Wide receiver Jay Parker had a career-best 10 catches and 145 yards earlier this month against Lindenwood. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
Catching 10 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown Sept. 16 was the biggest day for Western Illinois wide receiver Jay Parker in his college football career.
At 5-foot-6 and 144 pounds, Parker has stood tall among Western’s wide receivers in a 43-40 loss to Lindenwood. The Nashville native and former Austin Peay wideout helped Western score 40 or more points in a game for the first time since Sept. 19, 2021 – a wild 62-56 loss to Eastern Washington in Macomb.
In our Moving the Chains Q&A series, Parker shares how few people know his given name, his love of hot chicken, his appreciation for fashion and which WIU football players could help the Leathernecks’ basketball team.
Your birthday is Dec. 22. Has anyone ever given you a combined birthday/Christmas present?
That’s something I deal with every year. I only look forward to one of the days, honestly. I only get treated on one of those days — either the 22nd or the 25th. I prefer the 22nd. I don’t like waiting.
How did your given name — Jimmyrious Raquan — get shortened to Jay?
My older brother’s name is Jimmy. I came after him, so my mother just called me Jimmyrious using his name. But it was just easier to say Jay. When people tried to pronounce the whole name, it would get all messed up. So I just prefer Jay.
Not many (people know my given name). There’s a couple of people on the team who know it. Ludo (WIU running back Ludovick Choquette) came up to me the other day and told me my real name. It was funny because he never knew.
You were a finalist in high school for the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Award? Do you remember who won that year?
His name is Darius James (a running back from Fairview High School), and he ended up going to a juco and then to Middle Tennessee State University.
Being from Nashville, do you have a favorite Titans player of all time?
I’m going to go with (running back) Derrick Henry.
How many Titans games did you attend growing up?
I’ve been to quite a few. My aunt had season tickets, so anytime she didn’t want to go to a game, she’d give them to me and my brother.
You wore No. 12 early in your college career but switched to No. 1. Why did you change?
In high school, I wanted to wear No. 1 but I couldn’t because my older brother was No. 1. So I had to get 2. My first year at Austin Peay, I had to get 12 because (wide receiver) D.J. Montgomery had No. 1. The next year, after he (went to the NFL), I ended up getting it.
Are there other athletes in your family?
My brother, Jimmy, went to Alabama State. He graduated from there and played quarterback. He’s now the offensive coordinator at my high school, Pearl-Cohn in Nashville.
Do you keep up with other football games?
My high school, I try to watch them every Friday night. They started streaming their games this year.
What’s your opinion on the gold jerseys that Western wore for the first time against Lindenwood?
I love them. Everybody loves them. We got nothing but compliments about them. I really like the gold. We will probably wear them one more time.
During one of your team picture days at Austin Peay, you wore a bowtie. Should the bowtie make a comeback?
The bowtie should. I’m a pretty big fashion guy, and I love shoes and cleats. I don’t necessarily have a favorite brand. I like a little bit of everything. Whatever catches my eye and looks good to me, I’ll get it.
Who on the team has the best fashion sense and who has the worst?
(Laughs) We have a guy on our team, Donald McKinney, and he has his own clothing line. His nickname is “Drip,” so I’ll give (best fashion) to him. The worst drip on the team? I would say (defensive lineman) Jake Detiveaux. Jake is a t-shirt and sweats guy, and workout gear.
What’s your favorite meal after a game?
A pepperoni pizza from Domino’s.
What is a popular site in Nashville that you’ve never visited?
I’ve never been to the Nashville Zoo.
What are three things that first-time visitors to Nashville have to do?
They must go to Broadway (Street, the entertainment district). They have to get Nashville hot chicken. And, they must go to a place called The Gulch (a neighborhood with restaurants and boutiques).
What spice level do you like your Nashville hot chicken?
I like it hot, but not the extreme. I have gone too far. (Laughs) It wasn’t pretty.
Do you have a favorite spot in the Macomb area to hang out?
Chick’s on the Square (bar and grill) is a place I go just to eat, chill and watch games. I spend my free time there.
If you competed in another college sport, what would it be?
Track and field. In high school, I ran the 100 meters, the 4×100 and 4×200 (relays) and the open 200. My best (100) time was a 10.4 (seconds) in the state meet. I took third place (as a senior).
If new WIU head basketball coach Chad Boudreau needed five football players to fill in at practice, who would you choose?
I’d play point guard because I’m more of a passer. I’m going to go with (quarterback) Matt Morrissey. He would play small forward. I’d go with (wide receiver) Jaylin Jackson at shooting guard because he can shoot. I’d go with (cornerback) J.J. Ross at power forward. He can jump, and he’d be good for defense and boards. I’d go with (WR) Donald McKinney (at center).
Is there one thing you love to eat, but don’t during the season?
Hot chicken. I try to stay away from it, but it’s my favorite.
Who’s a person that inspires you in life?
I’d say (Miami Dolphins WR) Tyreek Hill because of his height (5-10) and how big his heart is. He inspires me every week.
What’s your dream job after college?
Professional football. I just want a shot. After football, I’d love to be a realtor. I’d like to sell property, buy property, fix property up and rent it out to others.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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