Making big plays all over the field is what BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston does best.
Kingston will definitely be important for the No. 13 Cougars when they play Oklahoma State on Friday, just like he has been all season for BYU (6-0, 3-0 Big 12). So far, Kingston has thrown a 33-yard touchdown pass, caught a 20-yard touchdown pass, and returned a bobbled punt 90 yards for a score in one of the season’s craziest moments.
The redshirt sophomore ranks fourth in all-purpose yardage for BYU and averages 15.6 yards per play. He can create problems for the Cowboys (3-3, 0-3) on both offense and special teams.
“He’s just that type of guy that’s good at everything,” said BYU receiver Chase Roberts. “Throw him on the ping pong table and he’s going to whip you in ping pong.”
Kingston is one of only three players in Big 12 history to have multiple games where he has thrown a touchdown pass and caught a touchdown pass in the same game. He is on the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given each year to the nation’s most versatile player.
“He’s a great athlete with a high football IQ,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake. “He’s bought in to his role. He’s bought in to doing whatever he can do to help the team win, and I love having him on the team.”
Executing trick plays is quickly becoming Kingston’s trademark. He played quarterback at Roy High School in Utah and was a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard passer as a senior. Kingston has used that experience several times in college. He has thrown four passes over the past two seasons for the Cougars and completed three of them.
All three completions ended up being touchdown passes. Kingston credited BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick for knowing how to use his versatility in the game plan.
“He calls it at the right time every single time, and it’s always open,” Kingston said.
His speed helps Kingston be effective on both offense and special teams. He is one of the fastest players on BYU’s roster, with a 100-meter time of 10.79 seconds.
