DeVante Parker is a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins. Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, Parker was a three-sport star in track, football and basketball for Ballard High School. Parker elected to stay local and play college football at Louisville. Parker exploded in his final collegiate season, averaging 142.5 receiving yards per game before injury cut his senior season short. The Miami Dolphins drafted Parker with the 14th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. After an inconsistent four years in the NFL, Parker finally showed his potential in his 5th NFL season in 2019. Parker finished 2019 with 72 receptions for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns.
DeVante Parker attended Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Parker was a three-sport athlete in football, track and basketball. In his junior season, Parker totaled 73 catches for 1,438 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named co-Paul Hornung Award winner as the state’s top player. In his senior season, Parker caught 68 passes for 1,793 yards and 19 touchdowns. He finished his career with 3,274 receiving yards, fifth-most in state history.
Parker chose to attend Louisville over Kentucky, Indiana and UCF. He saw limited action as a freshman but did lead the team with six receiving touchdowns on just 18 receptions. In his sophomore season, Parker led the team with 744 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on just 40 receptions.
As a junior, Parker hauled in 55 receptions for 885 yards and a school record-tying 12 receiving touchdowns. Injury limited Parker’s senior season to just six games. However, he still managed to total 43 catches for 855 yards and five touchdowns. Parker finished his career with 156 receptions for 2,775 yards and 33 touchdowns. He averaged 17.7 yards per reception.
Parker was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 14th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Parker appeared in 14 games, starting in four. He caught 26 passes for 494 yards and three touchdowns. He doubled his starts to eight the following season, upping his season totals to 56 receptions for 744 yards and four touchdowns.
In 2017, Parker became a regular starter for the Dolphins, making 12 starts in 13 games. On 96 targets, Parker caught 57 passes for 670 yards and one touchdown. In 2018, Parker appeared in just 11 games, starting only seven. He finished 2018 with just 24 receptions for 309 yards and one touchdown.
After two disappointing seasons, Parker showed his potential in 2019 with a career year. He finished the season with 72 receptions on 128 targets, 1,202 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. All career highs. In 2020 Parker saw another drop off, finishing with 63 receptions for 793 yards and four touchdowns.
DeVante Parker signed a four-year deal worth $30.5 million. Through six NFL seasons, Parker has earned nearly $32 million. In 2021, Parker is set to earn over $8.3 million. Parker has had a number of endorsement deals throughout his career including Adidas, Tide, Gillette, Pantene, Olay, and Procter & Gamble. He has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
DeVante Parker is the son of former Louisville running back Anthony Shelman. He has one daughter.
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