Da'Ron Parks

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-5, 310 lbs. Taller than 74% and heavier than 67% of 2026 Interior Offensive Line prospects in the SEC Scouts database (207 with a listed size).

Play Style

Based on his profile and usage (no verified film breakdown was found, so this is inferred): a big-bodied drive blocker who wins with mass and upper-body strength. His best work is on down blocks, double teams, and running at the defender in a downhill run game. As Nitro's left tackle he took pass-protection reps, but his frame and the analysts' IOL label suggest that in college he projects as a guard who anchors against bull rushes and moves defenders off the ball in gap/power schemes. The main questions are how well he reaches and climbs on zone blocks and how quickly he recovers when beaten by quickness.

Strengths

• Size and power: a 310–360 lb build on a 6-5 frame. The interior-line projection from 247Sports and Rivals points to his mass and anchor as his calling cards.
• Tackle experience: he played left tackle as a senior on a Nitro team that went 12-1 and reached the Class AAA final, the program's best season since 2005. Pass-protection reps on an island help a lineman who moves inside, and give him position flexibility.
• Tested against better competition: he played at Hurricane (WV) in 2023, then at Florida power Cardinal Mooney as a junior, before returning to Nitro. That Florida year gave him tape against stronger competition than typical West Virginia AAA opponents.
• Earned All-State and All-Conference honors as a sophomore and junior (per the UNC roster bio).
• Rated as the top lineman in West Virginia: Rivals has him #1 in the state (#41 IOL, #400–#442 overall), and 247Sports has him #2 in the state (3★ 88, #47 IOL).

Areas to Improve

• Weight control and conditioning: the 310–360 lb range is a red flag. He needs to settle at a playable weight (probably 315–325 inside) that keeps his bend, second-level range, and ability to play a full game.
• Staying healthy and getting reps: he is out for the 2026 season with an injury. That means no fall practice reps, which slows the technique work (hand placement, pad level, combination blocks) that young linemen need most.
• Stability: four stops in about three years (Hurricane, Cardinal Mooney, Nitro, and the UNC signing that fell through) before arriving at Marshall. He needs to show consistency and dependability in one program.
• Pass-protection footwork against speed: if he stays on the edge, heavy-set linemen tend to struggle to mirror speed rushers. That weakness is a big reason evaluators project him to guard.

College Projection

At Marshall (Sun Belt): 2026 is effectively a medical/redshirt year, and he is expected back in January 2027 for spring practice. If he gets healthy and settles his weight around 315–325, he can realistically compete for a guard spot in 2027 as a redshirt freshman and become a multi-year starter from 2027 or 2028. Marshall offers a faster path to playing time than UNC or FSU would have. If his development takes off, he would be a candidate to move up via the transfer portal.

NFL Outlook

Long-term and uncertain. His Power 4 offers show pro-level size and power potential, but the missed season, weight swings, and unsettled recruitment make any draft projection premature. A realistic path is several productive years as a Group of 5 starting guard, followed by Day 3 or priority free-agent consideration if his testing and body composition come together. The upside that drew Alabama and Georgia offers is still there, but it depends on him staying healthy and in shape.

Best Fit

A gap/power, downhill run scheme that uses him as a mauling guard: pulls in short space, double teams, and duo, with little asking him to reach-block across the field. A program with a strong strength and nutrition staff and patience for development is essential. Marshall under Tony Gibson, with an early chance to play in the Sun Belt, is a reasonable fit if the medical recovery goes to plan.