Blue-chip Florida State commitment Parks details weight loss

Da'Ron Parks is down more than 50 pounds since the summer

Dominant high school offensive lineman Da'Ron Parks has seen his prep career come full circle. 

The West Virginia native has been back in his home state after playing football in the state of Florida in 2024, where he turned plenty of heads and went on to shine even brighter against national competition during the spring camp circuit. 

A move back to Nitro (W.V.) High School has also come with physical change. The Florida State football commitment has worked to trim up his frame, operating more than 50 pounds lighter as a senior blocker. 

Parks said he once tipped the scales at 368 pounds. He now sits at 313. 

"I feel like I'm playing a lot lower, it's helping me a lot," he said. "It's making me more effective in getting to open space and blocking at the second level. It brings more versatility."

After committing to FSU in the summer, after official visits to several programs through May and June, the senior hit the ground running with one final prep campaign to prepare for. 

Parks has a desire to play offensive tackle in college, and he knew dropping weight would help to push towards that dream. From a consistent diet to working out beyond the requirements of his high school program, a shift in mentality has led to praise throughout the fall. 

"It was the Chipotle, really," he said (laughing). 

From hitting the hills in the morning to extra lifts in the evening, there wasn't a conventional skill he avoided during the climb. It led to multiple workouts five days a week. 

Many have noticed the new build, but the good news hit differently when it came from Parks' future position coach at Florida State.

"Coach (Herb) Hand came to one of my last games and my commitment to Florida State is strong," he said. "He is saying I'm looking a lot better since I lost the weight. He says he can't wait to develop me." 

Parks says FSU continues to make him feel like a priority recruit, despite continued attempts from SEC and Big Ten programs, maintaining contact with him daily despite his move away from the Sunshine State. 

That move back home has been aided by Nitro High's 6-1 start, validating many of the reasons the senior made the move. Most others center around the people in and around the game and his life.

"It's been great! I'm playing with all my guys, many who I played with or against growing up," Parks said. "I'm around my family, too. I'm going away for college so it's been good."