For the horde of college football recruiters who descended on Lufkin High School over the past two years, it was all a matter of the chase for the Holy Grail, the platinum record or the $50 million state lotto.

It was about fawning for Panthers quarterback Reggie McNeal.

But lost in the hysteria to sign one of the nation’s premier players was a defensive lineman with an unusual name and irregular build.

"It was like a bunch of men going in a bar," says Lufkin head coach John Outlaw. "All they want to do is look at the pretty girl. Once she determines where she’s going to go, then you start looking at the others. They wanted to look at McNeal. Nobody wanted to watch film on anybody else."

Nobody wanted to know the gist on Ju.

But the Texas A&M coaching staff, in its bid to sign McNeal, didn’t leave Lufkin without turning over all the rocks to find a rock in the middle: Julian "Ju" Parks.

At 6-foot-1 and 320 pounds, it would seem to be difficult to miss Parks, but many schools did. Yet, the nose guard prospect was a key playmaker defensively for the Panthers as they surged to the Class 5A Division II state title.

In the championship game against Austin Westlake, both McNeal and Parks injured ankles. And both performed like all-stars to lead their team to a 38-24, come-from-behind victory.

"I think he’s probably one of the biggest steals in the state of Texas," Outlaw said. "I don’t think (the Aggies) have any idea of what they got. Once he gets there and drops some weight… the big boy can move."

Indeed, he can. Parks used his quick footwork as an offensive lineman for three years, before he moved to the defensive side of the ball as a senior. There he became an all-district selection in one of the toughest districts in the state of Texas.

As a four-year standout for Outlaw, Parks started 58 straight games. He likely will redshirt at A&M, as he attempts to lose some weight. Outlaw said Parks could lose 30 pounds and arrive at his optimum weight of 290.

"I can’t control his diet," says Outlaw, "but they can over there."

Parks was a quiet addition to the A&M class, but a much-needed one in the ever-elusive chase for quality defensive linemen. The Aggies signed four defensive linemen in this class, and Parks represents the fourth Lufkin player signed by A&M over the last three years. Strong safety Terrence Kiel will be a senior this fall, while linebacker LeBrandon Shepard was released from the team last fall for disciplinary reasons. McNeal was the crown jewel of the A&M signing class on Feb. 6.

"They’re going to find that he’s just not big and fast, but the sucker is super strong and has great character," Outlaw added. "He makes everyone around him better."

Parks is a quality basketball player for the Panthers, as he clogs up the middle with his beefy body. Yet, the word on Parks still will be one of mystery for those not familiar with the athletics of Angelina County.

"Once he gets there, they’re going to find what a truly great person he is and that he is a very good athlete," Outlaw said. "You ought to watch him play basketball. We obviously had a great player in Reggie, and we had some other great players. But when you play defensive tackle, you’re just not as pretty as our quarterback. Had he been a running back or someone else, it might have been different."

– Homer Jacobs