Jacob Parrish: Kansas State Cornerback Rising Up 2025 NFL Draft Boards
The Kansas City Chiefs recently hosted their local pro day, offering NFL hopefuls a chance to showcase their skills. While many of the athletes in attendance are considered long longshots to make it onto an NFL roster, one name stood out among the rest: Jacob Parrish, a standout cornerback from Kansas State. Parrish is not only a local product but also a serious contender to be selected in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft—potentially as early as Day 2.
Hometown Roots and College Career
Jacob Parrish hails from Olathe North High School in Kansas and joined the Wildcats in 2022 as a three-star recruit. Since then, he’s become a fixture in K-State’s secondary, starting 24 games over the past two seasons. His college résumé includes:
102 total tackles
5 interceptions
5 tackles for loss
0.5 sacks
His performances caught the attention of scouts, leading to an invitation to the prestigious Senior Bowl. There, he held his own against elite talent, further boosting his draft stock.
Impressive NFL Combine Showing
Parrish turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine with exceptional athleticism. He ran a blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash and posted a 37.5-inch vertical leap — numbers that solidified his status as one of the draft’s more athletic defensive backs.
Despite measuring just under 5 feet 10 inches, his speed and explosiveness have made him one of the more talked-about cornerbacks entering the draft. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked him as the 67th-best prospect overall, meaning he could come off the board in the second or early third round.
round, the Chiefs may view him as too talented to pass up — even if he doesn’t solve an urgent problem.
Final Outlook
Jacob Parrish isn’t without his flaws, but he brings a rare mix of speed, smarts, and toughness to the table. He may not be a plug-and-play outside cornerback due to his size, but he projects as a reliable slot defender with upside in coverage and on blitzes.
His willingness to do the dirty work and make sound football decisions makes him a natural fit in any physical, scheme-diverse defense — including Kansas City’s. If the Chiefs believe they can refine his technique and cover up size deficiencies with creative usage, Parrish could be yet another mid-round gem to blossom in red and gold.
