Parker Livingstone explains why he picked the Longhorns
In the latest On Texas Football, Inside Texas sat down with 2024 Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy WR Parker Livingstone to learn why he committed to the Longhorns and the factors that went into his decision.
[Join Inside Texas today and get the best Texas Longhorns insider team info and recruiting intel!]
Livingstone told Burton and Wells why he picked Texas over South Carolina, LSU, and others.
“I grew up a Texas fan, just being a little kid,” Livingstone said. “It’s been a dream school since I was a baby. I think I had the best opportunity to go and play there, and I think it’s the best fit for me and my family. They’ve got a great culture going on and I want to be a part of it. Ultimately, I want to win some national championships for the great state of Texas and for the university.”
Livingstone explained what appealed about the UT coaching staff.
“I just think the coaching staff,” Livingstone said. “I love all the coaches I’ve met. I’ve met some great coaches, but Coach Sark, Coach (Chris) Jackson, Coach (Kyle) Flood, Coach (Jeff) Banks, they’re all just amazing coaches. I’m excited to play for them. They’ve got something great going there. They’re going to have a great year this year, and we’re going to keep on rolling into that when we go to the SEC.”
Jackson’s coaching acumen was a major factor.
“Coach Jackson came from the NFL, and I think Texas fans should be really happy about him,” Livingstone said. “He was a great hire. He’s a great coach. He’s one of the best I’ve ever met, he’s probably the best coach I’ve met to coach this position. I really looking forward for him to coach me and make me better.”
Sarkisian’s ability was also important in his decision.
“He’s also another great coach, and I’m very excited for him to coach me as well” Livingstone said. “I think we can get it done in Austin.”
His official visit experience on June 23-25 was a big plus in his process with the Horns.
“It was unmatched,” Livingstone said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I hung out with the players and I got their side of it. They were all saying how everybody’s starting to buy in now and want to go 14-0. They want to win the national championship and win the Big 12. It was great to see because every program says they want to win but you don’t see the players buy in as much as I saw the players (buy in) at Texas.”
What does Livingstone bring to the table as a player?
“I think my biggest strength is obviously the deep ball, go routes, posts,” he said. “Use my secondary release on the DBs to get past them. I think that’s my biggest strength, and also getting the 50-50 balls. You don’t see receivers doing that now at any level, and I think it’s a crucial part of your game. I think it’s important. Starting to work more of the in routes. Our high school is more of a vertical option, so we don’t run those inside routes. Working those more when I get to the next level will help me.”
His older brother is also a college athlete as a pitcher for Texas Tech. He gave Parker the lowdown on what to expect in the process.
[Subscribe to the ON TEXAS FOOTBALL YouTube channel for daily videos from Inside Texas!]
“He was just, (go where) the best fit for you is and where you feel the most wanted,” Livingstone said. “If you’re wanted more and you’re higher on someone’s board, you’re probably going to get more opportunities than you are somewhere else. That’s a big thing for me because I obviously want to play and have dreams of making it to the NFL.”
Livingstone is an early enrollee. Livingstone is the No. 384 overall prospect, No. 65 wide receiver, and No. 63 prospect in Texas in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.
