Former Ohio cornerback Mark Parson has been invited to the Detroit Lions' first mini-camp this Thursday.
Things didn't go the way teams were telling me
they were kind of pulling my leg Parson said.
Parson's agent, Eugene Parker - who is also the agent of big-name, former NFL players such as Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and recent draftee Michael Crabtree - was contacted by Detroit Lions' general manager Martin Mayhew.
Parson said he was unsure about his contract situation other than he wouldn't sign until he at least got into camp.
Parson said he was told that in terms of making an NFL team, there is virtually no difference between a late-round pick and a free agent signing. Everyone, whether drafted or not, is liable to be cut from the team.
My ultimate goal is to make the team Parson said.
Parson had been working out at Prime U, a training program led by Deion Sanders, since early January. While he wasn't invited to the combine, he did participate in the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Game
Parson, who is listed at 5 feet 9 inches and 186 pounds, was a three-year starter for the Bobcats. In his senior season, he had 46 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups.
Parson said he ran a 4.53 40-yard dash, had a 38-inch vertical, a 9-foot-11-inch broad jump and bench pressed 225 pounds 12 times at Ohio's Pro Day on March 12.
Parson will be reunited with former Ohio defensive lineman Landon Cohen, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
It's great
man
Parson said. Knowing somebody will make me feel more comfortable
I won't be by myself.
But Parson did add he doesn't think Cohen had any influence on the Lions' choice to invite him to camp.
Parson becomes the second Bobcat to be invited to camp this season as Mike Mitchell was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round with the 47th pick overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.
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Joe Ragazzo
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