Fox 16/VYPE Top 16 — No. 4: Pulaski Academy Offensive Lineman Parker Mack

For two seasons Pulaski Academy’s Parker Mack learned from some of the better linemen in the state. Now, it’s his turn to teach.

“I will lead by example,” Mack said. “I just try to show them what’s right and what to do, not as much getting in their face and trying to be too aggressive.

“We have a young line. They are mature for their age, but they are still young. We’re still trying to get all the loose ends tied up of who is going to what position, but we should be pretty solid.”

The burly left tackle ranks No. 4 in the Fox 16/VYPE Top 16 Central Arkansas football players’ countdown.

Mack (6-4, 305), a member of the VYPE Super Squad, was the only underclassman on the line with a group of veterans that included all-state center Dave Grundfest and Austin Noonan, who signed with Army.

None of the veterans was particularly vocal, but Noonan did offer some pointers. Now, Mack finds himself returning the favor to four new fresh faces.

“It meant a lot. It showed (Noonan) really cared about the team and the offensive line in general,” Mack said. “I’ve already helped Allen Wyatt, he is at the position I was. I’ve sat down with him a couple of times and gone through some stuff. I try to help what I can with Coach (Pip) Runyan (line coach).”

Mack (300-pound bench press, 500-pound squat, moves from right tackle to left tackle to anchor the line.

“It puts some pressure on me,” Mack said. “I know we have to put a better line together. We have a lot of younger guys that don’t have a lot of experience. They need to step up and play like upperclassmen.”

Mack spent the offseason preparing for his leadership role and sorting through college offers. He whittled his short list to Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Illinois after being offered by Boston College, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Syracuse, Rice, Princeton and Dartmouth.

The studious Mack (4.1 GPA, 32 ACT) is as concerned about academic programs as he is with football tradition.

He’ll take more visits, and make a decision closer to signing day. As the season opens, his focus is on leading an inexperienced team to back-to-back 5A state titles.


“A lot of people have counted us out because we lost so many seniors,” Mack said. “We do have a lot of replacements. We just need to make sure they can step in and do the job.”