Oklahoma State University Athletics
Parker Robertson: Walk-on to Starter
October 24, 2024 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - From joining the team as a walk-on in 2021 to earning his first start last week at BYU, Parker Robertson is continuing to beat the odds.
The Rockwall, Texas, native came to Oklahoma State without a scholarship and took a redshirt 2021. In 2022, Robertson played in 12 of 13 games, wrapping up the year with seven total tackles, and he was named OSU's special teams player of the week against Iowa State.
A year later he was voted a season captain by his teammates in 2023 after playing more than 230 special teams snaps and serving a big role on the coverage units.
His biggest play that year came at West Virginia, when he forced a WVU player into his own return man and caused a muffed punt. He immediately fell on the loose ball and set the Cowboys up for the go-ahead touchdown that led to the win. He finished that season with 13 total tackles, a forced fumble and the fumble recovery.
His contributions did not go unnoticed, and he was rewarded with a scholarship before the 2024 season.
Robertson's upward trajectory has continued from there, and last week the redshirt junior, who was already on pace for a career year, got his number called on to start on defense for the Cowboys.
"Getting my first start was definitely a big steppingstone. As the game went on, I got more and more comfortable. Going through and trusting the system," Robertson said. "I've practiced just as many reps as everyone else. Just stepping into the shoes and being able to trust my teammates, they have my back. It worked pretty well."
In his first career start coming on the road against BYU, Robertson tallied double-digit tackles with 11 total, eight of which were solo stops. He added a pass breakup and an interception in the red zone that he returned for 12 yards.
Veteran defensive leader Collin Clay sees first-hand the dedication that Robertson has day in and day out and was not surprised to see Robertson's success.
"Parker is a great dude," Clay said. "He's put in a lot of work on special teams. He works his tail off every single day, so it did not surprise me when it was his time to get into the game and he excelled. It did not surprise me at all. I'm proud of him for that."
This week of film was a little longer for Robertson, as he played in all 65 defensive snaps for the Cowboys.
"It's definitely different because I'm usually only a special teams guy," Robertson said. "Going in and watching in depth all 65 plays, I could've been better here, a little bit better feet here, a little bit better eyes here and there, getting that experience, watching all 65 plays, and just growing as a football player, knowing where and what to do in certain situations."
Seven games into the 2024 season, the former walk-on has 24 total tackles, a tackle for a loss, a pass breakup and an interception. Despite his smaller 5-foot-11 frame, Robertson does not shy away from contact.
"Football is a physical sport," Robertson said. "You have to throw your body around. You can't be afraid of contact, and especially at 180 pounds. I have to be able to take a little contact. I just have to throw my body in there and hope for the best."
Robertson's success goes beyond just inside the white lines. He earned 2022 and 2023 First Team Academic All-Big 12 honors and made the 2023 CSC Academic All-District Team for his academic excellence.
From walk-on to starter, Robertson can't wait for what's ahead.
"It's surreal," Robertson said. "If you ask senior-in-high-school Parker, he wouldn't have thought he would be in this situation. The constant grind, effort and time I've put in is a surreal moment. I can't wait to keep pushing forward."
