Moving on Up: Quarterback Curry Parham Signs with Tabor College
Allan Hancock College quarterback and Santa Maria native Curry Parham signed a letter of intent Thursday to play football for Tabor College, a successful program that competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Parham became the eighth Hancock football player from the 2015 team to earn an opportunity to play at a four-year institution.
"Transferring to a four-year and playing football at the next level was always the goal when I started at Hancock," said Parham, who graduated from St. Joseph High School. "I am very proud that I earned a chance to play another two years and receive a quality education."
Located in Hillsboro, Kansas, Tabor College is coming off an 11-2 season that included the program's first Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) title since 2005. The Bluejays finished the regular season ranked eighth in the NAIA Top 25 poll, and earned the right to host the college's first home playoff game. The Bluejays knocked off No. 9 Doane College 16-14 before falling to No. 1 Morningside in the NAIA quarterfinals.
Head coach Mike Gardner owns a career record of 63-27 (.700) in eight seasons at Tabor College. The four-time KCAC Coach of the Year has led the Bluejays to the NAIA postseason in four of his eight seasons at Tabor.
"They think I'll fit in quite good. They run a triple-option offense and I've been running that ever since my four years of high school, some of it here, too. I believe the chance to run the triple-option at Hancock really prepared me for the next level, as did lining up against the great competition we played against," said Parham.
In 18 career games at quarterback for the Bulldogs, Parham completed 191 of 389 passes (49.1 percent) for 2,355 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for 363 yards on 112 carries and four touchdowns on the ground.
In 2015, Parham started nine games for the 4-6 Bulldogs. He completed 71 of his 154 passes for 1,021 yards, seven touchdown passes and two interceptions. The sophomore also rushed for 188 yards on 38 carries and two rushing touchdowns.
Parham suffered a knee injury in the penultimate game of the 2015 season. He underwent surgery in the offseason. He said Tabor coaches are not concerned about his recovery.
"They're completely fine with everything," said Parham. "There were a few moments after my injury where I thought I might not play anymore. But as I kept getting through it and the faster I got through the rehab, I realized I can play again, if not this year, then year after that. I'm very confident I'll be back at 100 percent."
Parham plans to pursue a coaching career after graduating from Tabor College.
Earlier this year, Hancock football's Kevon Perry (Louisiana-Lafayette), Malik Williams (Louisville), DaMarion King (Louisiana Tech), Elijah Holt (Southern Utah), Isaiah Hill (McPherson), Emose Haukaulua (McPherson) and Rafael Arellano (South Dakota School of Mines) signed with four-year institutions.