When the name fits – Bingham’s Parker Workman

By Irelynd Brown

Photos by Dave Argyle (DBA Photography) & Kurt Johnson

Parker Workman is a good friend, a hard-worker and a mean outside linebacker. Since he was eight years old, Workman has harbored a passion for football.

Bingham linebacker Parker Workman is a core piece of a dominant defense. (Photo by Dave Argyle, dbaphotography.com)

From drills on the sled in little league, to Coach Dave Peck’s hardcore conditioning, Workman has always had a smile on his face.

“He’s a super nice kid.” said Sam Frandsen, one of Workman’s teammates at Bingham.

As outside linebacker, Workman’s job is essential to the overall success of Bingham’s team and instrumental to the team’s booming record so far this season. A year ago, as a junior, the Miners’ second-leading tackler often operated under the radar.

Peck, who retired as the Bingham head coach at the end of the 2014 season, spoke often about Workman, who at the time was receiving limited attention from college scouts. He finished that junior year with 85 tackles and 15 quarterback sacks.

“He’s a man among boys,” Peck told Preps Utah. “He’s athletic. He’s quick and he’ll come and just knock the crap out of people. There’s not a better kid as a football player. 41 is a stud. Parker Workman just destroys everything. He’s the reason offenses can’t function.”

Playing Bingham football since age 11, Workman has only ever lived up to his punny, yet realistic last name. He believes the effort and work you put into the game delivers the results.

“A good work ethic is really all you need,” Workman said.

Through his success on the field and off, this strategy has definitely paid off.

“He gives a hundred percent every time,” says Tongi Langi, Bingham’s star safety and one of Workman’s good friends.

Though he’s often playing through injuries, including trouble with the disks in his back, Workman refuses to quit.

Parker Workman will play his college football at the Air Force Academy. (Photo by Kurt Johnson)

“Sometimes I get stingers, but that can’t stop me from playing the game,” Workman says.

It all comes down to team with Bingham football, and the senior linebacker talks about some of the team’s unifying traditions. The team performs the haka before each game because of they way it pumps them up. He says another of the Miners’ good-luck rituals is, “just lotsa classic rock.”

While there were concerns about the number of looks Workman got from colleges as a junior, the prospects of such a hard-worker have changed and Workman’s plans for after high school are already set and ready to go.

He has committed to play for the Air Force Academy Falcons next season, and he will reach his goal of a Division 1 college football opportunity.  His future on the field seems decided, but we can certainly expect many more pleasant surprises for this hard worker.

Bingham High student Irelynd Brown wrote this story as part of the Preps Utah student journalism program.