Brian Parker II

A Cincinnati native who won a state championship at local St. Xavier High School, Parker was selected by the Bengals in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft ... He compiled a noteworthy career at Duke University (2022-25), where he was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference in each of his final two seasons ... Also collected third-team All-America honors (Associated Press) in 2025, when he helped lead Duke to its first outright ACC title since 1962 ... Played in 40 career games for the Blue Devils, making 33 starts (27 at ROT, six at LOT) ... Named first-team all-state in his final two years at St. Xavier.

A Cincinnati native who won a state championship at local St. Xavier High School, Parker was selected by the Bengals in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft ... He compiled a noteworthy career at Duke University (2022-25), where he was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference in each of his final two seasons ... Also collected third-team All-America honors (Associated Press) in 2025, when he helped lead Duke to its first outright ACC title since 1962 ... Played in 40 career games for the Blue Devils, making 33 starts (27 at ROT, six at LOT) ... Named first-team all-state in his final two years at St. Xavier.

Career transactions: Selected by Cincinnati in sixth round of NFL Draft (189th overall) on 4-25-26 ... Signed with Bengals on 5-8-26.

Head coach Zac Taylor says: "Brian has a lot of flexibility along the offensive line. A local guy, St. X grad, played at Duke. We feel like there's a lot of flexibility there to play tackle, guard and center. He can really play all five positions for you. We're ready for him to get in here and compete."

College: Spent four seasons (2022-25) at Duke ... Played in 40 games with 33 starts (27 at ROT, six at LOT).

2025—Started 13 games at ROT ... Did not play in Sun Bowl vs. Arizona State on Dec. 31 ... Named third-team All-American (AP) and second-team All-ACC ... Credited with just three sacks allowed on 538 pass blocking snaps, per PFF ... Also graded by PFF as having the fifth-highest run blocking grade in regular season among Power Four tackles (85.5) ... Blocked for offense that led ACC and ranked 11th nationally in passing yards per game (285.4) ... Pass protected for QB Darian Mensah, who set several Duke single-season records including completions (334), passing yards (3973) and TD passes (34) ... Also contributed to RB Nate Sheppard setting school single-season freshman record with 1132 rushing yards ... Started in ACC Championship win over Virginia on Dec. 6, helping lead Duke to first outright conference title since 1962.

2024—Started all 13 games (12 at ROT, one at LOT) ... Named second-team All-ACC ... Offensive recipient of team's lineman of the year award ... Helped Duke rank second in ACC and tie for ninth nationally in fewest sacks allowed per game (0.92) ... Received highest pass blocking grade among ACC tackles, per PFF (85.5) ... Allowed zero sacks on 515 pass blocking snaps, per PFF ... Helped hold Mississippi to zero sacks in TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Jan. 2 ... Named to Academic All-ACC Team.

2023—Played in 12 games with seven starts (five at LOT, two at ROT) ... Did not play on Sept. 4 vs. Clemson ... Recipient of team's offensive rookie of the year award ... Part of offensive line that ranked third in ACC in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.31), and second in conference in TFLs allowed per game (4.77) ... Named to Academic All-ACC Team.

2022—Played in two games as a true freshman ... Lined up for eight total snaps, seeing action on Sept. 2 vs. Temple and Sept. 17 vs. North Carolina A&T.

High school: Attended St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati ... Helped the Bombers compile a 29-8 record during his career, highlighted by state championship in his junior season ... Served as a team captain in 2021 senior season ... Named Greater Catholic League (GCL) Offensive Lineman of the Year in each of final two seasons ... Also a two-time first-team All-GCL and all-district selection ... Named first-team all-state as a junior ... Lettered two seasons in lacrosse, helping team to regional championship in 2021.

Personal: Hometown is Cincinnati ... Cousin, Derek Lively II, played basketball at Duke, was a first-round NBA draft pick in 2023 and currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks ... Graduated from Duke in December 2025 with bachelor's degree in economics.

Last Updated July 2026