Football Recruiting Blog: 2029 QB Zach Parker has a new home

High-end 2029 quarterback Zach Parker has a new home. Parker spent his eighth-grade season at Rome and was expected to be the future of that program, but he has now transferred to Cherokee High School.

Despite not yet entering high school, Parker has already started receiving FBS offers. His first two came from Memphis and UAB. Standing at 6-foot-0, 170 pounds, he already has good size for his age and is expected to continue growing. Parker is a polished passer with excellent footwork and vision, traits that give him a legitimate chance to start as a freshman.

Cherokee is no stranger to high-level quarterbacks. Just four years ago, the Warriors had 4-star QB and Elite 11 finalist AJ Swann on the roster. Last season, Tanner Savasir threw for over 2,600 yards and 21 touchdowns, while also rushing for 543 yards and five scores, making him one of the most productive passers in Class 6A.

Second-year head coach Adam Holley is aiming to lead the program back to prominence after several difficult seasons. The 2024 campaign marked the Warriors’ most productive offensive season since 2016, and they’ll look to build on that momentum. The offensive line should be a strength again, giving Parker a solid foundation to develop behind. While the team will need to replace most of last year’s receiving corps, they should be expected to be able to reload effectively.

Cherokee should be in the mix for the No. 4 seed in the region, alongside teams like North Paulding and Etowah. Their non-region schedule should prepare them well for region play. They open against a solid River Ridge squad, face off with 5A quarterfinalist Sequoyah in Week 2, and finish non-region play with a consistently competitive Lambert team.

Region play will be a challenge, with powerhouse programs like Marietta, North Cobb, and Walton on the schedule. But if Cherokee takes another step forward, they have the talent to compete for a two or three seed.

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