A grad transfer from the Ivy League, Thome was superb in his only season with the Commodores’ punter… He finished the regular season ranked fourth in SEC with a 44.9 yard average… Thome’s average matched Richard Kent’s 2012 performance as the fourth highest in Vanderbilt history… Had 15 punts of at least 50 yards, ranking third in the SEC, and 17 punts downed inside the 20-yard line… Averaged 46.0 yards in SEC-only games, and 46.8 yards in the month of November… Thome was superb in Vanderbilt’s win over Tennessee, setting a single-team team record by averaging 55.3 yards on three punts, including a season-long effort of 62 yards… In the team’s win over Ole Miss, Thome averaged 43.2 yards, with four of five punts downed inside the Rebel 20-yard line… Posted four punts of more than 50 yards against South Carolina, and averaged 46 yards on four punts at Notre Dame.
COLLEGIATE CAREER (at COLUMBIA)
Named first-team All-Ivy League during the 2017 seaosn after leading the Ivy League and ranking 11th nationally with a 42.9 yards per punt average… Earned team’s Special Teams Award after regular season, given to one player who stands out on special teams… Helped Lions rank third nationally in punt return defense (3.3) and 13th nationally in net punting (38.6)… Also served as team’s holder on field goal and extra point attempts.
HIGH SCHOOL
Lettered three years at Hortonville HS where he earned first-team All-Bay Conference and All-Region as a punter… As senior, averaged 46.5 yards as punter and caught six passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns… Lettered in basketball and baseball, earning All-Area on the diamond as an outfielder… Class valedictorian… National Honor Society.
PERSONAL
Parker Alan Thome… Born Aug. 11, 1995… Son of Paul and Allison Thome… Has one older brother, Christopher… Worked as a research assistant at the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery… Will become third Columbia punter in two years to kick for a SEC school – Cameron Nizialek (Georgia 2017) and Matthew Panton (Kentucky 2017)… Avid jazz musician… Completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Columbia in May 2018… Named to NFF Hampshire Society and nominated for CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. He is working toward a Masters of Marketing from the Owen School of Management.
VANDERBILT SEASON HIGHS
Total Punts: 7, at Kentucky, 10/20/2018
Punting Average: 55.3 yards, vs. Tennessee, 11/24/2018
Punts of 50+ Yards: 4, vs. South Carolina, 9/22/2018
Punts Inside the 20-Yard Line: 4, vs. Ole Miss, 11/17/2018
Longest Punt: 62, vs. Tennessee, 11/24/2018