Provo • Everyone will vote for the trick play.
When considering which of Parker Kingston’s two touchdowns Saturday afternoon was more notable, the BYU wide receiver throwing a 33-yard yard to running back LJ Martin clearly stands out.
Kingston, the former high school quarterback, couldn’t even see his target when he launched the ball from the other side of the field. Martin could barely see the ball when he caught it. It was arguably the biggest highlight of the No. 13 Cougars’ win over Arizona.
But Kingston would probably tell you you’re wrong.
The moment that mattered more came much earlier in the game. It was the second series and BYU was at the 20-yard line. The wide receiver lined up in the slot, ran an inside fade, won his one-on-one matchup and ripped away a jump ball for a touchdown.
That play showed Kingston’s evolution as a receiver. A year ago, he wouldn’t have won that ball. He wouldn’t even have gotten that play call — he was a gadget guy and nothing more.
“I’ve made it a point, and I’ve got to continue to make it a point, that he’s not just a gadget guy,” wide receiver coach Fesi Sitake said after practice a few weeks ago. “Can’t just run sweeps and trick plays. People have got to respect him as an all-around receiver. I have to play him on routes.”
Kingston has become an all-around threat. And because of that, he is rounding out a BYU offense that is looking more balanced by the week en route to a 6-0 start.
But a year ago, it was almost impossible to play him on traditional routes or traditional downs. Big 12 defenses pushed Kingston around. He only had one contested catch all season, according to Pro Football Focus. And he finished the year with only 26 targets in 10 games. That landed him fifth in the receiving room, well behind Chase Roberts’ 73.
BYU’s offense struggled as the receiving options became predictable and Kingston’s use was limited to specials.
“I was like 175 pounds, 174 pounds,” Kingston said. “I was getting thrown around and couldn’t make blocks.”
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) returns a punt for a touchdown during the game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Kansas State Wildcats in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
So this offseason, he went back to the weight room to bulk up. He’s now listed at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds.
And he has started to evolve into the player he told Sitake he’d be for this offense.
“He put on some really good weight. He’s gotten faster,” Sitake said. “Just way more confident.”
Kingston only has four catches on the year, but he’s averaging 21 yards a catch for 86 yards through the first half of the season. He’s still fourth in the receiving room. But that fourth option can give BYU multiple looks.
It’s helped the Cougars average 34 points per game and 247 yards through the air. Both are significant increases from last year’s totals of 23 points (102nd in the country) and 205 passing yards.
“He’s a guy who didn’t have a great few weeks of the season, frankly,” quarterback Jake Retzlaff said. “Had a drop or two in our first home game. But the guy just kept his head down and kept working. And now he gets to reap those rewards. That jump-ball catch today, that was awesome.”
Before that drive, Kingston went up to Sitake and said he could handle his man one-on-one this time. Kingston was blocking him on a run play on the first series of the game and felt he could push him back, instead of the other way around.
“I’m like, ‘Fes, I can get this guy on the inside fade.’ And he’s like, ‘OK.’ So the next drive we came down, same spot in the red zone, and he called it,” Kingston said. “I just had to make the play, because he called my name after I told him to run it. Confidence.”
Retzlaff knew where he was headed right as the ball was snapped.
“I had no doubt he was going to make that play,” he said. “When I saw the matchup and made my read, I was licking my chops.”
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) celebrates his punt return touchdown during the game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Kansas State Wildcats in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
Kingston still has all the gadget plays in his repertoire. Just this season, he ripped off a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown to knock off then-No. 13 Kansas State. And on Saturday, he added another passing touchdown to his ledger.
“I didn’t see LJ at all,” Kingston admitted on his touchdown throw to Martin. “Just figured where he’d be. So I threw it. I see the guy coming over, and I thought I was going to throw a pick. Like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’
“But it just went right over his hand. And LJ made a great grab. He couldn’t even see it. It was just sitting in the sun. So it was crazy.”
Kingston now has three competitions in his career and three passing touchdowns.
“Guy probably has a higher quarterback rating than me,” Retzlaff joked.
But for the first time in his college career, Kingston is more than an oddity.
And the Cougars are rolling behind their newfound depth at receiver.
