Written By
Tony Thomas
Contributor
Written By
Tony Thomas
Contributor
The Ohio Bobcats are coming off a 2024 campaign that included an 11-3 record and the Mid-American Athletic Conference (MAC) title. The leader of that campaign returns in 2025 as a conquering hero, quarterback Parker Navarro.
A native of Tempe, Arizona, he once accounted for eight touchdowns and 543 total yards in a high school game. That got the attention of college recruiters. Navarro had a breakout year last season after what had been, up to that point, a stagnate collegiate career that started at UCF.
Stuck behind Ohio starter Kurtis Rourke, Navarro played the good soldier and waited his turn, which came about in 2024 when Rourke transferred to Indiana.
Last season, Navarro led a Bobcats offense that averaged 405 yards per game, which was tops in the MAC. Navarro accounted for 3,469 yards of total offense, 31 total touchdowns and completed 66 percent of his passes.
On their march to a championship, Navarro led the Bobcats on a seven-game winning streak to finish the season and they hoisted the MAC championship trophy for the first time in five decades.
Navarro posted five total TDs against both Eastern Michigan and Ball State and gained over 100 yards rushing in six of his games. 16 of his 18 rushing TDs came after he missed the game at Kentucky in Week 4.
For his efforts, Navarro earned second-team All-MAC honors.
In the MAC Championship Game in Detroit, Navarro accounted for four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) for 346 total yards in a 38-3 in a Motor City beat down of Miami (OH).
Navarro will lead a 2025 Bobcats offense that returns seven starters, including three of the top four receivers from the MAC championship team of a season ago. He is one of the top returning and most productive quarterbacks, not only in the conference but nationally as well. Expectations are high in 2025 as the Bobcats should contend for another MAC championship.
