NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Parker Navarro, QB – Ohio
3.96 GPA – Integrated Health Studies
Head Coach: Brian Smith | Athletics Director: Slade Larscheid
Faculty Athletics Representatives: Aimee Edmondson, Chris Thompson
Woody and Anne Hayes Scholar-Athlete Award
A formidable dual-threat quarterback, Parker Navarro has been a transformative force for the Ohio Bobcats on the field while establishing himself as the consummate student-athlete in the classroom. The Tempe, Arizona, native becomes the first NFF National Scholar-Athlete in the history of the Ohio program.
Navarro graduated summa cum laude in August 2023 with a degree in Integrated Health Studies and a 3.96 GPA, and he completed a master's in management in December 2024 with a 3.95 GPA. A 2024 Academic All-Mid-American Conference selection, he is currently pursuing a sports nutrition certificate.
A three-year letterman and two-year team captain, Navarro led the Bobcats in 2024 to their first MAC title since 1968, earning MAC Championship Offensive Player of the Game honors. The 2024 season also marked the program's first 11-win season and was capped by a Cure Bowl victory where Navarro earned MVP honors. His contributions also helped the Bobcats notch a win in the 2023 Myrtle Beach Bowl, giving the program six straight bowl game wins, the first MAC program ever to accomplish the feat.
In 2024, Navarro became the first quarterback in Ohio program history to surpass 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season and is only the second Bobcat quarterback to ever log more than 1,000 rushing yards in a season. During his career, he accumulated 335 completions for 4,122 yards and 25 touchdowns, adding 268 rushes for 1,669 yards and 22 TDs in his Ohio career. In 2024, he led the MAC with 8.3 points per game.
Thus far in 2025, he has passed for 1,471 yards and 9 touchdowns while rushing for 441 yards and 4 touchdowns, leading the MAC in total yards (1,912) and yards per game (273.1) while ranking third in passing efficiency (145.4). Navarro also played two seasons (2020–21) at UCF.
Off the field, Navarro has represented Ohio at MAC Media Day.
(All stats as of Oct. 22, 2025)
