Texas High Star Defensive Lineman Leonard Parks Passes Away

Texas High senior defensive lineman Leonard Parks, one of the East Texas' brightest rising stars, passed away in his sleep Saturday night.

Tigers football coach Gerry Stanford confirmed to the Dallas Morning News that Parks died in his sleep while taking a nap. Cause of death is not immediately known.

Parks (6-5, 230) was a member of SMU's 2018 recruiting class. He committed to the Mustangs on July 29.

The physical defensive end also held Division I offers from Louisiana-Monroe, Missouri State, and Southern Illinois.

Parks was one of the standouts at the fifth annual ETSN.fm + APEC Recruiting Combine in Tyler in May. He shined during one-on-one drills, and earned honorable mention recognition at his position group.

He was also named to the 2017 ETSN.fm Preseason East Texas Football Super Team.

Several took to social media to express their condolences: