Ohio Bobcat Football QuarterbackParker Navarro Has Been Removed From Team Roster Due To His….

The 23-year-old has completed 66% of his passes for 2,169 yards with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 935 yards and a school-record 15 touchdowns.

“All opportunities are good opportunities to learn and grow and he was able to learn and grow a lot through his time here and he’s flourished with us this season,” said Ohio coach Brian Smith. “I’m sure he’s looking at this as an opportunity to show what he can do in an area where he started his college career.”

Both teams are playing with new coaches.

Quick slant: Jacksonville State has played back-to-back bowl games following the transition from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2023. … Ohio is making its second appearance in an Orlando bowl game, its first since the 1968 Tangerine Bowl when the Bobcats lost to the Richmond Spiders, 49-42.

While Navarro’s time with UCF was short — he entered the transfer portal in April 2022 before signing with Ohio University — several years later he still has an appreciation for what his time with the Knights meant.

“There was a lot of growth and development for me as a player,” said Navarro. “I didn’t get much opportunity on the field, but a lot of that growth can happen at practice, especially being behind a quarterback like Dillon Gabriel for two years. As a friend and as a player, he’s helped me so much.

“My time here at UCF meant a ton to me and that patience during that time and even at Ohio is coming to fruition now.”

Navarro is wrapping up his third season with the Bobcats, his first as the full-time starter, having helped lead the team to a Mid-American Conference Championship — its first title since 1968. A win against Jacksonville State in Friday’s StaffDNA Cure Bowl will earn Ohio its first 11-win season