The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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38 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2024 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY EJ HOLLAND M ichigan's third official visit week- end in June resulted in an impor- tant commitment when On300 New Orleans Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker gave the Wolverines a ver- bal pledge before leaving Ann Arbor. Parker, the No. 185 overall recruit and No. 14 running back nationally and No. 6 prospect in Louisiana, per On3, picked U-M over fellow finalists Duke, Geor- gia Tech and North Carolina. He rushed for 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior, including a 171-yard, 5-touch- down performance in a 43-28 win over Rummel. "I felt like I meshed really well with the staff," Parker said. "I love the way they are going. They are national cham- pionship contenders every year, and you have the pairing of coach Tony Alford, who has developed some of the best running back rooms I've seen in my lifetime. It just felt like a decision that I couldn't pass up. Michigan was in my top 3-5, so I knew it was a possibility. "After I got there and hung out with the staff and the players, and expe- rienced a day at Michigan, it felt like home. I didn't know I was going to com- mit going into the visit, but it felt right." Parker was the fourth prospect to choose Michigan under new head coach Sherrone Moore, who made a strong impression on him during his official visit. "Sitting down with Coach Moore was amazing," Parker said. "You can tell he has a real passion for Michigan as well as football and his players. He's a standup coach. He's an amazing role model. He really earned his stripes throughout his whole coaching career. I found it inter- esting that he's been on all parts of the staff. That's all you can ask for in expe- rience from the whole staff." Parker was also able to get in the film room with new Michigan offensive co- ordinator Kirk Campbell and Alford. "I really liked the plan they had for me," Parker said. "That means a lot. They showed me how well I meshed with the offense. They acknowledged that I'm a three-down back. I can catch the ball out of the backfield and go counter and power. "They said they want a layered back in their offense. That's something that Donovan Edwards does really well. He can do every type of run and catch the ball. They think they can use me in all the schemes and think I can be a great fit." Alford also received a boost from area recruiter Ron Bellamy, a fellow New Or- leans native who also attended Arch- bishop Shaw. "Coach Bellamy went to my high school, and we talk all the time," Parker said. "He was in my shoes making deci- sions like this. He told me why it was the right decision and choice. He talked to my parents about taking care of me." Aside from spending time with the staff, Parker also enjoyed bonding with some of his future teammates, including player host Jordan Marshall. "He just got there, and he said he loves it," Parker said. "He's competi- tive, and the competitive spirit is some- thing I can't shy away from. He told me a few things about the running back room. I like how all of those guys com- pete on the field and are family at the same time. It shows you how strong of a brotherhood Michigan has." When it came to presentations, Parker said he was extremely impressed with Michigan's strength and condi- tioning program. "I think their motto was 'It's not what you weigh, it's what you are made of,'" Parker said. "They went through a lot on body conditioning. They had a whole Excel spreadsheet from when you come in to when you leave. They have the guys from the portal doing it in six months. How much they keep on you and how much they care about what you are made of really impressed me." ❑ New Orleans Running Back Jasper Parker Joins U-M Class Parker is the No. 185 overall recruit and No. 14 running back nationally and No. 6 prospect in Louisiana, per On3. PHOTO COURTESY JASPER PARKER PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: Parker is a tough runner between the tackles who has the ability go the distance once he gets past the first level. He likes to get north and south on the majority of his carries, but he's a very ath- letic back at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds who is capable of catching the ball out of the backfield. Parker is very consistent and consistently keeps the chains moving. He has the makings of a reliable three-down back. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Parker breaks off long runs every now and then but can continue to work on his speed and explosiveness. He ran a hand-timed 4.6 40-yard-dash, which isn't bad but could use a bit of work. Parker could also add some more elusiveness to his game. He is listed at 200 pounds but still has a skinnier upper half that could use more bulk. MICHIGAN PLAYER COMPARISON: Parker was a big riser in the latest On3 rankings and could be a big steal for U-M in the same way Hassan Haskins was in the 2018 recruiting class. Haskins was also listed at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds and was a tough between-the-tackles runner with upside that didn't necessarily have the flash to his game. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. — EJ Holland