The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532537
PLAYER BIOS ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ MARCH 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 41 BY EJ HOLLAND It didn't take long for Jasper Parker to realize he wanted to be a Michigan Wolverine. The On300 running back out of New Orleans Archbishop Shaw notched an offer from Michigan in the spring and gave the Wolverines a verbal com- mitment on his official visit just a few months later. Parker remained solid to Michigan throughout the cycle despite pushes from schools in the South. Michigan simply felt like home. "I loved Michigan from the moment I was introduced to the program," Parker said. "They have such an enriching cul- ture. I built a great relationship with the coaching staff. "When I was on the visit, I felt like I had to commit. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. Michigan is such a prestigious school. Even my dad was like 'What are you waiting on?' I just had that feeling." Parker also has a special tie to Michi- gan wide receivers coach Ron Bel- lamy. Both are from New Orleans and attended Archbishop Shaw. Not only that, Bellamy and Parker also played for the same high school head coach, Hank Tierney. Needless to say, the pair built a strong bond. "It's amazing to have a person that's walked the same path as I have," Parker said. "We had the same head coach. We're from the same side of town. It means a lot. "The people at Michigan changed his life. He met his wife the first day he was there. Those are things that stick with you forever. I'm excited to see where my journey takes me." Bellamy initially offered Parker when Michigan was in the process of replac- ing former running backs coach Mike Hart. The Wolverines brought in Tony Alford from Ohio State in a splash off- season move. Parker didn't have a preexisting rela- tionship with Alford, but the two were able to quickly forge a bond. "The only problem with Michigan was they didn't have a running backs coach," Parker said "But I clicked with Coach TA immediately. When he got there, I was one of the guys on the board that stood out to him. "We built a strong relationship. We have the same mindset. We carry our- selves with a lot of honor and integrity. He's a great role model outside of foot- ball. That's what I was looking for in a coach." Parker, the No. 10 running back and No. 163 overall prospect nationally ac- cording to On3, rushed for more than 1,464 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior en route to leading Archbishop Shaw to a Louisiana Class 4A state championship. He is set to arrive at Michigan in June and believes he can play in a similar role as former star Donovan Edwards. "I saw a similarity between my high school scheme and Michigan," Parker said. "I watched a lot of the things they did this year. I see myself like Donovan Edwards. I think I can catch the ball and be versatile. I'm excited to see what my role will be this year and in the future." ❑ Future Wolverine RB Jasper Parker Has A Strong Connection On The Coaching Staff Parker grew up in the same neighborhood in New Orleans, attended the same high school and had the same high school coach as U-M assistant coach Ron Bellamy. PHOTO BY EJ JHOLLAND 2025 Projection Parker can be a depth piece for Michigan as a true freshman. He has good size at 6-foot, 211 pounds and can easily play closer to 230 pounds at the next level. Parker is at his best running between the tackles. He's capable of punishing defenders and gaining tough yards but also has enough speed to break off some long runs. He will likely grow into a more prominent role in the backfield later on in his career. STATISTICS Year Rush Yds. TD 2024 1,464 22 2023 1,119 16 HONORS • Selected to par cipate in the Polynesian Bowl all-star game. • Louisiana Football Coaches Associa on Class 4A All-State selec on as a senior. • Class 4A District 9 Offensive MVP as a senior and an all-district pick as a senior and junior. • Clarion Herald Elite Team member in 2023 and '24. RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan June 15, 2024, a er receiving offer in March 2024. • Picked U-M over Auburn, Georgia Tech, Okla- homa State and others. • Recruited by running backs coach Tony Alford. DID YOU KNOW? • Transferred from New Orleans Jesuit High to Archbishop Shaw for his senior season. • Set an Archbishop Shaw single-game record with 326 rushing yards. • Finished with 19 carries for 174 yards, includ- ing a 62-yard TD run, in the state tle game. • Also le ered in basketball. • A ended same high school (Shaw) as fellow U-M signee Jacob Washington and U-M wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy. • Born Sept. 29, 2006. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scou ng and rankings Charles Power: "Parker has very good size and is a strong runner. He showed good speed in the open field, outrunning an athle c second- ary for a long touchdown. The more and more we watch Parker, we feel he has the physical skill set, the toughness and well-rounded abil- ity to be an every-down running back. He's a taller, longer body type, but he runs hard and physical. He catches the ball well. He has the poten al to be a three-down back with the skill set he shows." JASPER PARKER RUNNING BACK 6-0 • 211 ARCHBISHOP SHAW HIGH MARRERO, LA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 284 20 11 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 163 10 7 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 69 30 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 42 23 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 181 10 7 INDUSTRY