4-star RB Jamarion Parker decommits from Arkansas

St. Louis Cardinal Ritter College Prep four-star running back Jamarion Parker announced his commitment to Arkansas on Sept. 1. A key reason why he chose the Razorbacks was because of associate head coach/running backs coach Jimmy Smith. 

Following Arkansas’ 2023 season, Smith departed Fayetteville for TCU to become the Horned Frogs’ running backs coach. This move played a pivotal role in Parker deciding to back off his pledge to Arkansas. 

“I started thinking about this when coach Jimmy Smith left for TCU,” Parker told On3. “… With coach Smith leaving, I feel like it is time to open up my recruitment.” 

Big 12 and Big Ten schools are now in pursuit of Parker

The Razorbacks are still showing “a lot of interest” in Parker, who is being pursued by multiple schools following his decommitment. They include Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska and TCU. 

The 6-foot-0, 185-pound tailback has already set visits to the Cornhuskers and Horned Frogs for later in the spring. His trip to Fort Worth will likely offer a chance to reunite with Smith in person. 

“He is a real coach and he’s been on me hard since freshman year,” Parker told On3 in September about Smith. “He always lets me know how much they want me and we have built a connection. I have great talks with him and we have a great connection now. He is real and I like him a lot.” 

Parker was one of the top players in Arkansas’ 2025 class

Parker is the No. 334 overall prospect and No. 24 running back in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 4 player in Missouri. 

At the time of his decommitment, he was the highest-ranked player in Arkansas’ 2025 recruiting class. Three players remain committed to head coach Sam Pittman and his staff: North Little Rock (Ark.) Central Arkansas Christian three-star quarterback Grayson Wilson, Atlanta (Texas) three-star running back Markeylin Batton and Bay Saint Louis (Miss.) St. Stanislaus kicker Evan Noel. 

The Razorbacks also lost a pledge from Marion (Ark.) four-star interior offensive lineman Carius Curne on March 25. He is the No. 85 overall prospect and No. 5 interior offensive lineman in the 2025 On300, as well as the No. 1 player in Arkansas.

Curne took an unofficial visit to LSU on March 23, which was while he was still committed to Arkansas. The Tigers are now trending to land him at 96.5%, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. 
“I have decided to de-commit from the University of Arkansas,” Curne wrote in a message posted to social media. “I have the utmost respect for the coaching staff and appreciate their hard work during my recruitment. I hope that everyone will respect my decision as I attempt to do what is best for me and my family.”