Signee Spotlight: On300 RB Jasper Parker talks Michigan, bond with Tony Alford, more

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland sat down with On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker to talk about signing with Michigan and more.

Watch the full Q&A at the end of this story.

Parker Recruitment

Parker picked up an offer from Michigan in the winter after area recruiter Ron Bellamy identified him on tape.

Bellamy, who is originally from New Orleans and attended the same high school as Parker, kept in close contact with Parker leading up to the arrival of new running backs coach Tony Alford. When it was time to reset the board, Alford made sure that Parker remained a target.

Parker visited Michigan in the spring and returned for an official visit in June. Parker gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge before the visit even came to an end.

“(Alford is) way more than a coach,” Parker said. “He’s a mentor. He’s a role model. The way he talks to his family and everybody with respect stands out. It shows you how good of a person. He’s wise and has a lot of years of experience.

“Coach Bellamy went to my high school, so we chop it up and talk all the time. He was in my shoes making decisions like this. He told me why it was the right decision and choice. He talked to my parents about taking care of me.”

Parker committed to Michigan over fellow finalists Duke, Georgia Tech and North Carolina. He signed with Michigan on Wednesday.

At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Parker is ranked as the No. 8 running back and No. 163 overall prospect nationally, per On3. He is also ranked as the No. 5 overall recruit in the state of Louisiana this cycle.

Michigan has 22 commits in its 2025 recruiting class — five-star Belleville (Mich.) High quarterback Bryce Underwood, five-star Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, Top 100 Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick EDGE Nate Marshall, Top 100 Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale cornerback Shamari Earls, Top 100 Monroe (N.C.) High safety Jordan Young, Top 100 Katy (Texas) Jordan wide receiver Andrew Marsh, On300 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston, On300 Alpharetta (Ga.) High EDGE Julius Holly, On300 Kilgore (Texas) High cornerback Jayden Sanders, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Washington, On300 Newburgh (Ind.) Castle defensive lineman Benny Patterson, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker, four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Donovan Johnson, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, three-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, three-star Stockbridge (Ga.) High linebacker Chase Taylor, three-star Lake Worth (Fla.) Santaluces wide receiver Jamar Browder, three-star Louisville (Ky.) Fern Creek defensive lineman Travis Moten and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class is ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ohio State and Oregon.