Wolverine TV: Breaking down new Michigan RB commit Jasper Parker

Michigan scored a commitment from three-star New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker on Saturday night.

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland shares his thoughts on Parker in the video below.

Parker Recruitment

Parker picked up an offer from Michigan earlier this offseason 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 this weekend. Parker gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge before the visit even came to an end, announcing his verbal pledge on Saturday night.

“(Alford is) way more than a coach,” Parker previously told The Wolverine. “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.”

Michigan is expected to take two running backs this cycle.

Parker committed to Michigan over fellow finalists Duke, Georgia Tech and North Carolina.

At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Parker is ranked as the No. 37 running back and No. 457 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 15 overall recruit in the state of Louisiana this cycle.

Michigan now has eight commits in its 2025 recruiting class — Pakrer, Top 100 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston, Top 100 Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick defensive lineman Nate Marshall, On300 Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith, four-star Palatine (Ill.) High EDGE Jaylen Williams, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, four-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class entered the day ranked No. 13 nationally and No. 4 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ohio State, Oregon and USC.