3 thoughts on the commitment of Jamarion Parker to Nebraska football

Nebraska football kicked off an important month on the recruiting trail with a massive commitment on Wednesday as four-star running back Jamarion Parker finally committed to the Huskers.

There have been plenty of crystal balls to suggest that it was going to happen. However, Parker hadn’t committed and was set to visit TCU. Alabama also joined the fray.

The former Arkansas commitment picked Nebraska football on Wednesday and it’s a huge recruiting win for the Huskers. Parker is the ninth pledge in the 2025 class. He’s the second-four star and is ranked 340th overall according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.

Here are three thoughts.

BREAKING: Four-Star RB Jamarion Parker has Committed to Nebraska, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’0 190 RB from Saint Louis, MO chose the Cornhuskers over TCU, Illinois, & Alabama

Is the 2nd Highest-Ranked Recruit in Nebraska’s ‘25 Class (per On3 Industry)… pic.twitter.com/CIm5zaQ0qZ

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 5, 2024

Nebraska football needed a blue-chip back

The Huskers landed a big-time running back in the 2024 class in Kewan Lacy before he flipped and signed with Missouri.

Not only did Nebraska football miss out on a four-star prospect, but the Huskers ended up not signing any running backs in the class. In the first two recruiting class under Matt Rhule, there was just one running back signed and that was Kwinten Ives.

Connor Booth also committed earlier in the 2025 class. He’s a three-star recruit but there’s a lot to like about him and the pair is pretty solid. Parker rushed for 1,644 yards for Cardinal Ritter in St. Louis last season with 22 touchdowns.

Allen Trieu of 247 Sports compared him to Tyler Goodson. Here’s the full scouting report from Trieu:

“Track speed shows up on his football film as he has a big yards per carry average and can score from anywhere on the field. Runs away from opponents a lot but demonstrates some stop-start ability and elusiveness. Had enough chances as a pass-catcher to show he can do it and could be a guy who motions out and plays some in the slot. Will have to add his weight. So dominant in high school that he also needs to show he can grind out yardage. Dynamic talent who can be used in a variety of ways and systems and may get a look as a college kickoff return guy also.”

Another Matt Rhule type of commitment

Rhule and the Huskers love to bet on big-time athletes and that’s Parker. He ran the 100-meter dash in 10.99 as a freshman. That’s fast and his speed shows up on film according to the scouting report.

Parker is ranked as the 27th-best running back and he’s a future starter. Dante Dowdell sort of covered up the fact that Nebraska football didn’t land a blue-chipper in 2023, and now the running back room is getting re-stocked.

As far as Parker, he’s a perfect dude for Rhule because he’s definitely got a shot at making the NFL and is a big-time track athlete. You add that to his football production and this feels like a home run for the Huskers.

TJ Lateef was a huge commitment but this is on par with that in terms of importance.

Someone who can play early

Parker can do a lot of different things. He’s a kick returner and as a junior, he caught 17 passes for 265 yards. That’s an enticing skill set to pair with Dylan Raiola. Dowdell and Emmett Johnson should each be around during the 2025 season, when Parker will be on campus, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he found a role as a freshman and burned through his redshirt.

He’s not going to win the starting job or anything but with Rahmir Johnson set to move on, there’s a chance he could contribute as a receiver, a runner, and a kick returner right away.

There’s a big jump from high school to college but Parker is explosive and the Huskers probably want to get him on the field sooner rather than later.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and Subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel. You can also find our podcast on Apple or Spotify.