2025 Shaw running back Jasper Parker commits to Michigan | Prep Sports

Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker wanted to finalize his commitment before the start of his final season and decided to join reigning national champion Michigan.

Parker had many options: Alabama and Florida State were among the schools that offered the Class of 2025 running back a spot, but Michigan lured him as a school with both athletic and academic prestige.

Parker is considered a three-star talent according to 247 Sports, and his recruiting profile showed an upward trend after a strong junior season in which he was one of the best running backs in the New Orleans area.

“It was unreal for me and my family,” Parker said. “These are the moments you dream about, and the opportunity to choose a university as prestigious as the University of Michigan was a dream come true.”

During his visit to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Parker said he liked the entire Wolverines coaching staff – especially wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, a Shaw University graduate who played at Michigan and later in the NFL.

“(Parker) is a great kid going to a great program,” Shaw coach Hank Tierney said. “They’re the defending national champions and their wide receivers coach (Bellamy) played at Shaw 25 years ago, so the connection was there. They really got along well.”

Parker thanked Bellamy for making him feel good and helping him feel comfortable under both new Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore and running backs coach Tony Alford.

“I got along really well with the coaches,” Parker said. “I had a good relationship with Coach Bellemy and gained trust. Coach Moore is a first-year head coach but has earned his stripes, and Coach Alford showed me how I could fit into the offense.”

Michigan has produced great running backs lately, with two-time All-American Blake Corum (now with the Los Angeles Rams) and rising senior Donovan Edwards shining in the College Football Playoff last season.

“I talked to Donovan and he told me that he wasn’t the main guy in the backfield until this year,” Parker said. “It shows that you can develop on a team like Michigan that places a lot of emphasis on running backs. They are unique with their alumni.”

Parker (6’0″, 195 lbs) has the ideal size for a running back and is also fast enough. As a senior at Shaw, he wants to get even better.

“(Parker) is a big running back and has great speed,” Tierney said. “He has great vision and is a complete running back with great hands. He can run inside and outside and should get bigger. Last year he averaged almost 8 yards per run and we expect big things from him this year at Shaw.”

Last year was Parker’s first year at Shaw after transferring from Jesuit, and the goals for this season are high after helping the Eagles reach the Division II semifinals in 2023.

“I’ve put on a little more muscle (this offseason),” Parker said. “I feel like we’re going in the right direction.”

Other Eagles recruits

Other Shaw recruits for 2025 include four-star wide receiver Jacob Washington, outside linebacker Sheldon Green and quarterback Mason Wilson.

“Jacob Washington has good offers,” Tierney said. “He’s a big, fast wide receiver. We have an outside linebacker, Sheldon Green, who has some minor (school) offers but could earn more. Our quarterback, Mason Wilson, is a dual-threat guy who I think is one of the best quarterbacks in the bullpen. He should get offers.”