Jamarion Parker is the running back commit Nebraska needed

Here is the key information to know about the Huskers’ latest commit.

Height and weight: 6-0, 185 pounds.

Other key offers: Alabama, Arizona State, Missouri, TCU.

* EJ Barthel lands a big-time recruit: Every member of the Nebraska coaching staff has to pull their weight in recruiting — and EJ Barthel just made his biggest splash yet.

Because of the veteran backfield the NU’s running backs coach inherited in 2023, finding an immediate difference-maker was not a top priority as the Huskers rushed to finish their first class. Barthel instead landed a player with long-term upside he’d previously offered at UConn, Kwinten Ives.

But with an entire year to prepare for the 2024 cycle, Nebraska missed on its running back targets. Kewan Lacy was poised to be Barthel’s first four-star commit, but the Texan prospect instead flipped to Missouri after spending four months as a Husker commit.

Barthel didn’t let Parker get away. Nebraska offered Parker in April 2023 and quickly made him one of its top targets — plans that were disrupted with Parker’s September commitment to Arkansas.

When the coach Parker had pledged to play under, Jimmy Smith, left Arkansas for TCU, it opened the door for Nebraska again. TCU was in the picture, but Barthel forged a relationship that was strong enough to overcome Parker’s previous ties. 

* Nebraska returns to St. Louis: Just as Barthel deserves credit, so does linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek. That’s not just for helping with Parker’s recruitment — it’s because of his efforts across Missouri. Nebraska’s lead recruiter in the state, Dvoracek has helped the Huskers forge ties in a talent hotbed that hadn’t produced an NU commit since 2016.

Nebraska’s recruitment of the St. Louis area allowed the Huskers to make a run at five-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo and three-star edge rusher Caleb Redd in the previous cycle, though both signed elsewhere. With Parker’s commitment, NU’s presence in St. Louis continues to grow.

Nebraska now has two running back commits in its 2025 class: Parker and Wahoo Neumann’s Conor Booth. Considering NU missed out on a high school back a year ago, adding Dante Dowdell out of the transfer portal instead, a two-back class makes sense.

Both players are electric runners, and it’s Parker’s breakaway speed that stands out on his junior film. Averaging 11.2 yards per carry during a season where he ran for 22 touchdowns, Parker’s vision in the backfield often helps him cut to the edge and accelerate past defenders.

In order to be effective in college, it’s likely he’ll need to add weight and prove his physicality between the tackles. Nebraska will want to keep Parker’s track and field speed in play due to his breakaway ability that few can match.