Four-Star Running Back Commits to Oklahoma Before Even Visiting Nebraska, Giving Sooners Another Explosive Weapon in 2025 Class

The recruiting trail moves fast—sometimes, faster than even the most prepared college programs can react. That was certainly the case this week, as one of the nation’s top running backs, 4-star recruit Jamarion Parker, stunned many by pledging his commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners before even making his scheduled official visit to Nebraska. For the Huskers, it’s a blow to their 2025 plans. For the Sooners, it’s another major victory in what’s quickly becoming one of the most impressive recruiting classes under Brent Venables.

Parker, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound back out of St. Louis, Missouri (Cardinal Ritter College Prep), announced his decision via social media on Sunday, catching both fans and analysts off guard. Widely considered a top-15 running back in the 2025 class and holding offers from Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Oregon, Parker had long listed Nebraska among his top schools. A June 21 official visit to Lincoln was on the books. But after visiting Norman just days earlier, Parker had seen enough.

In his commitment post, Parker praised the Sooners’ family environment, the trajectory of the program under Venables, and, importantly, the offensive fit under offensive coordinator Seth Littrell and running backs coach DeMarco Murray. “I felt like home immediately,” Parker wrote. “Coach Murray sees me as a feature back, and I believe in what this staff is building. Why wait when I already know where I belong?”

For Oklahoma, this is a massive pickup—not just because of Parker’s talent, but because of what it symbolizes. The Sooners are asserting themselves once again as a dominant national force in recruiting. After a somewhat rocky first year for Venables, where the Sooners finished 6-7 in 2022, Oklahoma has responded with renewed energy on the trail. Their 2025 class, now ranked No. 7 nationally following Parker’s commitment, includes top-100 prospects at wide receiver, defensive line, and secondary. Parker is the crown jewel of the backfield group.

What makes Parker so coveted? Start with the tape. He rushed for over 1,900 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior in Missouri’s top division, showcasing elite vision, fluid change-of-direction skills, and deceptive top-end speed. He’s equally effective bouncing outside as he is hitting the interior holes, and perhaps most impressively, he’s a willing and capable pass catcher—a trait that’s increasingly critical in today’s college and pro offenses. Several analysts have likened him to former Sooner great Joe Mixon in terms of versatility.

“Parker is a true three-down back who can impact a game in multiple ways,” said Rivals recruiting analyst Clint Cosgrove. “His commitment to Oklahoma gives them someone who could play early and develop into an All-Big 12 caliber player, maybe even beyond.”

The early commitment also gives Oklahoma something more intangible: recruiting momentum. The Sooners now have a big name locked in at running back before the July commitment rush, allowing them to market Parker as a foundational piece for fellow offensive prospects. Already, he’s been vocal about trying to bring other top players with him to Norman, including elite receiver target Cortez Mills and five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi.

“I’m recruiting now,” Parker wrote in a follow-up message on X. “We’re building something different at OU. Come join us.”

As for Nebraska, the staff led by Matt Rhule now finds itself on the back foot. The Huskers had made Parker a priority from early in the cycle, with running backs coach EJ Barthel forming what many believed to be a strong bond with the Missouri standout. Parker’s decision to cancel the upcoming official visit came as a surprise, particularly given how frequently he’d spoken about the opportunity to turn Nebraska around and be part of Rhule’s vision.

So why did he pull the plug before even stepping on campus?

Sources close to Parker’s camp suggest the emotional response to his Oklahoma visit was overwhelming. The Sooners pulled out all the stops, with Murray laying out a vision of Parker as the next elite back to follow in the footsteps of Adrian Peterson, Samaje Perine, and Kennedy Brooks. The Sooners’ facilities, tradition, and the allure of early playing time proved too strong a combination to delay.

There’s also the SEC factor. With Oklahoma set to officially join the SEC in 2024, the Sooners can now offer a combination of tradition and conference prestige that few can rival. For a player with NFL aspirations like Parker, the thought of competing against Georgia, Alabama, and LSU on a national stage is undeniably attractive.

“He wants to play in big games, in the biggest conference, against the best,” one source said. “And he believes Oklahoma is going to be winning those games very soon.”

It’s hard to argue with that logic. The Sooners are coming off a 10-3 campaign and a bowl win, with their 2025 roster expected to return several key offensive pieces. While there are questions about how quickly the team can adjust to the weekly grind of the SEC, the recruiting results speak volumes. Parker’s commitment is not only a symbol of faith in the program’s future but also a signal to other top-tier players that Oklahoma intends to compete with the giants of the sport.

Looking forward, Oklahoma now turns its attention to the rest of its offensive board. With Parker in the fold, the focus shifts to offensive line reinforcements and keeping their current pledges locked in. The Sooners have already landed commitments from four-star quarterback Kevin Sperry and receiver Marcus Harris, forming what could be one of the most balanced and dangerous offensive hauls in recent memory. Adding Parker only raises the ceiling.

Meanwhile, Nebraska will need to regroup. While the Huskers have other targets on the board—most notably in-state product Dante Lewis and Texas standout Malik Ford—losing Parker stings. Rhule has made significant strides in reshaping the Huskers’ culture and roster, but this serves as a reminder of how steep the road back to national relevance can be. The Huskers remain in the running for several blue-chip prospects, but their margin for error in the 2025 class just got a bit slimmer.

For Parker, the decision brings clarity—and a head start on building the next chapter of his football journey. Instead of a summer filled with campus visits and uncertainty, he can now focus on preparing for his senior season and continuing to develop as a complete back. He’ll arrive in Norman next year with sky-high expectations, but from all indications, he’s embracing the pressure.

“I know what it means to be a Sooner,” Parker said. “It’s about toughness, legacy, and winning. I want to add my name to that tradition.”

As summer approaches, and college football fans begin to daydream about fall Saturdays, Oklahoma supporters can do so with a smile. The Sooners just got their guy—and in doing so, might have just landed the next star in the SEC.