BOOM! 4-Star Cornerback Jordan Parker Commits To UCLA

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Ishmael Adams (1) returns a kickoff during the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA football’s red-hot momentum on the recruiting trail continued to reap dividends on Friday afternoon, as the Bruins unexpectedly landed the commitment of the #1-rated pure cover corner in the state of California, 4-star Jordan Parker (Pittsburg, CA/Pittsburg Senior). The Bruins beat out the likes of USC and Arizona State for Parker’s commitment.

Parker, who is in Southern California this weekend for UCLA’s Spring Game tomorrow morning and a 7-on-7 tournament on Sunday, gave no public indications that a commitment was on its way so soon, but after touring the campus and getting the full VIP treatment from defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin, Parker pulled the trigger on his pledge to Martin and the Bruins.

UCLA Bruins

UCLA has been on top of Parker’s recruitment from its outset. In fact, it was UCLA’s defensive line coach and Northern California recruiting ace Angus McClure who was the first coach to offer Parker a scholarship last October when he noticed Parker incidentally while scouting Parker’s high-school teammate, 4-star safety and Cal commit Shurod Thompson.

After the UCLA offer came, Parker’s stock blew up as he garnered the attention of schools across the conference and the nation. However, it was that loyalty to UCLA for having been his first offer and the connection he felt to UCLA’s coaches that compelled Parker to ultimately decide to become a Bruin.

As far as his game is concerned, Parker isn’t a truly elite athlete, but his instincts are outstanding, he has fantastic short-area explosiveness and quickness, and he has an advanced understanding of the nuances of cornerback play. He also plays the type of physical game that Coach Martin prioritizes in defensive back recruits.

Parker is UCLA’s 8th commitment of what is shaping up to be a star-studded 2016 recruiting class in Westwood, and his commitment is one that elicited an excited reaction from Bay Area Bruins and key Northern California recruits.

With Parker in tow, the Bruins can be very selective now with who they recruit to be the other cornerback to join the class alongside the top pure cover corner in the West. With blue-chip prospects who are high on UCLA’s board like Jack Jones (Long Beach, CA/Poly), Byron Murphy (Scottsdale, AZ/Saguaro), David Long (Los Angeles, CA/Loyola), and Chase Lucas (Chandler, AZ/Chandler) still available, Coach Martin is looking like he’s going to bring in another stellar defensive back class to UCLA.

Welcome to Westwood, Jordan!