Tomarrion Parker’s recruitment is winding down.
The four-star 2023 Alabama defensive end put out a top five earlier this month consisting of Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Penn State. Of those schools listed, Ohio State is the school that has arrived the latest to the party by far, extending an offer to the 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher on Jan. 21.
All Glory to God pic.twitter.com/6dUxDjNDHB
— Tomarrion Parker (@tomarrion) February 9, 2022
That doesn’t mean the Buckeyes should be counted out of the running to land Parker. Far from it, actually. Parker told Eleven Warriors this week the only three colleges guaranteed to receive official visits from him are Ohio State, Alabama and Georgia. He will likely make his trip to Columbus in the summer, as he doesn’t have a spring visit planned.
“I plan on using all five officials, of course I’ll take them all to my top three, Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State,” Parker said. “Those are the three that are locked in for sure. Other than that, I’m trying to decide who the last two are going to be. Tennessee and Penn State are still in my top schools, but I’ve been to Tennessee multiple times. So I’m still trying to figure out all that. I plan to have my recruitment wrapped up before the season starts.”
Ryan Day and newly hired cornerbacks coach Tim Walton made quite the impression on Parker when the duo took a trip down south to visit him on Jan. 21. After seeing Parker work out, Day presented him with a scholarship offer.
Must be getting close to Signing Day! @GeorgiaFootball's @KirbySmartUGA and @DellMcGee, and @OhioStateFB's @ryandaytime in attendance for @CHSREDDEVILS workouts this morning. @WRBLSports pic.twitter.com/NfmQqFwo6E
— Jack Patterson (@JPattersonTV) January 21, 2022
“I’ve always been interested in Ohio State,” Parker said. “Just knowing the talent they produce at the defensive end position. My head coach knows a couple coaches up there and has told me they recruit differently. He said they recruit within the state first, then they branch out. I kind of figured the offer might come near the end. I was really excited they offered me.”
It makes sense that Walton is heavily involved in the recruitment of Parker, as Walton is from Columbus, Georgia, just five miles from Parker’s residence in Phenix City, Alabama. In the month since the offer, Walton and defensive line coach Larry Johnson have been checking in with Parker or his family on a daily basis. Johnson has told Parker he envisions him playing 5-technique for the Buckeyes as an outside defensive end.
GO BUCKEYES @CoachTimWalton pic.twitter.com/F1VXFg9M7v
— Tomarrion Parker (@tomarrion) February 20, 2022
#Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/rkD5tL0ddS
— Tomarrion Parker (@tomarrion) February 11, 2022
“How they used Chase Young and lined him up, that’s where they want me,” Parker said. “(Johnson) really likes my ability to pass rush, my get off especially. I can get to the ball and make effort plays from across the field. He says he wants to get hands-on with me whenever I take my official visit up there … The style of play that they do for their defensive ends, they just let them loose. You look at guys like Chase Young, Joey Bosa and Nick Bosa, they play where they wanted. That worked out great for them and I could see myself doing that as well.”
Parker is ranked as the No. 91 overall prospect and the 13th-best defensive lineman in the 2023 cycle per 247Sports’ composite rankings. In 14 games for Central High School (Phenix City, Alabama) last season, Parker racked up 75 tackles (23 for loss) with 15 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Despite living in Alabama, Parker actually grew up an Oregon fan, mostly because he enjoyed watching Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas. So there are no built-in loyalties to any of his top five schools, as he reiterated he’s currently not a fan of any team.
Parker will be high school teammates this season with one of Ohio State’s top targets, five-star cornerback AJ Harris, who transferred Central in the offseason. The two defensive standouts have exchanged notes about their recruitments and have discussed Ohio State together, though they are expected to make their own decisions and have not made any plans to play together at the next level.
“We talk all the time,” Parker said of he and Harris. “He told me about the Ohio State visit he took in October, he said it opened his eyes in his recruitment. Us being from down south, all the schools are down here, but when he traveled up there it definitely opened his eyes a little bit. I’m definitely excited to travel up there. He’ll make the path that’s best for his family and I’ll walk the one that’s best for mine. If (playing with Harris) happens, great, I’ll have a regular face I’ve been seeing all these years come with me.”
With his top schools narrowed down, Parker now wants to wrap up his recruitment in the summer. How comfortable he feels when he travels to Columbus may determine how much of a chance Ohio State has at landing the Alabama defensive end.
“Just the home feeling,” Parker said when asked what will be the deciding factor in his recruitment. “Wherever it’s the most comfortable at and where I can live. I’m obviously going to play football there, but I also have to live there. Wherever feels like home to me, that’s what I’ll make my decision off of, and the education.”
