SIGNED: Linebacker Jayland Parker

SIGNEE: Jayland Parker‍ 

IPS RANK: 88
SCHOOL: Westside
HOMETOWN: Macon, GA
POSITION: Linebacker
VITALS: 6’2/215

Early Enrollee? Yes

Where Does He Rank?

Statistics: 42 tackles, seven TFL

Why NC State? “It was just the coaching staff that sold me. It’s been a winning program; a well respected program. Coach Doeren is doing great things over there. Coach Huxtable, as well. But from the academics to the strength coaches to coach Doeren, I was just impressed with everything.”

Who Did He Pick NC State Over? Colorado, Arizona, Mississippi State, and Louisville

IPS Take On Jayland Parker: State led for the majority of Parker’s recruitment but he suddenly picked Colorado after an official visit over the summer. Eventually he opened things up and it was only a matter of time before he officially visited State and committed. 

Parker is one of the most ready-to-play prospects in the 2020 recruiting class, and arriving in January will only help him. The only issue for him is the linebacker group is loaded for next year: seven players who played last year have eligibility remaining, and Levi Jones joins the fold, as well. It’s unlikely he plays meaningful snaps next year, but as we saw this year, having too many players is never a bad thing.

It is entirely possible that Parker earns time on special teams next season, but breaking into the linebacker rotation is going to be difficult for the next year or two.