Jackets join programs battling for 2027 DL Ricardo Parker

2027 defensive lineman Ricardo Parker has been collecting college offers for over a year now as the Prattville (Ala.) standout has the combination of size, ability and production that coaches at the next level want to add their program.

Parker’s offer list continued to grow this week as he added two more Power 4 offers, coming from ACC programs Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. Jackets’ defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Kyle Pope, who is an Alabama native himself, stopped by Prattville on Wednesday to give Parker the news.

“The offer (from Georgia Tech) means a lot to me because they took a chance on me and they believed in me, and I’m really thankful for that offer,” Parker told JOL during an interview on Wednesday night. “It has been one I’ve been hoping for. They develop great players, and it’s also an organization that I really love.”

Parker went into detail about what Pope told him he liked about his game and what stood out on film for Georgia Tech to jump in with the offer.

“(Coach Pope) said he liked my aggressiveness and my work ethic,” said Parker. “(He liked) how I’m really good at stopping the run game and the pass game, and he loves the way I take on double teams.”

Parker talks about offers, interest, schools standing out and spring visit plans…

Before the Jackets and Hokies offered this past week, Parker had already built quite an offer list in the past year going all the way back to last January. Among his 14 reported offers are Power 4 opportunities at Texas, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, North Carolina, and of course most recently, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

Parker said several other schools have been in contact and shown interest and could offers soon, including LSU, Tennessee, Auburn, Missouri and West Virginia, and he has a busy spring ahead as he is looking to visit quite a few schools to see them up close.

“I do have some spring visits set like Mississippi State, Tennessee, Duke, Vanderbilt, Texas, West Virginia, North Carolina and hopefully Georgia Tech. It’s going to be a great experience for me and my family,” said Parker. “I’ve got some schools standing out right now.”

While Parker admitted he had a few schools ahead at the top of his list, he didn’t want to reveal them as he continues to let the recruiting process play out.

Where Parker fits at the next level and how he sees himself as a player…

Prattville has produced plenty of big-time players over the years, and this upcoming 2027 class has several that will get opportunities at the next level also. Parker wasn’t the only Prattville athlete to receive an offer from Georgia Tech on Wednesday as Pope also extended offers to 2027 wide receiver Deshawn Hall and defensive lineman Elijah Brown while he was at the school.

Parker is a versatile player that could be used as a defensive end in college or even slide inside to play some defensive tackle with the frame to add more weight and strength if needed. He said being able to do what his coaches ask of him at do it consistently at a high level to help the team however he can is one of his biggest assets.

“I am really coachable,” said Parker when asked to describe himself as a player. “On the field what sets me apart from others is my work and willingness to lead. I also try to have the right mindset and am always uplifting my teammates to get the best out of them.”

There will be plenty of competition for Parker’s commitment in the next several months, but Pope and Georgia Tech will make a hard push of their own despite offering a little later than several other programs.