Klein (Texas) Forest four-star running back Parker Jenkins made his commitment on Saturday morning to Houston, as the local product decided to stay in the Greater Houston Area over other offers from Oklahoma State, Northwestern and more.
Jenkins joins Houston’s 2023 class as its first four-star commit as Dana Holgorsen and his staff continue to recruit the Houston area at a high rate.
Jenkins has had an interesting recruitment this offseason as the early buzz in the spring saw LSU take the lead after a big unofficial visit experience in Baton Rouge. However, the Tigers filled up at the running back spot in a hurry with commitments from Trey Holly and Kaleb Jackson, forcing Jenkins to look elsewhere.
In the month of June, Jenkins took official visits to Northwestern, Boston College and Oklahoma State in which the Cowboys were able to grab some momentum going into July. Houston always maintained consistent contact though, as the Cougars were able to provide a solid pitch to stay close to home, which was something that resonated with Jenkins’ family, according to a source.
The Cougars were then able to get Jenkins on campus for an unofficial visit during the July visit period and were able to secure his commitment despite some national programs such as Clemson becoming more serious in recent weeks.
Jenkins gives Houston a four-star commit in its second consecutive class after the Cougars landed Klein (Texas) Cain four-star wide receiver Matthew Golden at the end of the 2022 cycle.
At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Jenkins is ranked as the No. 8 all-purpose running back in the country and the No. 51 prospect from the state of Texas in the class of 2023, according to Rivals.
A true all-purpose threat for an electric Klein Forest offense, Jenkins eludes tacklers with his 10.66 speed and elite twitch out of the backfield.
There are not official accurate stats from his junior season, but Jenkins’ film shows multiple breakaways for scores both on running plays and quick routes out of the backfield. With his kind of explosion, Houston will be able to use him early in his career to open up big-play opportunities for the aforementioned Golden lined up out wide.
Houston continues to stack offensive weapons with large bodies in coverage up front such as Demetrius Hunter and Tevin Shaw.
