Daniel Parker, 4-star DE, re-affirms commitment to Missouri

COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: The Missouri Tigers mascot, Truman the Tiger, celebrates during the game against the UCF Knights on September 13, 2014 at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: The Missouri Tigers mascot, Truman the Tiger, celebrates during the game against the UCF Knights on September 13, 2014 at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Daniel Parker, a four-star defensive end from Blue Springs, Missouri, re-affirmed his commitment as a member of the Tigers’ 2018 recruiting class.

In 2016, Parker verbally committed to play for Missouri as a member of the Tigers’ 2018 recruiting class, but withdrew his commitment a short time later, seeking to draw further interest.

According to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, Parker also drew heavy interest from Kentucky, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, and UCF. Parker stated that Mizzou’s family atmosphere and promising success influenced his decision to re-affirm his commitment to the Tigers.

When Parker mentioned “Missouri” and “championship” in the same sentence, it grabbed my attention. The seemingly unlikeliest of possibilities, Missouri playing in the National Championship game, could become a reality, if the Tigers continue recruiting well.

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"Family atmosphere, I have the best relationship with those coaches. I think they’re headed to the top for sure, they just need another year under their belt and it’s championship season."

The Tigers  received 13 verbal commitments over the last week. The three most recent recruits announced their intent on Wednesday.

Parker is the first big name, in-state recruit to commit to Missouri this year, which will hopefully encourage a few more Missouri recruits to follow suit.

According to Gabe DeArmond of PowerMizzou.com, Parker will start as a defensive end, but also possesses the versatility to play defensive tackle and offensive lineman, if needed.

Since Missouri started receiving commitments last week, it seems that every day the quality and talent of recruits have increased. The defense, which was inconsistent for Missouri over the last couple of years, has received some promising talent, and should be improved, if not dominating over the next couple of seasons.

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As anticipation for decisions from in-state recruits Trevor Trout and Michael Thompson grows, Parker offered to DeArmond, “Trust me when I say, ‘Be on the lookout!'” Foreshadowing of things to come? We can only hope.