Iowa picks up transfer portal commitment from offensive lineman Daijon Parker

Saginaw Valley State lineman previously was committed to Virginia

Jan. 7, 2023 6:30 pm, Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 10:58 am

Iowa's offensive line blocks for running back Kaleb Johnson during one of Iowa's practices ahead of the Music City Bowl at Franklin Road Academy in Nashville on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. (John Steppe/The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — Former Saginaw Valley State offensive tackle Daijon Parker committed to Iowa via the transfer portal, he announced Saturday on social media.

Parker, who originally committed to Virginia, also had interest from Washington State, Tulane, Western Michigan and Bowling Green, among other schools.

The Inskster, Mich., native played in nine games for Division-II Saginaw Valley State in 2022, according to his SVSU player profile. He does not have any ratings from recruiting sites 247Sports, Rivals or On3 Sports.

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive lineman will join a position group that struggled for much of the 2022 season. The Hawkeyes did not have any first-team, second-team or third-team honorees from the offensive line.

Offensive line increasingly became a need for Iowa ahead of the 2023 season after five-star offensive line recruit Kadyn Proctor flipped his commitment from Iowa to Alabama.

Parker is Iowa’s fifth addition to the offense via the transfer portal, joining quarterbacks Cade McNamara and Deacon Hill, tight end Erick All Jr. and wide receiver Seth Anderson.