2023 RB Muwaffaq Parkman on committing to Syracuse: ‘I love this place’

Muwaffaq Parkman
Photo Courtesy: Muwaffaq Parkman

2023 Hillside (NJ) High running back Muwaffaq Parkman wasted no time on his official visit.

When Syracuse assistant coach Nick Monroe formally extended him an offer while Parkman was in Central New York, he accepted, becoming the sixth commitment in the Orange’s 2023 class. Parkman had previously taken an unofficial visit to SU in March and knew he wanted to come back.

“From my first unofficial visit, I loved the place,” Parkman said in an interview with The Juice Online. “It was great. The indoor dome, the facilities, the players and coaches, the academics, and how everything operates. I love it.”

The feeling is reciprocated by the coaching staff, who came away impressed with Parkman’s 4.3 40M time he ran at Monmouth’s football camp. Parkman is a two-sport athlete, and is one of New Jersey’s fastest sprinters.

» Related: Jalil Smith felt ‘at home’ in deciding to commit to the Orange

His speed and high football IQ led to schools like Buffalo, Kent State, LIU Post, Maine, UMass, Stony Brook and Temple offering scholarships. He also drew interest from Penn State and had unofficially visited its campus.

But what sealed Parkman’s commitment to SU was his official visit this past weekend.

“The thing that stuck out the most was the hospitality, and how they treated me and my family,” Parkman said. “Especially the players, they treated me as if I was already one of them. I was excited and very comfortable. They wasn’t faking how they treated us. It’s real love down there.”

Both Parkman and the coaching staff have high expectations once he arrives at Syracuse in 2023.

“They (told me they) will work me hard and develop me the best they can,” Parkman said. “And guide me along my journey to be along with the best backs in Syracuse history.”

Parkman is part of the most recent in a wave of commitments for the Orange in the past two weeks, joining linebacker Zyian Moultrie-Goddard and defensive lineman Jalil Smith. SU’s class to date is rounded out by tight end David Clement, defensive lineman Rashard Perry and quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

He’s anxious to get on campus to show Syracuse what he can do.

“For the fans ima give y’all everything I got,” Parkman said. “I’m special. This not for fake, I’ve got lots of talent and speed, and I can’t wait to shock the program and be a top dog.”

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About Wes Cheng 2907 Articles
Wes has worked for Rivals.com covering the New York Knicks, as well as for Scout.com covering Syracuse athletics. Wes has also been a contributing writer for the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), for SportsNet New York (SNY) as a news desk writer covering all of New York professional sports, and reported on the NBA and MLB for the New York Sportscene. A native of Long Island, New York, Wes graduated from Syracuse University in 2005 with a degree in journalism. Contact him at wes[at]sujuiceonline.com.