Two Bakersfield Athletes Named to ESPN Top 300 List

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Bakersfield football earned national recognition this week as two local Class of 2028 athletes were named to ESPN’s Top 300 high school football list.

Garces Memorial safety Jackson Parker was ranked No. 85 nationally, while Garces Memorial running back Carter Hanson was ranked No. 279 nationally.

Parker is also listed as the No. 8 safety in the country and the No. 4 player in California. Hanson is listed as the No. 19 running back in the country and the No. 20 player in California.

The recognition puts both players among the top high school football prospects in the nation for the Class of 2028, but it also carries a bigger meaning for the local football community.

Jackson Parker’s father, Larry Parker, shared his thoughts on Instagram, calling the moment a win for all of Bakersfield football.

“Bakersfield, EVERYBODY should be fired up,” Parker wrote. “Having two Class of 28 players ranked in the top 300 nationally is a big deal for our community. Their recruitment by Power 4 programs will bring college coaches from across the country to Bakersfield on a weekly basis. That means more eyes on our city and more opportunities for local athletes to get noticed.”

Parker also pointed out that when college coaches come to evaluate nationally ranked players, other local athletes can benefit from the added exposure.

“When coaches come to see elite players, they also get a chance to discover other talented athletes,” Parker wrote. “This is a win for all of Bakersfield football. Keep working, keep competing and be ready when opportunity shows up. STOP ALL THE HATE. This season is going to be fun.”

For Bakersfield, having two nationally ranked players in the same class is a major moment. As Parker and Hanson continue their recruitment, their presence on the ESPN Top 300 list could help bring more attention to the talent across the city.