Parham Adds to LB Credentials As He Prepares to Compete for UW Job

Tops on the list is Jaylen Wester, who's moved from Florida Atlantic to Colorado, with an 84.5 grade; followed by Wayne Matthews II, from Old Dominion to Michigan State, at 81.1; Jailin Walker, from James Madison to Indiana, at 80.8; Demetrius Knight II, from Charlotte to South Carolina, at 77.8; Kendre' Gant, from Louisiana to Houston, at 76.7; Javante Mackey, from Arkansas State to Memphis, at 75.2; and Desmyn Baker, Western Kentucky to Southern Miss, at 73.1.

Next up is Parham, receiving a 71.7 PFF grade as he makes the jump to the Big Ten, looking to create a splash on a much bigger stage.

To put a number on a linebacker, the analytics group uses more than a half-dozen factors, among them speed and agility, run-stopping ability, pass coverage, durability and versatility. As this social-media post from Long Beach Poly high school demonstrates, Parham has the speed part down.

Coming out of Poly, Parham received offers only from San Jose State and Idaho State during the peak of the COVID pandemic, unable to take any recruiting trips while schools presumably thought he might be a little undersized.

Undaunted by his circumstances, he impressed his high school coaches with his dedication in making himself into a high-level player even without all of the recruiting frills and people fawning all over him.

"I'm very physical, my speed, my will to get to the ball, my knowledge of the game and my heart," Parham said, describing himself to the Long Beach Press-Telegram in 2020. 

At San Jose State, he became a three-year starter who piled up 199 tackles. Last fall, he topped double-digit tackles in four games with 11 against Toledo and Air Force, and 12 against Boise State and Coastal Carolina. His career high remains 14 against Utah State in 2022. 

Parham got his hands on USC quarterback and 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams to share in a sack to open last season, stripped the ball from Boise State's AP All-America all-purpose back Ashton Jeanty and recovered it, and intercepted a San Diego State and ran it back 20 yards with then-Aztecs offensive tackle and new UW teammate Drew Azzopardi among those in pursuit. 

He's unique, both in performance and in his take on the football world and how he fits in it.

"I want to be the best," Parham said. "I cannot let anyone take that away from me. I don't want to be someone else's highlight tape."