St. Frances (MD) four-star linebacker Jaishawn Barham took in his third official visit over the weekend when he and his family arrived in College Park. The Terps rolled out the red carpet for their top overall target as Barham reviews the weekend.
“It was good. Good to see coach Locks, the team and get the win,” he told Inside the Black and Gold. “It was more of a family environment because it was an official, you get to see more stuff.” The weekend also gave him a chance to reconnect with his former high school coach and lead recruiter in Elijah Brooks. “I don’t feel like the relationship has changed at all. We’ve been cool since high school, he recruited me out of high school too.” Sophomore linebacker Ruben Hyppolite hosted the 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker as Barham says the staff views him as an “inside and outside [linebacker], basically being versatile.”
Barham also got a chance to spend one-on-one time on Sunday evening with head coach Mike Locksley and a handful of players as the in-state priority said he felt no pressure during the visit. “Just being chill. He wasn’t forcing anything,” Barham added. While the Terps have pitched the idea of playing closer to home, there’s another angle the staff is preaching. “I feel because of the NIL stuff, they pushed that. Family being close and playing for your state.”
Penn State hosted Barham for their White Out win over Auburn as the four-star recalls his official to Happy Valley. “I kind of knew what I was going into because a lot of people talk about it. It was a good game, the fans, atmosphere. They got the win that night, too.”
With two more officials set, Barham said Florida remains in the mix for a visit while Kentucky has been consistent with him. “I’ve been talking to [defensive coordinator Brad] White,” Barham added. The plan is still to take all five official visits prior to a decision, while a decision timeline remains fluid with visits still available.
The biggest determining factor, though, remains comfort.
“Just me being comfortable and knowing my family is comfortable wherever I go.”
Barham is rated a four-star prospect and a 92 overall by 247Sports, sitting as the third-best prospect in Maryland.