Interview: 3-Star 2021 Long Beach Poly LB Bryun Parham Talks San Jose State Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
With all the high school football talent located throughout the state of California, each season there are enough elite players to stock every in-state college program with game changers, and then some. On Tuesday, Class of 2021 Long Beach Poly linebacker Bryun Parham went public with his silent commitment to San Jose State; notch a steal for the Spartans. The 6-0, 210-pound, three-star defender earned first team All-League, All-CIF, first team Dream Team Press Telegram, and third team All-State honors in 2019 after putting an end to 102 plays with 24 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, three quarterback hurries, a pick, four passes broken up, a fumble recovery, three forced fumbles and a blocked punt. Once the 2021 season begins, all that talent will be ready to knock heads with the best of the best in the Mountain West Conference.
In an RNG stylized catch-up interview, Parham took a break from celebrating his commitment with his family to give us the inside scoop on his commitment to the San Jose State Spartans.
Interview
Byrun, first and foremost, congratulations on your commitment to San Jose State.
“Thank you.”
Before we get deep into that topic, I’d like to update everyone on your offseason workouts. If you will, update me. How have they been going?
“They’ve been going good. I have been working on my cover skills and trying to get bigger. That has been the focus of my workouts.”
During the offseason, what has been your general workout routine?
“After I wake up, I have a bench press set at the house, I bench and curl – do my lifts. Then I go do my field work. I am doing the ladder, cone drills, backpedals, and coming downhill. On Tuesday and Thursday, I run 120s. On Tuesday I run six of them and then on Thursday I run eight of them, and then I go to 10 and 12 the next time around.”
Now let’s jump into the good stuff. Walk us through the recruiting process between you and the Spartans’ staff. When did they start reaching out to you and how did that relationship grow over time?
“They reached out to me during the season, after our first four games. They liked my film and wanted me to keep in contact with them. Throughout the season they kept in contact with me and continued showing interest. They made a lot of contact with me making me feel comfortable and they were talking to me man to man. The coaches kept it real, I respected that.”
On June 7, you announced receiving an offer from San Jose State. What was that moment like for you getting a big D-I offer from an in-state school?
“It was awesome. San Jose State is not too far from home, but far enough to go away and grow as a person. It was an honor receiving the offer. I wanted to play D-I football at the highest level.”
At what point did you start to lean from interested in the Spartans to want to commit?
“I just knew, something in me that told me it was the right fit. I did my research on San Jose State and their linebackers’ coach, Coach (Scott) White. I just felt like it was the right place for me.”
Which position do they see you fitting into their defensive scheme?
“Any linebacker spot, Sam, Will, or Mike.”
Anyone who has watched you play knows you are a tackling machine and you bring the heat to the field. That’s what I say, what did they tell you they liked about your talents on the field?
“They like the same things. Coach White said I bring the results.”
When did you commit to San Jose State and which coach on staff received the great news?
“I committed to Coach White last week on Friday, but I told him I wanted to wait until today to announce because today is my dad’s birthday.”
Very cool. A belated Father’s Day gift mixed with a birthday present.
“Yes, sir.”
Knowing that you’ve accomplished a major life goal and get to earn a college degree while playing football, how do you feel?
“I feel great about it; this is one of my dreams. San Jose State will prepare me for the next level, I want to go even harder and be the best I can be.”
Do you have any commitment celebration plans?
“Right now I am with my family, eating and enjoying ourselves. We are BBQ at the park right now.”
Bryun, enjoy the day and the moment. Again, congratulations on your commitment and good luck with the rest of your summer workouts until we talk again.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Parham family; Bryun Parham at San Jose State