2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jojo Parham, DL, Southwest Minnesota State University

• Name: Jojo Parham
• Position: DL
• College: Southwest Minnesota State University
• Height: 6’3”
• Weight: 265 lbs
• Instagram: @jojojk23

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

Football it’s simply a great sport, I’ve been an athlete since I was a young kid and football it’s just introduced me to a lot of different things inside and outside of football on and off the field. It’s built me as a person over time. It’s a great game to play. There’s a lot of different opportunities that comes with it.I feel like football is just one of those sports that allows you to express yourself while being able to do it in a violent manner.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I would say my freshman year of high school we went to state and it was a cool experience because I believe it was the second or third season that our new coach was there. So it was definitely a cool experience to have and following high school my first start in college start as a college football player. I came into college technically 5 years ago and my team hasn’t had the most success but the experience itself has been a blessing. My first career start has probably been one of my more memorable moments in college and along with that being able to compete with some of the best competition in the NSIC.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Going forward I want to seek an opportunity to play pro in any league. Of course NFL is the goal but honestly there’s more opportunities out there than just NFL and you can start somewhere smaller and work your way up and I feel with just a simple opportunity a lot of things can be achieved. Just striving for greatness. And do anything I can to be successful in any league I play in.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

Tom Brady, even though I’ve never played quarterback in my football career. Tom Brady’s competitiveness and his love for the game of football it would definitely be a blessing to talk to him about the game of football and where he is and everything he has accomplished in the game of football. Von Miller, he’s been one of my idol’s since I was a kid from his pass rush and ability to stop the run and he was a dominant force on the football field. Those are definitely two people that I look up to in the football world.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

First and foremost my mom, words don’t necessarily explain how much she means to mean to me, my most important person in my life somebody who has pushed me to be the person I am today and to do the things I do athletically and she’s a big piece in my life in terms of my drive and my why. My father, words also don’t necessarily explain how much he means to me as well, as a father he has a different role then my mother and he has also pushed me to be the best version of myself but he has kept me level headed through my years as an athlete and pushed me even harder than my mom to make me be the best athlete I can be.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

A four down defense or maybe a five down defense depending on the conference or league you are in. I played in the NSIC which is a very run heavy conference. My school is the only school in the conference with a three down front.  The four front defense would probably schematic be my favorite defense, it allows the defensive line to seek better one on one block opportunities and not be double teamed as much. I feel like the more defensive linemen the better on defense like the 4-3.

What should we know about Jojo Parham the person?

Simply a kind, outgoing, generous individual outside of football. But also a lot of the things inside the game of football has built me into the person I am today. I’m definitely a hard working person who doesn’t give up until i get it and just my ability on the field backs up my ability, I’m a talented and confident individual. Somebody who really strives to be great whether it’s minor success or major success. Pushing myself to not give up easily and pursue the things I want to pursue. My main trait is my work ethic and belief in the things I have ahead of me. 

What stands out about your film the most?

My work ethic and I feel like my technique is also a big thing. When you watch the film, with heavy flow my way if it’s a outside zone read action attacking the guard from a five tech just honing in and being intentional with simple techniques like that or pass rushing from a type five or a tilted five alignment getting to proper leverage in types of plays like that and I’ll give my all each and every play until I can’t and need a substitution type thing but my film definitely supports hard work and grit and I feel like I have good strike and get off and reaction time and good strength to post inside and out and have the speed to get to my spot and have long arms to use a bull rush to my advantage and that’s what shows the most playing in between guards, tackles and centers.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I feel like I don’t allow things in my way to set my back. I always just believe in myself and trust the process and just simply not giving up and that goes a long way and I instill that in myself as a player.

What would a team get in a player like you?

Hard working individual, strong defensive lineman physically and mentally, powerful run stopper, very capable pass rusher and a prideful leader.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

Living in the moment and football is a sport that is very intentional with the intensity and that’s the biggest thing I love and appreciate about the game and people are very invested whether your a person in the crowd in the audience or a coach getting the team fired up or a player getting the team fired up. Different aspects of football all add up ultimately to the emotion and intensity that the game brings not only to players and coaches but outsiders as well. Just a lovely game that it is within itself even though it’s a violent sport but people are very invested and people are very intentional with how the game is formatted.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Onte Burns, this is an individual who I believe should be in the league right now. Throughout my time as his teammate he was undersized as a linebacker. The biggest thing that gave Onte an advantage was his intelligence, knowing literally everything everyone had to do out on the football field at that given moment. I had the privilege of playing with him for a season and he’s taught me alot as a football player and for him being undersized was a hell of a player and he holds the record for tackles at my school I believe and he was the latest all american at my school as well and definitely someone who I appreciate and honor as a college athlete and someone who I believe should be playing professionally today.