Jaishawn Barham flips from South Carolina football recruiting class

South Carolina football landed a huge commitment from four-star linebacker prospect Jaishawn Barham over the weekend. The defender is rated as the nation’s 92nd-best player according to Rivals, regardless of position. He was the Gamecocks’ top-rated prospect in the class of 2022.

Unfortunately for South Carolina, his commitment to the program lasted all of three days.

This morning, the Maryland native chose to stay home, spurning the Gamecocks to sign with the hometown Terrapins.

Barham would’ve been a huge get for the Gamecocks, who are in need of linebackers. Instead, he’ll stay home to play in the Big Ten. This one does hurt as he was the team’s most highly rated verbal commitment. It’s odd that he’d hold a televised commitment ceremony on Saturday just to flip a few days later, but maybe the Terrapins gave him something to think about with a last-minute pitch.

With Barham’s decommitment, the South Carolina recruiting class falls from No. 12 nationally all the way down to No. 18. It does, however, open up a spot for another player to join the group if available.

While losing Barham stings, the Gamecocks are still in good shape with the current class at the position. Four-star linebackers Stone Blanton and Donovan Westmoreland have already put pen to paper, making their pledges to South Carolina official earlier this morning.

Keep track of all Early Signing Day action here as Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks look to close out its 2022 class strong.