Glad to see him balling out at the practices
Heres what was said:
James, however, had the last laugh on Thursday. In team, James sniffed out a WR screen on one play and met a running back in the backfield for a big tackle for loss on another. Then, in 1-on-1s, it was James who bested some of the better-receiving backs in SMU’s Brashard Smith (the 3-year WR convert) and Georgia’s Trevor Etienne.
At 6’1”, 226 lbs, James certainly fits the more modern style of off-ball backer, though he plays 5-10 lbs bigger than his size. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in athleticism, play recognition, and patience in both coverage and run defense. James is one of the few underclassmen who attended the Senior Bowl, and he made his presence known despite the age gap. The 20-year-old, 2.5-year starter took a step back on the tackling front in 2024, though a season-ending knee injury may have contributed to his overall inconsistencies.
Heres what was said:
Shemar James, LB, Florida
After a quiet first two practices, Florida’s Shemar James absolutely showed out to cap off the week. James was everywhere on Thursday, from flying downhill in the run game in team periods, or locking down well-regarded passcatching running backs in 1-on-1s — more specifically, a 1-on-1 period that essentially sets up the backs to embarrass opposing linebackers.James, however, had the last laugh on Thursday. In team, James sniffed out a WR screen on one play and met a running back in the backfield for a big tackle for loss on another. Then, in 1-on-1s, it was James who bested some of the better-receiving backs in SMU’s Brashard Smith (the 3-year WR convert) and Georgia’s Trevor Etienne.
At 6’1”, 226 lbs, James certainly fits the more modern style of off-ball backer, though he plays 5-10 lbs bigger than his size. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in athleticism, play recognition, and patience in both coverage and run defense. James is one of the few underclassmen who attended the Senior Bowl, and he made his presence known despite the age gap. The 20-year-old, 2.5-year starter took a step back on the tackling front in 2024, though a season-ending knee injury may have contributed to his overall inconsistencies.
