Mobile, Ala - Speed truly is the name of the game in the NFL, especially on offense. The wide receivers are faster, the running backs are quicker, the tight ends are picking up the pace (and bigger), and even the offensive linemen are moving like pickup trucks. To compensate, NFL teams are not only looking at corners to cover these downfield threats, but they are also looking at linebackers to keep up. No one encapsulated that more during his time at the Senior Bowl than Shemar James out of Florida. During the week of practices, he clocked in at 20.71 miles per hour (MPH), the seventh-fastest among all players, fifth-fastest amongst defensive players, and the fastest linebacker, just ahead of Notre Dame's Jack Kiser at 20.55 MPH.
Outside of his play on the field, he fits the role of a leader and player who is willing to do anything asked of him to make an NFL roster.
"I'm a high energy, high motor guy, high effort guy. I'm making sure I'm doing whatever is best for the team," James said. "Whether it's special teams, scout team, or whether that's a rotation backer in the system. Whatever it is, I'll get on the field and put my best foot forward."
Shemar James
Position: Linebacker
School: Florida
Year: Senior
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 229 lbs
40-yard Dash: 4.49 seconds
2024 Season Stats: 64 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, three PBU's
Current Draft Projection: Day 2 Pick (via The Draft Network)
Career Overview
James is quite familiar with Mobile, with him being a native son of the city and playing high school football at Faith Academy. While there he rose to being a four-star prospect and was ranked at the 95th best player in the nation. While it wasn't always the prettiest, James put up solid numbers throughout his college career. He was having a strong sophomore season before he suffered a dislocated kneecap against Georgia, ending his season.
"My experience at college was great. I faced a little bit of adversity my sophomore year with my knee injury, but I mean it was great," James said. "(I went through) ups and downs, (but) I have no regrets about going to the University of Florida."
James came back and had his best season with the Gators, totaling 64 tackles, four for loss, two sacks, and an interception. His crowing jewel of a game was against then No. 22 LSU where he racked up 11 tackles, two sacks, and two pass breakups in the Gators 27-16 win.
Player Comparison: Patrick Queen
Sometimes the players that guys compare themselves to are right on the money. When I spoke with James after day two of practices, he brought up Patrick Queen, and the similarities came into view. They have similar physical traits in speed (James ran a 4.49 40-yard dash to Queen's 4.5), height (James is 6'1", Queen is 6'0") and weight (James is 229 lbs, Queen is 232 lbs). The only differences come from their consistency in their production versus the amount of production. James averaged 55.3 tackles a season, three tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks per season across his three seasons. Queen on the other hand didn't play much as a freshman at LSU, played a bit more his sophomore season before breaking out in 2019 for the Tigers. In their national title run, Queen put in 85 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, and an interception. Between the lack of "big" numbers and his injury in his sophomore season, it's easy to see why James is projected as a day-two pick instead of a first-rounder like Queen was. Yet if James finds the right scheme, he maybe ready to have a breakout like Queen did in his final year of college.
The Fit
There is a trio of NFC teams that would love to acquire the services of the Florida linebacker: the Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders, and Seattle Seahawks. The Packers' Isaiah McDuffie is set to be an unrestricted free agent, so even if McDuffie doesn't re-sign there will be a gaping hole at linebacker next to Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper, which James could fill. While Bobby Wagner for the Commanders is still producing at a strong level at age 34, he will be an unrestricted free agent, and who knows when the drop in production will start to fall off a cliff. James could instantly become the starter with Nick Bellore entering his 16th season in the league. Even if the Commanders opt to re-sign Wagner, that would be a great spot for James to go and be mentored by one of the best linebackers of the 21st century. As for the Seahawks, while they do have Ernest Jones IV on one side of that 3-4 scheme, James could be an excellent fit instead of 2024 fourth-round pick Tyrice Knight. It would make for one of the best inside linebacker duos in the league for years to come in Seattle.
Here is my full interview with Shemar James during Senior Bowl week:
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