DJ

James

James (6’0/175) is a two-time Second Team All-SEC performer who never missed a game in his college career due to injury. James allowed six receptions for a total of 23 yards against upper echelon SEC competition, with 18 pass breakups and three interceptions over the past two seasons. He mirrors wide receivers extremely well and displays fluidity in his hips which makes his change of direction seamless. He isn’t afraid to tackle but can tend to go for the lower body on the due to his smaller frame which can lead to some missed tackles (13.7% in ‘23) and difficulty handling larger X receivers on the outside. His 4.42s 40-yard dash (90th%) helps in recovery, but both of his agility tests charted in the sub-25th percentile, which accounts for his middling 5.82 relative athletic score. James has some intriguing data points on his profile, but will need to overcome his slight frame and prove he can tackle at the next level if he is going to stick around in the pros.

This is a big boost to the Tigers’ secondary. James (6'0/185) decided to come home as the Alabama native will make the move to the SEC. He had a breakout year for Oregon with 46 tackles and four passes defended. This is one of those impactful pickups from the portal as he was one of those types of defenders an offense would make sure to keep the ball away from.

Hill (6'0/200) and James (6'0/180) landed themselves in hot water this summer when they were arrested and charged with three counts of eckless Endangering, Assault, Unlawful Discharge Firearm, and Disorderly Conduct after firing an AirSoft rifle at pedestrians in early August. Both sophomore have apparently done enough to return to the team, as HC Mario Cristobal announced that both will be available for Saturday’s showdown with the Buckeyes. On the team’s updated depth chart, Hill is listed as the backup to Bennett Williams at the Ducks’ STAR hybrid position, while James is listed as one of three possible starters at boundary corner.

Hill and James are each facing three counts of reckless Endangering, Assault, Unlawful Discharge Firearm, and Disorderly Conduct. A pedestrian who was shot in the face late Tuesday night called Eugene Police, and two other witnesses reported similar experiences to law enforcement officials. Hill, a sophomore safety, and James, a sophomore cornerback, are both projected starters for the Ducks. HC Mario Cristobal has now announced the two defensive backs are suspended indefinitely with Bennett Williams and Dontae Manning taking over their starting spots in the first training camp practice since the incident. The Ducks face Fresno State on September 4 before traveling to Columbus to take on the vaunted Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 2.

Per the report, Hill and James are each facing three counts of reckless Endangering, Assault, Unlawful Discharge Firearm, and Disorderly Conduct. A pedestrian who was shot in the face late Tuesday night called Eugene Police, and two other witnesses reported similar experiences to law enforcement officials. Hill, a sophomore safety, and James, a sophomore cornerback, are both projected starters for the Ducks.

James ranks as the 45th best cornerback in the class by 247 Sports composite rankings, and the 24th best player in the state of Alabama. He chooses the Bulldogs over offers from schools like Auburn, Florida and Ole Miss. At 6-foot, 175-pounds, he has the size and measurables you look for in an outside corner. You can never have too many of those.

James (6'0/175) has been committed to the Bulldogs since last February. He has thus far taken official visits to Mississippi State and Nebraska. He’ll be off on official visits each of the next two weekends, with Oregon first up and Ole Miss to follow. Iowa and Georgia Tech are among the programs that could potentially draw his last official visit on the final weekend before National Signing Day. On the 247Sports composite board, the Spanish Fort, Alabama, native ranks as the No. 69 cornerback prospect in the 2019 class.

James had committed to the Bulldogs in February of last year, but the 6-foot, 175-pound corner didn’t sign in December, and took an official visit to Oregon this weekend. James is rated the 69th best corner in this class by Rivals, and also had offers from Auburn, Nebraska, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech.