Linebacker Shemar James declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season at UF and was later invited to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. James was one of Florida’s top-rated recruits in Billy Napier’s 2022 transition class. The 6’1, 229-pound linebacker would combine for 166 tackles, five sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, four pass deflections, and one interception in his three-year career.
“Shemar was one of our original signees, he’s seen the good, bad, and the ugly,” Billy Napier said on James. “I think obviously was off to an incredible start, the injury in year two was a little bit of a setback. But he had a great year, team captain, three down player, can play on third down, he’s loose, can match in coverage, good special teams player, and obviously smart, brings a lot of positive energy to the building, always got a smile on his face, knows everybody’s name, just a guy you really enjoy coaching and being around.”
The Senior Bowl is a good opportunity for James to raise his NFL Draft stock as scouts are in attendance for the three days of practice.
“Everybody’s asking me about him because he’s had a good couple days here,” Napier told Gator Country. “Third down value, special teams value, and then the ability to be a good communicator. There’s no limits to what he can do, he’s got everything you’re looking for.”
Napier claims that the interview process will help James’ draft stock, as they will get a close look at the person he is off the football field.
“I think the interview process will do that for him,” Napier said on James raising his draft stock. “Once he gets in front of people and they realize how good of a person he is and what type of leadership and intangibles he’ll bring to the team.”
James took a lot of pride in mentoring the younger linebackers in his junior season. Paving the way for Myles Graham, Aaron Chiles, Pup Howard, among others, was a top priority for the Alabama native. James set a good example in his three years at UF.
“He was great,” Napier said on James’ leadership. “Shemar has been there and stayed there all through the good, the bad, and the ugly. He’s handled the adversity, he stayed the course, just good for him to go out with a four-game win streak. Felt like he contributed to kind of the turnaround this year. But yeah, he’s an inside backer that will play for a while.”
James showed off his open field speed in the Senior Bowl practices, specifically in coverage. James had two pass break ups in one on ones yesterday.
Follow along at Gator Country for more exclusive interviews from the Senior Bowl.