Article: After Early Struggles, Kamran James Positions Himself For Breakout Year

By: Nick Marcinko -- August 17, 2025

One of the many things I’ve noticed in my three plus seasons covering Florida football is that every athlete has a different path to success. Some players are more prepared than others to contribute early. Some need to add weight, muscle, and speed before they hit the field. Others lack the technique and fundamentals to play as a freshman.

As a top 100 recruit in the 2023 recruiting class, many expected edge rusher Kamran James to make an immediate impact in Gainesville. That wasn’t exactly the case as James logged just 77 defensive snaps as a freshman. The 6’6, 270-pound Orlando native primarily played basketball growing up and juggled both sports throughout high school, which led to a difficult transition into SEC football.

“Tough transition at first”: After early struggles, Kamran James positions himself for breakout year | GatorCountry.com