Chris James

Class:
Graduate Student
Ht./Wt.:
6-0 / 200
Position:
S
Hometown:
Orange, Texas
High School:
West Orange-Stark
Last College:
Illinois

Prior to SFA: Spent four seasons at Big Ten Conference mainstay Illinois … Graduated from the University of Illinois in May 2018 with a degree in Recreation Sport and Tourism … Two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection … Played in a total of 31 games for the Fighting Illini across his final three seasons, making six starts as a defensive back … Tallied 43 total tackles, including 15 solo stops and two tackles for loss, three pass breakups and 0.5 a sack … Played in nine games with two starts at nickel as a junior in 2017, registering 14 tackles, including 10 unassisted, and 0.5 a tackle for loss … Played in all 12 games with four starts at defensive back as a sophomore in 2016, recording 23 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups … Started four of the first five games of the 2016 season … Notched a career-high six tackles against North Carolina and Western Michigan and posted a tackle for loss at Nebraska … Claimed his first career 0.5 sack against Western Michigan and made a career-high two pass breakups in the 2016 opener against Murray State … After redshirting as a true freshman in 2014, played in 10 games as a redshirt freshman in 2015, mostly on special teams … Made six total tackles on the season, including five solo stops … Enjoyed a fruitful prep career at West Orange-Stark High School in Orange, Texas, and was rated a two-star recruit by 247Sports.com … Three-year varsity football letter winner and four-year track & field letter winner … Beaumont Enterprise 2013 Super Gold First Team, calling him "One of the best man cover corners in southeast Texas" … First-team All-District 21 3A honoree in 2013 after leading team to 11-2 record … Had 58 tackles, three interceptions, one sack and returned a fumble for a touchdown on defense, while rushing for 685 yards and eight touchdowns on 108 carries (6.3 yards per carry) and catching 17 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns in 2013 … Played in only two games in 2012 due to injury … Lettered at Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas, in 2011 … State qualifier in 4x100m relay and 4x200m relay in 2012 … Honor roll student … Son of Chris and Felicia James … Has two brothers and five sisters.