Shemar James, Linebacker
School: Faith Academy (Mobile, Ala.)
Height / Weight: 6 feet-2, 210 pounds
SI All-American Ranking: Number 18 (National), Number 2 (LB position)
Procurement History
It was an uneventful effort by the Florida Gators to hire the 2022 class, and it ended hopefully for new coach Billy Napier, given the limited time he had to work to gather a useful transition class.
A significant factor in this success was the acquisition of one of the best players in the nation online Shemar James.
Arguably the most compelling and positive story of any 2022 class Gators recruitment, James initially committed to the Gators at the end of his official visit to Gainesville in the summer of 2021.
By clicking with coach Christian Robinson from the start, the Alabama prospect made an oral decision to continue his football career with him in Florida.
As the season began to plummet, James withdrew from the Gators in an attempt to explore his chances as a top recruit. His departure marked another stain on Mullen’s resume as things began to clear up for his release in November.
James was away from Florida for almost two months.
However, despite approaching Gators as the December signing date approached, Napier and the few staff he had for Signature Day launched a comprehensive piece of the program for the future.
IMG Academy (Fla.) While security Kamari Wilson was the head of the class, the linebacker of the Faith Academy (Ala.) came very close to the UF’s essential board.
Connecting with defensive coordinator Patrick Toney – and reviving a strong relationship with Robinson, which the Gators continued to work on while they were preparing for the bowling alley – James put Florida back on the table as a hat for his prediction.
The Gators were next to the top two in Georgia and Alabama.
While the 2022 class is securing another commitment from the 2nd line player and the No. 18 national perspective, according to YES All-American, lack of involvement would not be decisive in making the decision to move elsewhere.
Consistent contact led to a move in the direction of Florida in the hours leading up to the signing of the push. Luckily for Gators, where there is smoke, there is a fire.
Go Continue
James pledged himself once again to continue his player career in Florida and blocked him from signing on the dotted lines.
Where it enters
Jay Bateman’s inner linebacker room will soon open after the veteran-led 2022 season.
Now equipped with the talents of fifth-year seniors Ventrell Miller and Amari Burneyconsisting of such as Derek Wingo, Diwun Black and Jeremiah “Scooby” WilliamsThe Gators will have plenty of faces to watch their first year of redshirt play time before James play.
While the current lineup isn’t impressed, it’s likely that the unit will have a great rotation, with the likes of Miller Wingo, Black and Burney being constant.
The mix of veterans and new pieces for the team will be a welcome addition to those who have witnessed the problems they have faced in the second tier in recent years.
However, despite a season of mental and physical adjustment to college, James still has a viable opportunity to see the field early in his career.
Miller and Burney, with the exception of unforeseen circumstances, have a blockade from leaving the program after this year. While this leaves a hole in the lead, it allows young talents currently buried in the depth board to claim the top spot.
In that case, the safest of the lifters would be James.
In a defensive system that emphasizes the importance of highlighting the strengths of its players, the Gators have taken on a similar volatility at all three levels of defense.
James gives Florida a versatile piece of this puzzle.
“They said they wanted to do a lot for me, and you know, play me in space and show my versatility,” James said. AllGators in January after his second official visit to Florida.
He will serve especially on the weak side, allowing him to use his elite athletics and side-to-side speed to his full potential. In this role of WILL, James will be free to smell the ball carrier while running downhill while working as a defender, acting as a cover-up where he has shown a seemingly safe ability to play ball, and running a lot for the walker. the catastrophe created a level of preparation in the background as he did.
If the skills return, and he continues to move beyond the natural athleticism that has led him here, he may be a legitimate aspect of James Gators ’defense in time.
Early in his career, James has the opportunity to use his speed, athleticism and head-hunting style to give a spark to special teams in the “game-changing” phase of the Gators ’outdoor combat.
It would follow a similar development path as others that now fill the depth zones.
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