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Having been a Miami Hurricanes fan since 1984, I have always
taken pride in how many players from the program have made it the NFL and made a
significant impact. Recently, the stream
of players has slowed quite a bit but one diamond in the rough, that I think,
if given the chance, will not only make an NFL roster but could be a star, is
Mike James.
James has that middle to late round star running back
written all over him. His college stats
compare quite nicely with another late round pick, Terrell Davis. Only look at
guys like Adrian Foster, Alfred Morris, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis to know you
can find a franchise back at any time in the draft or after it. The
thing about Mike James, to go with his athletic ability, is the character and
wisdom of someone much more seasoned than a college senior. Any NFL team looking for a talented high
character running back needs to look no further than Mike James from the
University of Miami.
What are your official
height, weight, bench and speed?
Mike James: I am
5-11 ½ and roughly 222 pounds. I run a
low 4.5. Last time I benched I did 225
pounds twenty eight times.
What other school
recruited you besides Miami?
MJ: I got offers
from a lot of schools including Florida State, USF, all the Big East schools,
every school in the ACC, except North Carolina and North Carolina State. I also got an offer from Notre Dame.
Tell me a little
about your work that allowed you to be nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good
Works Team?
MJ: I enjoy doing
community work such as volunteering for Empowered Youth, project manager for
the 2012 University of Miami Bone Marrow Drive and serving meals to the
homeless, anything to help others in challenging situations. I was
just doing what I usually did before playing at Miami. I grew up in a tough situation, but no matter
what, you can always help others, as someone always has it worse.
As the two year
anniversary of your mother’s passing just happened, I have to ask where you
found the strength to play in the Bowl game that year against Notre Dame eleven
days after the accident. MJ: Playing in the bowl game was the
toughest thing I ever did but being on the field with my teammates eased my
mind. I did not want the last image I
had for the year, to be my mom laying there after the accident. I just felt I needed to be on the field
with my guys and make my mother and family proud.
How challenging have
the past two seasons been at Miami? Did you ever regret your decision to go to
Miami? Crazy, challenging and unreal happiness, but I don’t regret anything
about my time at Miami. I didn’t share
that I suffered from turf toe my junior year, as I wasn’t looking for pity and
knew with a coaching change I needed to stay on the field.
What was the biggest
adjustment between Coach Al Golden and Coach Randy Shannon?
MJ: Attitude. Coach Shannon and Coach Golden have very
different styles and very different demeanor.
I was brought in by Coach Shannon so I was technically his guy, but
Coach Golden has been great too. I’ve
learned a lot from both men and can never thank them enough.
What are your
feelings of playing special teams?
MJ: I love
playing special teams. I love dominating
the guy in front of me. I just want to
be on the field whether it is as a fullback, tailback or special teams.
Who has been the best
player you faced during your football career either at Miami or as an opponent?
MJ: Best opponent was Marvin Austin
at North Carolina, and the best player I knew as a teammate was Sean Spence
(currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
Sean really packed a punch and is a special talent.
What is something an
NFL scout or coach couldn’t learn about you by just watching game film?
MJ: I consider
myself an intelligent player who loves to break plays down to learn the inside
and out of the play. I often laminate
plays to have them with me to study.
With no bowl game to
show your skills one last time, what are you doing to stay in shape in
preparation for the April Draft?
MJ: Working out
every day. Some all-star games like the
East/West Shrine and the Raycom College Football All-Star Classic.
Who has big the
biggest influence on your football career?
MJ: My mom was
the reason I played. She wanted me
involved in sports, so I played for her.
If a scout, coach and
general manager wanted to see Mike James at his best at Miami what game film
would you give them?
MJ: The games
from my senior year would be the Georgia Tech, Florida State or the North Carolina
game.
Finish this
sentence. When Mike James was a kid I
pretended to be _________ when I played football with my family and friends?
MJ:
Emmitt Smith and Terrell Davis
After your football
career is complete where do you see yourself career wise?
MJ: Right now I
am working as a marketing intern for the Miami Dolphins and working on my
Masters. I can see myself in the world
of sports in some capacity.
If you could have
dinner with any three people who would they be?
MJ: Vince
Lombardi, as he had the mind of a winner; JFK, just to pick his brain, and
Martin Luther King, as he was such a great leader but without any violence.
Describe yourself in
a few words?
MJ: Loyal, tough,
honest and charismatic.
Can fans follow you
on Twitter?
MJ: @Prince_James_5
Follow me on twitter at @ftballdialogue
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