NFL Draft
2/17/25
6 min read
Shemar James 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Florida Gators LB
Height: 6013 (verified)
Weight: 226lbs (verified)
Year: Junior
Pro Comparison: Will Witherspoon
Scouting Overview
Florida Gators linebacker Shemar James is a dynamic athlete who offers bright flashes in all phases of the position. He is an absolute terror as a pressure player attacking on blitzes. He showcases the short-area burst and mobility to flip and unlock his hips in coverage to carry speed in the middle of the field and has his fair share of plug reps between the tackles.
James' consistency as a coverage and run defender should be further developed so he can fulfill his potential as a viable NFL starter. With proper growth, this player offers a three-down menu on the second level.
2025 NFL Combine Results
TBD
Positives
- Explosive range and mobility on the second level as a space defender
- Dynamic ability as a pass rusher to defeat blocks or burst through creases from depth
- He's a patient run processor, who trusts his speed and range
Negatives
- Take on ability against climbing offensive linemen will require further development
- Can overcommit pressing to close space against backs out of the backfield on angle or choice routes
- Tackling consistency can be better after some frustrating missed challenges in space or playing off contact in 2024
Background
James is from Mobile, AL, and played high school football for Faith Academy. There, he was a star recruit who garnered major attention from programs as a standout three-sport athlete. James played basketball and track in addition to his play on the gridiron. Rated as a 4-star linebacker (247 Sports), James committed to Florida over schools like Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, and others. He was selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America game.
As a true freshman in 2022, James played in all 13 games for the Gators with four starts. He claimed a full-time starting role in 2023 as a true sophomore and started the first eight games of the season before a season-ending left kneecap dislocation that required surgery and cost him the year. James returned in full force in 2024, starting all 13 games for Florida before declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft and foregoing his final season of eligibility.
A native of Mobile, AL, James accepted an invitation to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl in his hometown to finish his college career.
Tale Of The Tape
It’s easy to like the traits you’ll find when watching James. He’s an explosive athlete with high-end range, transitional quickness, active hands, and coverage potential. He’s not a fully refined player after leaving the Gators with an additional year of eligibility and 25 starts to his name, but he’s got the makeup of an NFL starter and should be targeted accordingly in April’s draft.
As a run defender, James has a sufficient build to play in the box. He could afford to add some added mass to help his efforts to negotiate blocks and play off of offensive linemen. James possesses effective length to extend and keep his chest clear from blockers climbing up onto the second level, but his overall power to play up through his base and create a jolt or knockback at the point of attack can be a point of emphasis moving forward.
James is confident in his burst and range, showcasing a willingness to scrape over the top or run under blocks on stretch concepts that can allow him to either meet the back over the top or run back into his hip pocket if his teammates force a cut back into the field.
James’ patience can best him against motion and quick-hitting action out of the backfield, as sudden mesh points and quarterback action on the back side of plays can hold him firm and put him into recovery mode as a playside defender. If you’re willing to play him as a WILL and allow him to use his speed and burst, he should be a capable rally defender who chases down the football in pursuit, thanks to his range and hot motor.
In the passing game, James really shines. He possesses good coverage ability in space in zone or match coverage over the middle. He particularly shines in coverage, cutting crossers or carrying speed up the middle of the field. He has the foot speed to transition and trigger on action in front of his face, and he needs dynamic hips to flip open and carry while relating to a middle-of-the-field target.
He’s been tested by receivers and tight ends at three-strong and successfully compressed the middle of the field, but he also showcases the ability to expand vs. swing routes before converting off-schedule to carry backs up the sideline.
James is even better as a pressure player, showing slipperiness through contact against offensive linemen or skill players attempting to block him. There’s an innate ability to force missed punches or play through the strike zone of blockers. He’s a monster from the second level with his burst and body control to manipulate blockers and seize tight angles to the quarterback.
This value on passing downs meshes well with league trends and should afford James ample opportunities to polish his game. If it all clicks and James can add some more stout play against blockers in the run game and further develop his run anticipation, he has the makings of a quality starter in the NFL.
Ideal Scheme Fit, Role
James projects favorably as a WILL linebacker at the NFL level. This puts him in a prime position to chase and pursue the football freely as a space defender in the run game and mitigate some of his stature questions about playing in a congested box.
James has a high-coverage ceiling and impact passing-down abilities to stay on the field in nickel defenses. He should be regarded as a developmental starter.
Grade: 74.50/100.00, Third Round Value
Big Board Rank: TBD
Position Rank: TBD
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