Interview: 2022 4-Star ATH Shemar James Lighting Up Alabama Squads as Two-Way Standout
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The overall physical gifts and abilities that Class of 2022 athlete Shemar James brings to the gridiron is an amazing sight to see. He is one of the rare talents that could conceivably be a star athlete in any sport you can name, basketball, track, wrestling, and even badminton if he had the desire. As is, he is a standout four-star recruit for Faith Academy (10-1) playing football bringing the pain to 5A Alabama foes.
The Rams coaching staff have done a great job of utilizing James’ talents to impact a game on both sides of the ball this season. On offense, the 6-3, 205-pounder, has hauled in 31 passes for 396 yards with six scores and carried the rock 38 times for 182 more yards crossing into the end zone five more times. At middle linebacker, it is best if the opposition keeps quiet in between snaps. James has been lighting up jokers like a Christmas tree coming in with 52 stops, 41 solo, eight tackles for a loss, five sacks, and a pick.
College programs across the country want James on their roster. To date, 14 offers have been extended and his recruiting stock continues to rise.
Interview
Shemar, given how your all-around athletic talents shine on the field, I see elements of other sports in what you do. What other varsity sports are you competing in for Faith Academy?
Basketball and I run track, and I want to play soccer.
I would have guessed wrestling as well by how you super-suplex running backs and quarterbacks.
(Laughs) The reason I do that, people say stuff under their breath. I get mad, and I don’t control myself during a play. That just happens.
The offensive coordinator at Faith uses you in a lot of different ways as a receiving target lining up on the outside and inside. What are some of the routes you’ve been running this season?
I run a lot of fades, slants, hitches, and post-corners. They like to expand my horizons running comebacks and stuff like that as well.
You have a burst in space with your cuts and a next gear that is unreal. What is your best 40-time or best-timed run?
4.49
Running track, which events are you competing in?
The 100, 200, and 4×1.
What is your best time in your best event?
The 200 is my favorite. It is more about who can finish and maintain. 22.6 is my personal best. This year was my first running the 200.
Impressive. On defense, so it seems, you bring out a different side of your personality. There is an intensity you bring to the game at middle linebacker that is hard to match. What gets you fired up to play at that level?
My coach, Coach (Jack) French, tells us to play every play like it is your last. I play the way I was taught to play, and I have fun playing it.
Do you have a favorite position?
(Pause) I’d say middle linebacker is my favorite.
As a linebacker, which areas of your game are showing the most growth this season?
Instead of me just blitzing every time, I can read the offense, read their flow and react. I got a pick in the first round of the playoffs. That was my first at middle linebacker.
Congrats.
Thank you.
And on offense, where are you seeing the big gains?
All of the 50-50 balls, I try to make them 99-1 balls. My blocking, I know every receiver likes to catch the ball but I like to block just as much. My routes are crisp. I have been trying to perfect everything.
Which has been your best game this season?
My best game was against Sylacauga.
What did you do well against Sylacauga to make it your best?
That game was one of my best, not sure if it was the best but it is the most recent one I can remember. I executed every time on offense. Every time he threw me the ball I was making plays and did well on defense. I feel like I did my job and executed it perfectly.
The Rams rolled through the regular season and are keeping the same pace through the first two games in the playoffs. In your view, how is the team looking?
We are getting better every week. Coach French tells us to take it one play at a time and he tells us Faith, Fight, and Finish; the three Fs. We have faith, we’ve been finishing, and we fight. On each play we play for God and after each practice we pray. We see all the things people are doing, we play as a family and are getting better each week.
UMS Wright Prep (8-4) is next. What kind of game are you expecting from them?
A hard game. They will play all four quarters, maybe five if needed. They are a great team with a great coach. We expect nothing less than a fight from them.
Let’s talk recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
Colorado, Kentucky, and Florida State.
How many offers are in your hands?
Fourteen.
Which program was the first to offer you?
Tennessee.
Which were the last couple to offer?
LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Penn State, and Louisville.
James’ Offer Sheet: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, LSU, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, and Tennessee
When visits start again in 2021, which programs would you like to go see?
I have some I want to see. The first is probably Alabama, Tennessee, and either Auburn, LSU, or Georgia.
Shemar, I enjoyed going over your play on the field and recruiting today. Wishing you and the Rams success the rest of the way until we talk again.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: James family; Shemar James