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Derwin James: Florida State star and future monster NFL safety

By Sayre Bedinger

Apr 8, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Derwin James (3) during the Spring Game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Derwin James (3) during the Spring Game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida State’s Derwin James missed all but two games last season due to injury, but he’s a freak of nature and will be a coveted NFL prospect…

Florida State safety Derwin James is about to become the most coveted safety prospect in America, if he isn’t already.

The 2015 Freshman of the Year in the ACC missed all but two games last season due to injury, but he’s coming back in 2017 and is doing so with the intent to destroy anyone and anything that gets in his way.

Literally.

James finished his stellar freshman campaign at Florida State with 91 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He didn’t get his first interception until he was a sophomore, but those interceptions should come with some more time on the field.

Athletically, this kid is a freak of nature at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds. Just looking at some pictures of him from the Spring at Florida State, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was up even closer to 220 pounds.

Daniel Jeremiah, one of the most trusted NFL Draft analysts out there, had this to say in regards to James for 2017:

"James has outstanding size, speed, explosiveness and versatility. He’s shown tremendous range when aligned in the deep half or deep middle (see pass breakup against Clemson). He can cover ground quickly and locate the ball once he arrives (see INT vs. Ole Miss). He’s been used as an outside linebacker at times and he’s a dynamic pass rusher. He can win with pure speed or a devastating inside counter move. James has the agility to match up with tight ends in man coverage and he possesses the makeup speed to recover if he gets out of position.Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com"

Pro Football Focus opined that we might be talking about James as the best defensive player in all of college football during the 2016 season, which obviously didn’t come to fruition because James was unable to be on the field for an entire season.

His ability to play the run and the pass with equal effectiveness are unmatched at his position, and hopefully in 2017, we’ll get to see more of what he’s capable of as a ball hawk. This is an exciting prospect, to say the least.

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