When Shemar James formally committed to play for Florida Football, the linebacker room in Gainesville wasn't in the best shape. Ventrell Miller had become solid, but there was a definite lack of depth behind him that forced James onto the field right away.
Now three years later, James is off to the NFL Draft having help build a room that he even he would have to fight for snaps in 2025.
Florida Football: Pass the torch
James announced on his Instagram page that he is declaring for the NFL Draft despite having one season of eligibility left. The Mobile, AL native originally committed to Florida under Dan Mullen, decommitted during October of 2021, but came back aboard after Mullen was fired and Billy Napier was hired.
James was quickly thrust into action in 2022 after Miller was hurt in the season opener. He split reps with Scooby Williams against USF and it was quickly apparent that James had a far better read of the game than most, and he just needed his physicality to catch up.
By the Tennessee game that year, James was already getting tabbed as a starter.
He was en route to a solid campaign in 2023 before the turf in Jacksonville reared its ugly head. His injury last season also revealed the Gators still had minimal depth behind him as the Gators embarked on a five-game losing streak.
But in 2024, there was genuine competition in the linebacker room. By all metrics, James didn't have as great of a 2024 season as his 2023 one. For example, his missed tackle rate went up, and he had fewer tackles for a "defensive stop" in 2024 than in 2023 despite taking over 200 more snaps this season.
However, the fact that guys like Pup Howard and Myles Graham stepped up behind him, along with guys like Aaron Chiles and incoming true freshmen Ty Jackson, is also a test of the leadership James commanded of the room.
In seasons past, the loss of someone like James to the draft would be devastating for Florida.
Now, he is able to pass the torch to the next man up as the Circle of Life continues.
James leaves Florida with 166 career total tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception.