University of Minnesota Athletics

2015 Football Roster

Craig James
Jersey Number 22

Craig James

  • Class:
    Sophomore
  • Position:
    DB
  • Hometown:
    Edwardsville, Ill.
  • High School:
    Edwardsville HS
Photo Gallery

2015 - SOPHOMORE?SEASON: Played in five games - started as team's primary punt returner, returning 12 punts in first five contests - made five tackles on defense and special teams - missed final half of the season with an injury. Game-by-Game: Saw action but did not record any statistics versus TCU - registered two tackles and returned a pair of punts for nine yards at Colorado State - returned seven punts for 11 yards and added a tackle versus Kent State - tallied three punt returns against Ohio - recorded a pair of tackles at Northwestern.

2014 - FRESHMAN?SEASON:
Played in all 13 games - returned punts in the final nine games of the season after Marcus Jones suffered an injury - returned 16 punts 139 yards - tallied eight tackles and three pass breakups. Game-by-Game: Notched one tackle and broke up two passes as he made Minnesota and collegiate debut against Eastern Illinois - made two tackles against Middle Tennessee - played at TCU and against San Jose State where he also fair caught one punt - made one tackle and returned four punts for 66 yards at Michigan - returned three punts and broke up one pass against Northwestern - made two tackles and returned one punt 19 yards against Purdue - returned one punt 6 yards at Illinois - returned one punt 11 yards and asssisted on one tackle against Iowa - played against Ohio State - returned a punt 12 yards at Nebraska - returned four punts at Wisconsin - returned one punt 10 yards and made one tackle against Missouri.

OVERVIEW: Listed as a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals, Scout and 247Sports - ESPN ranked him as the No. 27 player in Illinois, while 247Sports had him at No. 32 - the No. 48 defensive back in the nation accoring to ESPN, No. 69 by 247Sports and No. 80 by Scout.

HIGH?SCHOOL: Attended Edwardsville High School - helped lead his team to a 12-1 record as a senior, as the Tigers advanced to the Class 7A semifinals - named first team All-Southwestern Conference, 2013 St. Louis "All-American" Football Team and honorable mention All-State - made 28 tackles - picked off four passes and broke up three more - returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns - second-team all-state defensive back for Class 7A, first team All-Southwestern Conference and first team All-St. Louis Metro as a junior - made 23 tackles, grabbed six interceptions and recovered two fumbles - scored three of his six touchdowns on returns (two on kickoff returns and one on an interception return) - team went 10-2 and advanced to the Class 7A quarterfinals - as a junior was a member of school's 800-meter relay team, which won a state title with a time of 1:27.98.

PERSONAL: Born April 29, 1996 - son of Pamela Beverly-James - has one brother, Cameron, who played wide receiver at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill.

Coach Fleck Previews Iowa
Monday, October 20
Greg Eslinger Honored
Monday, October 20
Coach Fleck Postgame Interview
Saturday, October 18
Highlights: Gophers 24, Nebraska 6
Friday, October 17