Cory James

Cory Miguel James (born May 22, 1993) is an American football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Colorado State, and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Cory James

James with the Oakland Raiders in the 2016 NFL season
Calgary Stampeders
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1993-05-22) May 22, 1993 Del Rio, Texas
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:	Del Rio (TX)
College:	Colorado State
NFL Draft:	2016 / Round: 6 / Pick: 194
Career history
Oakland Raiders (2016–2017) Calgary Stampeders (2020–present)
Roster status:	Active
CFL status:	American
Career NFL statistics as of 2017
Total tackles: 104 Sacks: 0.0 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 0 Interceptions: 0 Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

High school career

James attended Del Rio High School, in Del Rio, Texas where he lettered twice in football. As a junior in 2009, he started all 13 games. As a senior in 2010, he started the first eight games before suffering a torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Before suffering the injury, he had recorded, combined as a junior and senior, 116 tackles, 26 tackles-for-loss, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Despite his injury, James was voted the District 29-5A Co-Linebacker of the Year as well as First team All-District for the second consecutive year.

While at Del Rio High School, James also played on the schools baseball team. As a football player, he was recruited by TCU, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas State, Louisiana Tech and East Carolina Pirates football.[1]

College career

James then attended Colorado State where he majored in liberal arts.

In 2011, he redshirted, granting him a fifth year of eligibility. In 2012 as a redshirt freshman, he set a school record with 7.5 sacks. He finished the season with 54 tackles (26 solo) and 10.5 tackles-for-loss. He earned freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America and College Football News (Second-team), as well as Second team national All-Freshman and Season team All-Mountain West by Phil Steele.

In 2013 as a redshirt sophomore, James started 13 games. He recorded 60 tackles (29 solo), eight sacks, 12 tackles-for-loss, one pass broken up, two forced fumbles and five quarterback hurries. In 2014 as a redshirt junior, appeared in all 13 games with 12 starts. He recorded 51 tackles (29 solo), a team leading 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 6.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries and once forced fumble. In 2015 as a redshirt senior, he appeared in all 13 games, starting 12. He recorded 65 tackles (28 solo), two sacks and 10 tackles-for-loss.[1]

Career statistics

Colorado State Rams career statistics[2]
Year	Team	GP/GS	Tackles				Sacks	Pass defense		Fumbles		Safeties	TDs
			Solo	Ast	Total	TFL	No	Int	PD	FF	FR
2011	Col. St.	0 / 0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2012	Col. St.	-- / --	27	27	54	11	7.5	0	1	1	0	0	0
2013	Col. St.	13 / 13	29	30	59	12	8	0	1	2	0	0	0
2014	Col. St.	13 / 12	30	21	51	8.5	6.5	0	1	1	0	0	0
2015	Col. St.	13 / 12	28	37	65	10.0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career		-- / --	114	115	229	41.5	24	0	3	4	0	0	0

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	229 lb (104 kg)	4.60 s	1.63 s	2.68 s	4.50 s	6.65 s	35 in (0.89 m)	10 ft 7 in (3.23 m)	16 reps
All values from Colorado State pro day[3]

Oakland Raiders

James was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round (194th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.[4] On May 20, 2016, he signed a four-year contract worth $2,472,480, including a $132,480 signing bonus.[5] He played in all 16 games with five starts, recording 48 tackles and one forced fumble.

James entered the 2017 season as one of the Raiders' starting outside linebackers. He started nine out of ten games played while dealing with a knee injury throughout the season. He missed two straight games before being placed on injured reserve on December 13, 2017 with the knee injury.[6]

On May 4, 2018, James was waived by the Raiders with a failed physical designation.[7]

Calgary Stampeders

James signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL on March 31, 2020.[8]

Personal life

Cory James is the son of Clarence and Sheila James. He also has one older brother, Zachary James. While in college, James volunteered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Larimer County, Colorado.[1]

References

1. "Cory James". Colorado State Rams. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
2. "Cory James Stats". College Football Reference. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
3. "Cory James - OLB". NFL Draft Scout.com. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
4. "Raiders Select Colorado State LB Cory James in 6th Round". Raiders.com. April 30, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
5. Bair, Scott (May 20, 2016). "Raiders sign sixth-round pick Cory James". CSNBayArea.com. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
6. "Raiders Sign Latham To Active Roster; Place James On IR". Raiders.com. December 13, 2017.
7. "Raiders waive Cory James, cut Armonty Bryant". SilverAndBlackPride.com. May 4, 2018.
8. "Stampeders sign linebacker Cory James". Stampeders.com. March 31, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.

External links

• Colorado State Rams bio
• Oakland Raiders bio