FSU standout safety
FSU star DB startled by hype but eager to be Seminoles’ leader
Derwin James enters the 2017 season with great expectations after missing last season with a knee injury.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Derwin James woke up one morning in late June confused after a bombardment of congratulatory messages from family and friends.
Despite playing in barely seven quarters last season, Sports Illustrated named James the No. 1 player in college football heading into the 2017 season.
James was even ranked ahead of Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. The distinction caught James, the Florida State standout safety, by surprise.
“I was kinda shocked because I didn’t even play last year,” James said Thursday in an interview during the ACC Kickoff. “Now I know what I have to do. I have to take [my game] to another height.”
James enters his third season with the Seminoles with preseason hype while rebounding from a torn meniscus in his left knee that sidelined him in 2016.
Along with the top billing, James was named to the watch lists for the Maxwell Award
(Player of the Year), Bednarik and Nagurski Awards (defensive player of the year) and Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back). He also could also be named to the Paul Hornung (most versatile player) and Walter Camp Award (most outstanding player) lists next week.
A standout season may also warrant Heisman Trophy and first-round NFL draft consideration.
Despite the lofty expectations, James has his eyes on another prize.
“I rather win the championship,” he said succinctly. “Just winning the Heisman doesn’t mean you win the championship. I want to win the championship.”
Florida State opens the season with a highly anticipated matchup against Alabama on Sept. 2 in Atlanta, hoping to kick off the year with a résumé-building victory.
The Seminoles, preseason favorites to win the Atlantic Coast Conference over Clemson and Louisville, are looking to win the league title and return to the College Football Playoff semifinals for the first time since 2014.
James’ presence will be instrumental for Florida State to attain those goals this season.
The Seminoles felt the loss of James immediately after he suffered his injury in the second half of a blowout win at home against Charleston Southern in Week 2 of the 2016 season. His defensive presence was sorely missed when FSU lost 63-20 at Louisville and fell at home to North Carolina thanks to a late field goal.
At one point last season, FSU’s defense ranked near the bottom of the NCAA in several statistical categories before turning the season around with a victory thanks to a blocked extra point kick by DeMarcus Walker at Miami. FSU finished the season on a 7-1 run, with a thrilling victory against Michigan in the Orange Bowl. The sole loss was a tight battle with Clemson.
“Of course it hurt,” James said of being sidelined, “because I wanted to be out there to contribute to my team, and help my team in the best way I could.
“But it was time for me to be patient. And now the time is here.”
James says he feels “10 times better” than he did before the injury. He is now weighing 220 pounds, and says he’s even faster after gaining eight pounds.
And if there were any concerns about him playing apprehensively, James washed away those doubts with an explosive outing during FSU’s Garnet and Gold spring game in April. He led all players with seven tackles and two sacks, flying around Doak Campbell Stadium with ease.
“I got to put on the helmet again, just running around and making plays that I know I can make and that I was comfortable making,” James said of his first return to action. “I felt normal, like I didn’t miss a beat.”
James admits he was taken back by Sports Illustrated’s ranking, especially being ranked ahead of Jackson. But he isn’t shying away from the hype heading into what could be his final season of college football.
“I do think I’m the best player in the country,” he said, “because of the way I make people around me better, and the way I help my teammates.”