Erasmus James

Erasmus James
No. 99, 78
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1982-11-04) November 4, 1982 (age 41)
Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:263 lb (119 kg)
Career information
High school:McArthur
(Hollywood, Florida)
College:Wisconsin (2001–2004)
NFL draft:2005 / round: 1 / pick: 18
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:38
Sacks:5.0
Forced fumbles:1
Pass deflections:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Erasmus James (born November 4, 1982) is a Kittitan-born former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, and earned consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He also played for the Washington Redskins, as well as for the New Mexico Stars of the Indoor Football League (IFL).[1]

Early life

[edit]

James was born in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. He attended McArthur High School in Hollywood, Florida, and was a standout for the McArthur Mustangs high school football and basketball teams. Despite not playing football until his senior year, he posted 14 quarterback sacks, and 53 tackles (23 for losses) in his only season.

College career

[edit]

James attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and played for the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 2001 to 2004. He played on the defensive line alongside teammate Anttaj Hawthorne and Jonathan Clinkscale. He finished his career with 124 tackles (25.5 for losses), 18 sacks, 28 quarterback hurries, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and six pass deflections. James was nicknamed "the Eraser" for his ability to sack opposing quarterbacks. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American following his senior season in 2004.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 4+18 in
(1.93 m)
266 lb
(121 kg)
4.81 s 1.63 s 2.77 s 4.44 s 7.56 s 37+12 in
(0.95 m)
10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
All values from NFL Combine.[2]

325-pound bench press. 600-pound squat.[3][4]

Minnesota Vikings

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James was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round with the 18th overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft.[5] During his rookie year, he compiled 28 total tackles and four sacks. James missed most of the 2006 and 2007 seasons with injuries. The Vikings made their intentions clear to waive James on May 23, 2008, but later rescinded the waiver after the Washington Redskins offered a conditional 2009 seventh-round draft choice. He finished his injury-plagued career with the Vikings with 37 tackles and 5 sacks.

Washington Redskins

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On May 27, 2008, the Vikings agreed to trade James to the Washington Redskins for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2009 NFL draft. He appeared in five games for the Redskins in 2008 but did not record any statistics and was eventually waived on December 9, 2008.

NFL statistics

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Year Team GP COMB TOTAL AST SACK FF FR FR YDS INT IR YDS AVG IR LNG TD PD
2005 MIN 15 28 23 5 4.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
2006 MIN 2 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007 MIN 6 7 5 2 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008 WAS 5 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 28 37 30 7 5.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Personal life

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James currently[when?] resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. James was arrested and Charged with felony battery after a bar fight in Madison WI in November 2009. He entered a program for first time offenders but did not complete the requirements of the program. https://www.twincities.com/2012/03/14/ex-viking-erasmus-james-a-felon-after-skipping-anger-management-classes/

References

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  1. ^ "Erasmus James Signs With New Mexico Stars". www.goifl.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  2. ^ "Erasmus James, DS #4 DE, Wisconsin". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  3. ^ Erasmus James USA Today. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
  4. ^ pass-rusher saluted, scolded for his play
  5. ^ "2005 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.