Former Florida football linebacker Shemar James has officially made the leap to the NFL, selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (pick No. 152) of the 2025 NFL draft.
James, a three-year standout for the Gators, capped off a decorated college career by hearing his name called after a 2024 season that showcased his leadership and playmaking ability.
Advertisement
The Mobile, Alabama native was a team captain in Gainesville, and it showed in his production: 64 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery across 13 starts.
A former Freshman All-SEC honoree, James consistently rose to the occasion against elite competition. His performance against the LSU Tigers–racking up 11 tackles, two sacks and earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors–highlighted why NFL scouts pegged him as a top linebacker prospect.
James impressed throughout the pre-draft process, standing out at the NFL Combine and the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Known for his sideline-to-sideline speed, coverage skills and physicality at 6-foot-1-inch and 229 pounds, he fits the modern NFL linebacker mold perfectly.
Across his career with the Orange and Blue, James totaled 166 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and three forced turnovers, despite a season-ending injury midway through 2023 that only fueled his comeback story.
Advertisement
A former five-star recruit and one of the top linebackers nationally out of high school, James chose Florida over offers from the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs and Florida State Seminoles.
The Cowboys are getting a battle-tested leader who thrives on big stages–and who’s just getting started.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football linebacker Shemar James drafted by Dallas Cowboys
