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Dallas Cowboys select Shemar James in fifth round of 2025 NFL Draft

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•04/26/25
Florida Gators linebacker Shemar James lines up against the Kentucky Wildcats
GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 10: Florida Gators linebacker Shemar James (6) during the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Florida Gators on September 10, 2022 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys have selected Florida linebacker Shemar James in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. They took him with the No. 152 overall pick.

James was a multi-year star for Florida. He played in 34 games across three seasons and had a considerable impact in the middle of the defense.

In his final season in 2024, Shemar James recorded a career-high 64 tackles, 4.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and four passes defended. He showed the ability to play in space or in a box.

Across his three seasons at Florida, James tallied 166 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 5.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and four passes defended. Better, he emerged as a real team leader for the Gators.

And despite coming in as a high-profile recruit, James lived up to the billing. He was one of the SEC’s best linebackers as a junior in 2024.

Prior to enrolling at Florida, Shemar James was a four-star prospect and the No. 57 overall recruit in the nation in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He also checked in as the No. 5 linebacker in the class and the No. 3 overall player from the state of Alabama, hailing from Mobile (AL) Faith Academy.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Shemar James

One of James’ best attributes is his mobility. He moves around extremely well for his size, which allows him to cover a lot of ground.

But he’s also got excellent instincts at the position. That didn’t always show up in terms of statistical production, but James was the heart and soul of the Florida defense.

That was something he surely got credit for in the draft process, even though scouts had some question marks. Wrote NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein in evaluating Shemar James as a prospect:

“James flashes speed but has never really developed the recognition and response talent to chalk up playmaking production. He has some twitch in his movement and does a nice job of working past blocks, but he might not be able to anticipate with enough consistency to play ahead of NFL blocking schemes. James is athletic in space and can play special teams, but he might never be more than an average backup.”