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Florida linebacker Shemar James declares for 2025 NFL Draft

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•12/26/24•

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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)

Florida linebacker Shemar James has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced via Instagram on Thursday. James was a three-year player and spent his entire career with the Gators.

“First I would love to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” James said in a statement. “Without you I am nothing!

“Thank you Gator Nation!!

“I would like to thank Coach Napier, Coach Bateman, Coach Armstrong, Coach Roberts, Coach Gibbs, and the entire coaching and support staff at the University of Florida. Thank you for allowing me to become a better football player, student, and person.

“I would like to thank all of my brothers that I got the privilege to play with these past three years. Without y’all, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Thank you for believing in me and making Gainesville such an amazing place.

“I’m proud to say that I wore that orange and blue with pride every single Saturday. Thank you Gator Nation for welcoming a kid from Mobile, Alabama into the swamp.

“With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft!! Go Gators.”

James played a critical role in Billy Napier‘s defense this season, being a starter in all 12 games. The linebacker finished with 64 tackles, four tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

“We’ve kind of seen it in ourselves first, knowing that we can compete with some of the best in the country,” James said on playing for Napier. “We love Coach Napier. We love the job that he’s doing here, and we ultimately believe in him. I’d be lying if I said we weren’t seeing the tweets and the blogs and all the rumors. I would say, just wanting Coach [Napier] to be here and just playing hard for a coach that you can stand behind. I would say that’s why we play so hard and just wanting to keep Coach Napier.”

James played high school football at Mobile (AL) Faith Academy, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 57 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Now, an opportunity to move onto the NFL has come, and James is ready to take it on.