C.J. James, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound defensive end/linebacker from Colonial High School in Orlando, Fla., just received his second scholarship offer from Colorado State when Ram offensive line coach Pat Meyer came by his school.
"It was kind of out of the blue," James said. "It was unexpected. They're in my top five now. Any school that offers me is in my top five. I'd say they are number two now, behind Oregon. My other favorites are South Florida, North Carolina and Auburn.
"Colorado State needs defensive ends who can run and I can do that," he said. "All of my top five schools want me for defensive end. Right now, I'm playing at 225 pounds. I'm trying to get to 235 or 240 pounds.
"I'm looking forward to going to Oregon for my official visit on Sept. 19," James said. "I'm still waiting for my plane ticket. I really like the program in general at Oregon. They've done real good the past few years. Coach Michael Gray (defensive line) and I talk a lot. He called me the first day he could in September. I might commit there when I go on my trip.
"The important thing to me is being comfortable and having a good shot at playing early," James emphasized. "I wouldn't mind getting away from Florida. I'm not sure why I haven't been offered by some of the Florida programs. Maybe it's because I didn't play as much my junior year because we had so many seniors. I only went to the Miami camp. They aren't recruiting me hard.
"From the schools that haven't offered me yet, South Florida is recruiting me the hardest," he said. "Tulane is supposed to be coming by my school in October. I'm still looking at my options. We'll see how it goes."
James reports a 2.9 core GPA and a 17 ACT, which he plans to retake. "My mom is a teacher and she has set a standard for me to achieve. I'm already qualified but I'll still retake my test to do better."