2019 undrafted free agent, Andre James debuted on The Rush Podcast with Maxx Crosby speaking about his career with the Raiders. A largely spoken upon topic in this video was the fact that James had never played center before joining the NFL.
Andre James Comeback Story
His football career started in Utah where in high school he would be ranked as a four-star recruit because of his potential. Potential for him was imminent, and UCLA believed in him signing the lineman in 2015. UCLA is also the alma mater of current Raiders tackle, Kolton Miller.
Playing time was common for James early in college and that is shown through him having no snaps played his freshman season. It would be 2016 where James would have his debut after Miller would suffer an injury. When Miller returned from injury, James and he would coexist at both tackle positions foreshadowing what would come.
“Fast forward me and him end up in the same place,” James said. “It is crazy how all of that came together.”
All of the snaps he played in college were either played at right or left tackle while being a part of the third ranked offense in 2017. Although having success in college, James would not be drafted in 2019 by any NFL team.
To begin his NFL career, he would be coached by Tom Cable with the Oakland Raiders. What he did not expect was to transition and be playing center.
“I remember snapping the ball and it going over the head,” James said. “I just knew that I would end up being cut.”
James had doubts but was never cut and would end up earning two contract extensions. His current contract is listed at three years, $24 million with the Raiders.
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