'Trust': Shemar James Grips Foundational Role With Billy Napier's Gators

Linebacker Shemar James opens up about his freshman year at Florida, and how Billy Napier got him there in the first place.

Photo: Shemar James; Credit: Alex Shepherd

Shemar James saw the future.

Of his own volition, James' original, four-month commitment to Florida — on the dot — came to an end on Oct. 20, 2021. He had seen enough from the 4-3 (2-3 SEC) Gators at that point to understand that changes were not only coming to UF, but were also necessary for his own good.

Two and a half weeks later, head coach Dan Mullen fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. Two weeks after that, Mullen was let go by the university. 

And miraculously, despite mere weeks to repair the relationship between school and prospect, new head coach Billy Napier was able to get James back into the fold at Florida.

"I would just say the environment here," James told All Gators in an exclusive interview, offering what kept Florida in the mix after his recruitment reopened. "The players, you know, they welcomed me with open arms my first day on campus and every single time I came back."

The players made James feel at home, but it was Napier's honesty that stood out to the Mobile (Ala.) Faith Academy linebacker in the two and a half weeks their relationship blossomed between the head coach's hiring and the class of 2022's early signing period.

Former Florida linebackers coach Christian Robinson remained on staff to coach in the program's 2021 Gasparilla Bowl appearance, and helped Napier recruit a prospect he knew well while UF awaited the hiring of new linebackers coach Jay Bateman. James was privy to the plan, and his awareness created faith in Napier's vision.

"I would say, just putting my trust in somebody and just taking the risk, believing in myself," James explained his decision. "Going back to my mom and her just being comfortable with where I am. Honestly, that's what drew me back here."

While James signed with the Gators early, he did not join the team as a midyear enrollee and missed Napier's first spring training camp in Gainesville.

Yet, the No. 2 linebacker in his class, per Sports Illustrated, still managed to field a significant role as a freshman. A lack of proven depth at linebacker, particularly due to Ty'Ron Hopper's offseason transfer to Missouri last January, allowed James to surge up the depth chart and earn 36 snaps in his first career game, Week 1 against Utah. 

He took the field for 40 or more snaps in five of his next seven games, with a large role in the defense and on special teams. Despite his listing as a backup, James technically started several games next to veteran linebackers Ventrell Miller and Amari Burney in 3-4-based formations. 

"It was a very quick turnaround from high school to college," James admitted. Miller and Burney were pivotal figures in his rise.

"When I first got here, they just told me 'This is what we're doing, you've got to be ready to play the first game.' So they just brought me under their wing, you know, they've been here for a minute," James recalled. "They just brought me in like I was a little brother, you know, and just took care of me from the first game to the last one."

Their presence — Miller's command of the defense as a whole and Burney's productive breakthrough in a new role — motivated James and provided him comfort as he came into his own.

James appeared in every game as a freshman and made four starts, tallying 47 tackles with two for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five quarterback pressures along the way. A member of an inconsistent Florida defense that missed 10 tackles per game on average, Pro Football Focus credits James for only missing three during the campaign.

His efforts resulted in a spot on the SEC's All-Freshman team as voted on by the conference's coaches. 

"It meant a lot. You know, it was one accomplishment that I wanted to get out of the way," James said about the honor. "Now it's time to keep scrapping. Keep getting better every year."

Which accomplishments are next on James' list?

"I want a brick outside," James stated, referring to consensus All-American recognition at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. "I want to get my [sociology] degree here. And, you know, be a three-and-done guy."  

The chances to be named among college football's best, and eventually head to the professional level, will begin to present themselves to James and his underclass counterparts in 2023. Florida lost 22 scholarship players to the transfer portal and another 10 to the NFL Draft this offseason, opening ample first-team roles for Napier's additions to the roster to fill.

At James' position specifically, Miller and Burney are now gone, off to the league. So is Diwun Black, a two-year reserve who transferred to Temple in January.

However, the playing experience James added to his résumé in year one has alleviated the stress that comes with the typical expectations for a high-profile recruit stepping into a full-time role. Instead, he understands his part as a foundational member of the Napier era of Florida football. 

"[I'm] just getting better each and every year," James said. "I know there's big shoes to fill, but, I mean, there's not really much pressure. You know, just going out, executing, just doing your role and playing your role. Just being comfortable and having fun."

He believes his rising sophomore teammates who took the field significantly in 2022 — safety Kamari Wilson, defensive lineman Chris McClellan, cornerback Devin Moore and safety Miguel Mitchell each earned over 100 defensive snaps — maintain a similar mindset with increasing responsibilities.

"I have high hopes for those guys," James shared. "Those guys are some dudes. And I mean, I feel like this year they're gonna step up to the plate and replace the guys that left, and you know, make an impact immediately."

To varying extents, each of these players chose to play for Napier instead of being grandfathered into his vision. McClellan committed to the program two days after Mullen was fired, on Nov. 23, 2021, coincidentally the same day Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin reportedly met with Napier for the first time.

Each of these players, like James, has placed their confidence in the youthful SEC head coach to deliver on their football and personal development. The team's buy-in and progress, James says, has been apparent throughout Napier's second offseason workout program in charge.

"I'd say he's an easy guy to trust. He's a player's coach. He's there for his guys and you can tell." James described Napier. "I mean, you can watch Identity [Phase Two] from this year to last year, just the way we come to work, do the work and get it done. 

"You'll see this year how much trust we've put into him." 

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