2014 ILL RB Recruit Chris James Tells Spartan Nation that Michigan State is, "In the Lead,” with His Recruitment!

2014 ILL RB Chris James Tells Spartan Nation that Michigan State is, “In the Lead,” with His Recruitment! Q: It’s Chris James from Niles, IL. How are

2014 ILL RB Chris James Tells Spartan Nation that Michigan State is, “In the Lead,” with His Recruitment!

Q: It’s Chris James from Niles, IL. How are you, buddy?

A: I’m doing alright. Thanks for having me.

Q: What makes Chris James tick?

A: I don’t really get too upset about many things. Obviously the rankings and stuff like that… I try not to put attention to it. But seeing some of the kids that are bigger and better than me, that kind of gets me ticked a little bit. Just kinda adds some more fuel to the fire.

Q: When I talk to people about you they talk a lot about your competitiveness.

A: It’s just something I guess I was just born with. I feel that the really great backs are the ones who stand out. Every time I get the chance to compete I’m out there screaming, trying to get everybody pumped up, to continue at the same level. Get everybody else be ready for games and stuff.

Q: I was told that you can get mad and competitive over a game of dominoes with a little kid. Is that true?

A: Yeah, some of my friends tell me sometimes I’m a little too competitive. I think that’s kinda why I’m maybe starting to stand out as far as the athletic standpoint.

Q: I’ve heard your name associated with Darren Sproles. When I watch you play you remind me a lot of Edwin Baker who now plays for the Chargers. If you had to pick an NFL back that maybe your style resembles, who would you say?

A: Probably Javon Ringer or, like you said, Edwin Baker. Those guys kind of remind me… I have kind of like similar characteristics as them.

Q: If you associate yourself with Javon Ringer on the Spartan Nation, you’ll get people fired up.

A: Yeah.

Q: I was told to specifically ask you this: What does being a man mean to Chris James?

A: Just being successful, able to take responsibility, taking care of what you have to, being there for my mom, stepping up to the plate and being a man.

Q: Can you give us your impressions about Michigan State, please?

A: I love it. Great place to be, obviously a great history of running backs, just from the coaching staff, Coach Dantonio, they have that belief that if you have a great back it means a lot. Obviously they produce great backs. The campus looks tremendous. I got the chance to sit down with some of the coaching staff. Coach Dantonio is just a great coach. He’s a really blunt guy. He’s just tremendous. The campus, Skandalaris Center and whatnot, is just unbelievable.

Q: I’m told that whatever school lands you will have approached you as a student. If they only approach you as a football player they will not make your list. Is that true?

A: What I look for in a coaching staff and whatnot… Obviously they know you as a player. They’ve all seen my film. Certain coaches when they come at you and they’re worried about you more as a person in general…they’re not really worried about you on the field because everybody knows that. They worry about you as a man and how they’re gonna produce you as a man. If coaches do that, that’s kinda what stands out.

Q: Who’s been your primary recruiter?

A: At Michigan State? Probably Coach Narduzzi, Coach Warner and Coach Salem.

Q: So what do you think? That tells you something that they’ve got the three big guns going after you. You’re pretty important to those guys.

A: Yes sir.

Q: Does Michigan State have a legitimate chance of the possibility when you make the decision as being the team you go to?

A: Yes sir. Right now they’re in the lead. I’m not gonna try to hide that. Right now they are in the lead. Right now I’m just enjoying the process a little bit get the chance to be with my family and what not. But as of now, Michigan State’s in the lead.

Q: Do you have an idea in your head when you wanna make your decision or are you just gonna wake up one day eating your Wheaties and you decide? Or do you just have no clue when you wanna decide?

A: I definitely wanna commit before the season. I kinda wanna go into my team this year and not have to interrupt practice, running around. I really wanna actually establish myself as a leader this year and get my team to state. So definitely before the season. I’m definitely gonna do it on campus with my family.

Q: I was told that if you had the opportunity you would love to go on The Voice or you’d love to go on American Idol. You think you can sing, but your teammates don’t think you can. But is it true, you think you’re a singer?

A: I think I’m probably best as a shower singer. I’m not really on the stage but a shower singer I definitely am.

Q: You have to admit, I did my research to find that out about you.

A: Yeah, you absolutely did some research. I don’t tell too many people that.

Q: I am told that you are a good dancer. Are you gonna be on Dancing with the Stars when you’re done in the NFL?

A: For sure. Gotta admit I love dancing. Dance around in the weight room and all that. That’s fun.

Q; I told you this interview would be about alot more than football.

A: Yes sir, it is.

Q: You have tremendous balance. Are you from a family of athletes? Are Mom and Dad athletes?

A: I’ve been working my tail off on that almost every single day. Obviously I’m trying to establish myself on the field, continuing to develop on the offense. My father, I’m not sure if I got any balance from him. My mom was a model so I’m not sure if I got any balance from her. Everything else if I had to put something to it.

Q: Last question, what does football mean to you? You remind me of a guy who has not only been blessed by God with great talent, but you love the game.

A: It means everything. It is my life. I’m not gonna lie, it is my life. Every down I get, every play I get I try and leave it all out there. You have to live every day like it’s your last. Just go out there and go all out.