Former Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Ja’Wuan James might be one of the greatest Vols to ever play on the offensive line in Knoxville.
Now I know that’s quite a big claim for a player at a program as storied as Tennessee, but how many players started every game of their four-year career at the same position (49 starts at right tackle, a record for most starts by a UT offensive lineman at one position) and then went on to be a first round draft pick in the NFL?
I’m sure there’s someone out there that has the answer to that and I’m sure there are others, but the point remains the same — James had a tremendous career on Rocky Top.
And that success has translated to the next level.
The Miami Dolphins selected James in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and he went on to start all 16 games in his rookie season.
Not only did James start at right tackle (his position in college) for the Dolphins, he finished the season as Miami’s starting left tackle — the most important position on the offensive line.
I think that’s a pretty successful rookie campaign, one that has James feeling “comfortable” as he enters his second NFL season.
Here’s what the former Vol recently told MiamiDolphins.com:
"“I’m more comfortable, I know what’s coming now. This offseason, spring training went by fast, flew compared to last year. But just knowing what’s coming and knowing the playbook already and stuff like that, it helped me work on other things”"
James started the final seven games of the 2014 season at left tackle, but the plan is for him to move back to right tackle, his natural position, for the upcoming season.
The Dolphins plan to have left tackle Branden Albert back this season and have made Jason Fox the backup plan.
It’s not that James isn’t more than capable at left tackle, it’s that he has the potential to be an All-Pro caliber right tackle.
As good as James was in his rookie season, I’d look for a ton of improvement in his second season. He’s an incredibly hard worker and he has the potential to hold down the right tackle spot for a long, long time in South Beach.
Next: Charlie Daniels Is Ready For Tennessee's 2015 Campaign