Brandon James - Break On Through
Sunday, September 20, 2009 | Football
By Joshua Lentine, UF Communications
Four years ago, a confident freshman extended his arms and defiantly performed the Gator Chomp in the faces of 107,000 fans singing Rocky Top at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“I look at this nut … the kid is this big [puts his hand at about 5'7”]. That kid was not intimidated so I grabbed him and told him he would be the punt returner,” said fifth-year Head Coach Urban Meyer.
One gesture was all it took to set Brandon James on a path to leave his mark in Florida's record book.
“Coming into college, we had a lot of athletes and my first opportunity to play was on special teams,” he recalls, “so I used that to my advantage and tried to make big plays to help my team.”
And make big plays he did. James holds Gator records for most kickoff returns in a career (86) and in a season (32), most kickoff return yardage in a career (2,101) and a season (841), most punt returns in a career (91), most punt return yardage in a career (1,145), in a season (510), and in a game (155), and is tied for the most punt returns for touchdowns in a career (4) and in a season (2) and kickoff returns for touchdowns in a season (1). Not bad for someone barely recruited to play at Florida.
From an early age, James always knew he had to prove himself.
“I know I have a lot of doubters. I've always had to go against the odds from being the smallest kid in Little League all the way through college. It's a chip I was born with, being a smaller guy. When people told me that I couldn't play Division I football, my mom and my cousin would always tell me, 'We see something special in you and know you can do it.' I keep that chip with me and use those things as motivation every time I practice, go through workouts or am just trying to be better.”
In spite of all the doubters and negative talk, the St. Augustine native never questioned himself.
“No matter what anyone says, never doubt yourself and always have confidence in yourself,” he says. “Once that's gone you don't have anything. That's what I do. No matter what people say, however much they doubt me, I'll always think I'm the best and never lose confidence in myself. I love to play football and try my absolute best every time I go out on the field.”
Since becoming a Gator, there's no debating James has given his best to become a vital part of Florida's successful program. Throughout his career, his effort has averaged more than 15 yards every time the ball is put in his hands… about four more yards than former teammate Percy Harvin. The man whose position he is expected to fill this season.
One of Sporting News' most indispensible players of 2008 eagerly anticipated this moment and enhance role, and has come to embrace the high expectations placed upon him.
“I'm really excited to be featured more prominently on offense this year. It's something I've always wanted,” he stated. “If you're a competitor you want to be on the field a lot more. I feel like I can make many more big plays with an increase in opportunities.”
Florida wide receivers' coach Billy Gonzales had this to say about the transition of roles for James.
"Playing receiver is something Brandon knows. He did it all last year and has a great feel for the game of football. He's such a dangerous returner, and some of those plays are kind of the same thing. You get him the ball in space and he's great one-on-one with a guy.”
Evidence of James' prodigious talent is that he led the 2008 BCS National Championship team with over 1,400 all-purpose yards; despite having fewer touches than some of his fellow teammates who were not usually limited to return teams.
“I want to put up bigger numbers this year,” he claims.
The 2008 All-American already made good on his promise to return a kickoff for his first career touchdown with an electrifying 85-yard jaunt in the season opener against Charleston Southern. This feat did not surprise Florida head coach Urban Meyer.
"He's a dynamic runner. We've always felt that way,” the two-time national championship coach said.
Coach Meyer has been blessed with a multitude of superstars to undertake the campaign for back-to-back national championships and possibility for a third crown in four years.
James fondly remembers, “The members of the '06 class got together after the championship this past year and said, 'We did it!' The first year, we were young guys and didn't have very big roles. Brandon Spikes, Tim Tebow, Riley Cooper, Harvin, and all of us were really excited to have won the national championship as major contributors on the team.”
With the 2009 season underway, this is the last go-round for many dynamic athletes from the stellar '06 recruiting class. This season provides the Gators with a chance to go down in history as one of, if not the best college football team ever.
While some players may try to steer clear from the limelight, James and his competitive spirit are relishing it.
“Coming into this year being No.1 is something that I always dreamed of. Ever since high school, I always wanted to win a championship and come back to win it again. I'm really excited to have the opportunity to do that; especially playing an even bigger role on the team this year.”
As you know by now, this year's contest with Tennessee is being held in The Swamp. With one of the Florida Gators' oldest rivals coming to Florida Field, there will be no shortage of Gator Chomps.
“Every SEC game is big,” James acknowledged. “With Tennessee, the whole team gets pumped up for the first conference game. It's a big rivalry.”
Today, James will lead the Florida Gators into SEC play for the final time of his collegiate career. The speedster has enjoyed some of his best performances when opening league action. In 2007, in front of a supportive crowd which was clad primarily in blue, the Gator defense forced a three-and-out on the first drive of the game. James then launched the 59-20 win over Tennessee with an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown barely two minutes into the game. During his career, the triple threat has carried the ball for over 420-yards and scored twice on punt returns against the Volunteers. There is no better place to showcase talent than in the Southeastern Conference.
The 2009 campaign could be a breakout season for Brandon James. The quiet, confident freshman who literally 'chomped' his way onto the field has already re-written the Florida record book. As he expands his role from strictly a return specialist to include taking handoffs and catching passes, James will continue to silence the doubters he has faced his entire life. His speed, quickness and knack for returning kicks into the end zone have produced some of the loudest celebrations in The Swamp. Gator fans should keep their eyes on Brandon James… .if they blink they might miss something big.
“When I step onto the field, I want fans to stand up and hold their breath because they never know what's going to happen next.”
-UF-
