2017 Football Roster
Jersey Number 12
Chris James
- Ht./Wt.:
- 5-11 / 195
- Position:
- DB
- Hometown:
- Orange, Texas
- High School:
- West Orange-Stark
Career Highs
Tackles: 6, twice (last vs. Western Michigan, 9/17/16)
Solos: 4 vs. North Carolina, 9/10/16
TFLs: 1.0 at Nebraska, 10/1/16
PBUs: 2 vs. Murray State, 9/3/16
Sacks: 0.5 vs. Western Michigan, 9/17/16
2017 Junior
- Academic All-Big Ten
- Played in nine games with two starts at nickel
- 14 tackles (10 solo), 0.5 TFL
- Transferred following the season
2016 Sophomore
- Played in all 12 games with four starts at defensive back
- Started four of the first five games
- 23 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, three PBUs on the season
- Career-high six tackles against North Carolina and Western Michigan
- 1.0 TFL at Nebraska
- First career 0.5 sack against Western Michigan
- Career-high two PBUs in the opener against Murray State
- Academic All-Big Ten
2015 Redshirt Freshman
- Played in 10 games on the season, mostly on special teams
- Made six tackles (five solo) on season
- Made two tackles vs. Wisconsin
2014 Freshman
- Redshirted the 2014 season
High School
- Beaumont Enterprise 2013 Super Gold First Team, calling him "One of the best man cover corners in southeast Texas."
- First-team All-District 21 3A honoree in 2013 after leading team to 11-2 record
- Had 58 tackles, three interceptions, one sack and returned one fumble for a touchdown on defense, while rushing for 685 yards and eight touchdowns on 108 carries (6.3 ypc) and catching 17 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns in 2013
- Played in only two games in 2012 due to injury
- Played at Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas, in 2011
- Three-year football letterwinner and four-year track & field letterwinner
- State qualifier in 4x100m relay and 4x200m relay in 2012
Personal
- Full name is Christopher Q. James, Jr.
- Born Oct. 13, 1995
- Son of Chris and Felicia James
- Has two brothers and five sisters
- Honor roll student
- Lists Deion Sanders as his favorite athlete because he's "a beast at corner"
- Enrolled in general studies
Illinois Football | Bret Bielema Press Conference 3/5/26
Thursday, March 05
Illinois Football | Bobby Hauck Introductory Press Conference 2/12/26
Thursday, February 12
Illinois Football | Bret Bielema Press Conference 2/4/26
Thursday, February 05
Illinois Football | Xavier Scott Return Announcement Press Conference Press Conference 1/21/26
Wednesday, January 21
