The Haines City native earns second-team defensive back honors
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Redshirt sophomore defensive back Derwin James was named a second-team Walter Camp All-American, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced Thursday evening during the ESPN College Football Awards Show.
James, from Haines City, Fla., is second among Seminole defenders with 84 tackles, adding 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions (one returned 41 yards for a touchdown), a team-high 11 pass breakups and a blocked field goal against Syracuse.
James entered 2017 among the nation’s top players, despite playing just two games in 2016 before a season-ending knee injury. Earlier this month, James was named a first-team All-ACC selection by the ACC, the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus. He was also a Bednarik Award and Thorpe Award semifinalist and a Lott IMPACT Trophy quarterfinalist.
James’ two interceptions tied for the team high in 2017. In FSU’s 27-24 win against Syracuse on Nov. 4, James recorded an interception on Syracuse’s opening drive and ended the game with a blocked field goal that would have tied the game. Against Delaware State, James scored his first touchdown on a 41-yard interception return, one of five non-offensive touchdowns for FSU in 2017, second-most in the country.
James set a season high with 13 tackles at Boston College, one shy of his career-high 14 against Houston in the 2015 Peach Bowl. On special teams, James averaged 28.3 yards per kickoff return, with a career-high 49-yarder coming against NC State on Sept. 23.
James announced earlier this week that he would forego his final two seasons of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft.
This season is the 128th edition of the Walter Camp All-America team, the nation’s oldest. The Atlantic Coast Conference leads the country with 11 selections. The 2017 Walter Camp All-America team will be recognized at the national awards banquet Jan. 11-13 in New Haven, Conn.
In addition to the 52 players named to the first and second teams, former Seminole player Lee Corso will be recognized by the Foundation as the Distinguished American for his work in various facets of the game throughout his storied career.