Former Maine Defensive Back Kendall James Drafted By Minnesota In Sixth Round
Tim McDonnell
CAA Football Draft History
New York, N.Y. (May 10, 2014) – One day after CAA Football had its first player selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, former Maine defensive back Kendall James became the second league player to be chosen after the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the sixth round with pick No. 184.
Maine, which won its first ever CAA Football title in 2013, has had had a knack for producing NFL caliber athletes in recent years. James is the 15th Black Bear selected and the 51st to join a NFL team overall. Jerron McMillian, who was chosen by the Green Bay Packers with the 133rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2012 Draft, is the school’s last and highest ever selection.
On Friday evening, former Towson running back Terrance West became the first CAA Football player taken in this year’s draft. West was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 94th overall pick after the team traded up with the San Francisco 49ers to make the pick.
As a senior in 2013, James was named an Associated Press FCS All-American second team selection and was also tabbed a first team All-CAA honoree. The Roselle, New Jersey, native headlined a Maine secondary that allowed a league-low 165.4 passing yards per game last fall.
James finished his final season in Orono with 36 tackles (2.5 for loss) to go along with two interceptions; nine pass breakups and blocked a field goal. James finished his Black Bear career with 147 tackles, eight interceptions and 25 pass breakups over 48 games.
CAA Football’s presence in the NFL Draft has been evident, as the league had four players drafted in 2013 and now 28 student-athletes selected in total since 2006. Former University of Delaware great Joe Flacco is still the highest conference player ever taken in the draft after the Baltimore Ravens chose him with the 18th pick in 2008.