Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
James named Freshman All-American by USA Today
12/10/2015 12:31:00 PM | Football
Receiver enjoyed record-setting year
MURFREESBORO – Middle Tennessee receiver Richie James turned in the best single season ever by a Blue Raider pass catcher during a breakout freshman campaign in 2015 on his way to becoming on the second player in school history to produce a 1,000-yard season.
James' remarkable season has been recognized nationally as he was named Freshman All-America receiver by USA Today Thursday. James joins Alabama's Calvin Ridley and SMU's Courtland Sutton on the three receivers named to the Freshman All-America team.
James is the fourth Blue Raider to be named to a Freshman All-America team and the first to be so honored by USA Today. He joins Brandon Westbrook (2000), Dwight Dasher (2007) and Kevin Byard (2012) as Middle Tennessee freshman All-Americans.
"This is quite an honor and we are very proud for (James)," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Stockstill said. "To be singled out as one of the top players in America at your position is quite a compliment. (James) is humble and continues to work hard to be on top of his game. It is exciting to know he has three more seasons in a Blue Raider uniform."
A native of Sarasota, Fla., James (5-foot-9, 171 pounds) has 100 receptions for 1,220 yards and six touchdowns going into Middle Tennessee's game against Western Michigan in the Popeye's Bahamas Bowl. James had four games with double-figure receptions, and four with 100 or more yards for Middle Tennessee (7-5) in 2015.
James set the single-season record for receptions with 100, besting the previous mark of 76, set by Kerry Wright in 2004. He also tied the single-game receptions mark with 12 against Illinois. Going into the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, James has 1,220 yards and needs just 60 to break Kerry Wright's single-season mark of 1,280 set in 2003.
USA Today Offense
Freshman All-America Team
QB – Josh Rosen, UCLA
RB – Mike Warren, Iowa St.
RB – Saquon Barkley, Penn St.
WR – Calvin Ridley, Alabama
WR – Richie James, Middle Tennessee
WR – Courtland Sutton, SMU
OL – Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
OL – Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
OL – Will Noble, Houston
OL – Will Clapp, LSU
OL – Connor Williams, Texas
James' remarkable season has been recognized nationally as he was named Freshman All-America receiver by USA Today Thursday. James joins Alabama's Calvin Ridley and SMU's Courtland Sutton on the three receivers named to the Freshman All-America team.
James is the fourth Blue Raider to be named to a Freshman All-America team and the first to be so honored by USA Today. He joins Brandon Westbrook (2000), Dwight Dasher (2007) and Kevin Byard (2012) as Middle Tennessee freshman All-Americans.
"This is quite an honor and we are very proud for (James)," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Stockstill said. "To be singled out as one of the top players in America at your position is quite a compliment. (James) is humble and continues to work hard to be on top of his game. It is exciting to know he has three more seasons in a Blue Raider uniform."
A native of Sarasota, Fla., James (5-foot-9, 171 pounds) has 100 receptions for 1,220 yards and six touchdowns going into Middle Tennessee's game against Western Michigan in the Popeye's Bahamas Bowl. James had four games with double-figure receptions, and four with 100 or more yards for Middle Tennessee (7-5) in 2015.
James set the single-season record for receptions with 100, besting the previous mark of 76, set by Kerry Wright in 2004. He also tied the single-game receptions mark with 12 against Illinois. Going into the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, James has 1,220 yards and needs just 60 to break Kerry Wright's single-season mark of 1,280 set in 2003.
USA Today Offense
Freshman All-America Team
QB – Josh Rosen, UCLA
RB – Mike Warren, Iowa St.
RB – Saquon Barkley, Penn St.
WR – Calvin Ridley, Alabama
WR – Richie James, Middle Tennessee
WR – Courtland Sutton, SMU
OL – Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
OL – Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
OL – Will Noble, Houston
OL – Will Clapp, LSU
OL – Connor Williams, Texas
Players Mentioned
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