#5 Damien James Season 2001
CAREER
Two-year starter at free safety for the Tigers … Played in 38 games with 17 starts … Dismissed from team seven games into the 2002 season … Finished career with nine interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
SENIOR SEASON (2002)
Played in seven games with six starts … Missed all week of practice prior to Auburn game and was then dismissed from team … Had 31 tackles and two interceptions, one of which he returned 32 yards for a TD against The Citadel.
JUNIOR SEASON (2001)
The playmaker in LSU’s defensive backfield … Led the SEC with five interceptions for 80 yards … Had 49 tackles, four for losses and one sack during the regular season … Forced one fumble and had three PBU’s … Registered four tackles and one pass deflection vs. Illinois in the Sugar Bowl … Had three tackles and returned a fumble 10 yards vs. Tennessee in championship game … Versatile player who has rotated between safety and cornerback spots … Started final seven games of the season at left cornerback … Started vs. Florida and Kentucky as a nickel back … Had pair of interceptions in win over Kentucky and added one each vs. Florida and Miss. State.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2000)
Had an outstanding sophomore season as he developed into a key member in the Tiger secondary … LSU’s starting nickel back … Played in all 12 games with starts against Houston and Kentucky … Finished the year with 47 tackles (28 solo) and two interceptions … Also had four PBUs, forced one fumble and had one tackle for a loss … Had outstanding game vs. Houston as he picked off two passes in the final minutes of the game, the second of which he ran back 56 yards for the game-clinching touchdown in the Tigers 28-13 victory … For his efforts he was named LSU’s Defensive Player of the Week following the Houston game … Posted a career-high 13 tackles in the Tigers’ victory over Kentucky … Opened the season with a seven-tackle performance against Western Carolina (five solos) and followed that with eight tackles against Houston.
REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SEASON (1999)
A key reserve in the secondary and on special teams … Gave the Tigers added depth at both safety positions …Played in eight games in 1999 for the Tigers … Made four tackles and one pass breakup on the year … Had a season-high in tackles against Arkansas with two … Did not play in three-game stretch vs. Auburn, Georgia and Florida due to injury … Redshirted as a true freshman in 1998.
HIGH SCHOOL
Member of The Advocate Super Dozen, PrepStar Dream Team, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, Dallas Morning News Top 100, Tiger Rag Dirty Dozen and Purple & Gold’s Great Eight … Rated the 13th best prospect in the nation by SuperPrep magazine and its No. 2 skilled athlete … As a senior he rushed 165 times for 1,612 yards and 17 TD’s; he passed for 618 yards and four TD’s… Class 5A All-State and 5A Offensive MVP … Led Carencro to the state semi-finals … As a junior he rushed for over 1,800 yards and passed for over 1,000 more, accounting for 32 total touchdowns … Coached in high school by Mac Barousse.
PERSONAL
Born March 5, 1979 … Mother is Gloria … Majoring in general studies.
Damien James’ Career Statistics – Defense
Year | Class | G-GS | UT | AT | TT | TBL | Sacks | Int. |
1999 | Fr. | 8-0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2000 | So. | 11-2 | 28 | 19 | 47 | 1-4 | 0 | 2-56 |
2001 | Jr. | 12-9 | 34 | 15 | 49 | 4-17 | 1-10 | 5-80 |
2002 | Sr. | 7-6 | 19 | 12 | 31 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2-32 |
TOTALS | 38-17 | 84 | 47 | 131 | 5-21 | 1-10 | 9-168 |