“There wasn’t a better place to go as a tight end in this year’s draft,” James said. “To be able to come in and play under great tight ends here, it’s a great situation for me to be able to learn from them and hopefully take what I learn and display it on the field.”
James did just that in three years with the Nittany Lions. He started 31 games, including every one in the past two seasons. The 6-foot-7, 261-pounder caught 78 passes for 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns, most by a tight end in school history and was an All-Big Ten selection in 2014 as a junior.
James took a slight gamble when he left Penn State a year early, but it’s paying off.
“I couldn’t be happier,” James said. “When I made my decision, I knew that I was able to contribute at the next level. That’s something I’m trying to prove here every day.”
He’ll have to continue to do it at the professional level.
The Steelers’ liked James’ frame and hope to use his natural strength as a blocking tight end. His size won’t hurt in the red zone either, another big target for Ben Roethlisberger.
“I feel I’m a balanced player and I can do whatever the team asks me to do,” James said. “You have to prove yourself in all phases of the game. It’s a new level, so I have to compete up to the level and make sure I’m doing my best every time.”
And he’ll have one of the best in the NFL as a tutor. There are worse ways to start a career. Way worse.
“I feel better every day, I’m learning each day in the meeting rooms and on the field and the veterans couldn’t be more helpful,” James said. “It’s going to carry into (training) camp and hopefully helps out a lot. I’m excited for it.”
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL
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