Junior safety Derwin James declares for NFL, will skip bowl
Junior safety Derwin James played his final game as a Florida State Seminole last Saturday against ULM.
James, who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, announced his decision to leave the Seminoles with a lengthy post on Instagram. He also confirmed that he will not play in FSU's Independence Bowl game against Southern Miss on Dec. 27.
The Haines City, Fla., product finished his junior season ranked second on the team with 84 tackles -- just one behind team leader Matthew Thomas. He also led FSU's defense with 11 pass breakups and tied for the lead with two interceptions.
While saying that committing to FSU as a ninth-grader was the "best decision he ever made," James also went on to say that his three years in Tallahassee were the "best years of my life."
"I arrived as a boy," he wrote, "but I leave as a man."
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James singled out former head coach Jimbo Fisher, defensive coordinator Charles Kelly, defensive line coach Odell Haggins and strength coach Vic Viloria for teaching him football and life lessons. He also delivered a tribute to the fan base.
"To all the fans, thank you for your relentless support," he wrote. "Seminole fans are unrivaled when it comes to the sheer commitment you have to our program."
He also thanked his teammates and his family.
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