Class of 2020 College Highlight: Edgerrin James
By Evan Chronis | April 13, 2020 | Pro Football Hall of Fame
The five members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020 have been announced!
Before we honor these legendary players for their contributions on the professional football field, we're looking back to their collegiate careers where many of them gained national attention for the first time.
Next up is Indianapolis Colts star Edgerrin James, who gained national attention after three successful seasons as a part of the Miami Hurricanes backfield from 1996-98.
Edgerrin James’ Career at Miami
A native of Immokalee, Florida, James’ stayed close to home when choosing where to play college ball, opting to join one of the most prestigious programs in the country.
James joined Miami prior to the 1996 season and instantly became a prominent piece in the Hurricanes offense, rushing for 446 yards and two touchdowns on 71 carries in seven games. James helped make up a loaded backfield during his first year, but ran well enough to become the obvious future of the Miami rushing attack.
After going 9-3 in James’ first year, Miami regressed to a disappointing 5- 6 in his sophomore season, but James was featured as the side's main tailback.
He rushed for a team-best 1,098 yards and 13 touchdowns on 184 carries in his second season, a tally that highlighted him as one of the best young backs in the country. His rushing yards and touchdowns total both ranked second in the Big East for the 1997 season.
James’ junior season saw another natural progression as he exploded for a Big East-best 1,416 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 242 carries. He also became a big player in the Canes passing game, catching 17 balls for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns. For his successes, James was named First-Team All-Big East for the 1998 season.
His production helped Miami return to its winning ways, as the Hurricanes went 9-3 and finished the season ranked 20th in the AP Poll.
1999 NFL Draft
James forewent his senior season at Miami and declared for the 1999 NFL Draft, where he was hailed alongside Texas’ Ricky Williams as one of the top running backs in the class.
While Williams was predicted to be the first running back off the board, the Indianapolis Colts drafted James with the No.4 overall pick, one pick before Williams was taken by the New Orleans Saints.
James spent the first seven seasons of his Hall of Fame career playing for the Colts.
Edgerrin James’ College Accolades
- Third all-time rushing yards in Miami history — 2,960
- Second most rushing touchdowns in Miami history — 32
- Most 100-plus rushing yards game in Miami history — 14
- 1998 First-Team All-Big East
Miami Hurricanes in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jim Otto — Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1980
Ted Hendricks — Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1990
Jim Kelly — Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2002
Michael Irvin — Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2007
Cortez Kennedy — Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012
Warren Sapp — Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013
Ray Lewis — Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018
Ed Reed — Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019
Edgerrin James — Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020
Witness Edgerrin James’ Enshrinement into the Hall of Fame
Witness history as Miami Hurricanes and Indianapolis Colts legend Edgerrin James enters the Hall of Fame at 2020 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls.
Attend 2020 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls with an Official Ticket Package from HOF Experiences. Click below to see everything that’s included with an Official Ticket Package.
