Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/368554
the word got out, as it surely would, when
James hit the summer camp circuit. As
he told the York Daily Record, "I just
hoped no one else ;gured out how good
this kid was going to be."
James committed to Penn State in March
2011. He went on to win second-team All-
State recognition and a spot on the Pitts-
burgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 team fol-
lowing his senior season, but by that time,
Bradley and most of his Penn State col-
leagues had been swept up in the wave of
collateral damage that followed the San-
dusky scandal. Even so, James followed
through on his commitment, becoming
the only member of his class to enroll early.
Just prior to joining the Nittany Lions,
he took part in the Semper Fidelis All-
American Bowl along with future team-
mate Brian Gaia. "I remember the ;rst
time I saw him," Gaia said. "I was like,
'I'm just glad this guy is on my team.' "
James worked out with the team in the
spring and went on to enjoy a strong debut
season, starting six games and ;nishing
with 15 catches for 276 yards and ;ve
touchdowns in O'Brien's tight-end-
friendly o=ense. Last season, he started
all 12 games and ;nished the season on a
high note, scoring a touchdown on a ca-
reer-long 46-yard catch on Senior Day
against Nebraska and making three catches
for 24 yards and a TD
in the season ;nale at
Wisconsin.
In the spring, Dono-
van worked with James
to improve his blocking,
helping him to become
an even more versatile
threat for the Nittany
Lions. The goal this summer has been to
keep the momentum going. Said Donovan,
"If he can continue to improve from where
he was in the spring, I'm expecting him
to have a dominant year. He needs to think
that way, too."
If James does think that way, he's unlikely
to say so publicly. While he routinely in-
spires