MORGANTOWN — Former WVU wide receiver Sam James has signed with the Los Angeles Rams after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft over the weekend.
James played five seasons for WVU, from 2018-22. He leaves the program fifth all-time in receptions (190), eighth in receiving yards (2,231) and 15th in receiving touchdowns (15). He is also fourth in single-game receiving yards (223) and tied for second in single-game receptions (14), both accomplished during a game against Texas Tech on Nov. 9, 2019.
Not invited to last month’s NFL Scouting Combine, James still got his time in front of NFL scouts at WVU’s pro day.
“I was mad that I didn’t get invited (to the combine),” James said. “I prayed to God, found my peace and knew that I was going to have the opportunity so I just went with it, stayed down and worked.
“I felt kind of disrespected because I didn’t get invited to the combine and I felt like I should have,” he continued. ”But I knew I was going to have another opportunity at this pro day to stand in front of all the same scouts people stood in front of at the combine. It was very important for me to do good and I feel that I did.”
WVU head coach Neal Brown said the biggest concern with James had been his weight. He was listed at 176 points while playing at WVU but weighed 185 on his pro day.
In addition to his receiving production, Brown said James also stands out as an elite special teams player.
“He’s productive on film and he’s got an elite trait — and it shows on tape — that he can cover punts,” Brown said. “He’s done that as well as anyone in the country in the last three years.”
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