James played his first two seasons at the
University of Minnesota, serving as a reserve corner and the team's primary punt returner until breaking his leg during his sophomore season. James transferred to
Southern Illinois for his final two seasons.[2] As a junior, James recorded 30 tackles and led the Salukis with three interceptions and nine passes broken up and was named to the
Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer team.[3]
James was signed by the
Minnesota Vikings as an
undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018.[5] He was cut by the Vikings at the end of the preseason.[6] James was re-signed to the Vikings'
practice squad on October 16, 2018.[7] James was promoted to the Vikings' active roster on November 27, 2018.[8] James made his NFL debut on December 2, 2018 against the
New England Patriots.[9] James played three games during his rookie season, appearing exclusively on special teams.[10]
James was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.[11]
Philadelphia Eagles
James was signed to the
Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on September 2, 2019.[12] He was promoted to the team's active roster on September 11, 2019.[13] He was waived on September 17, and re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day.[14][15] He was promoted to the active roster again on September 24 after an injury to
Ronald Darby.[16] In the following game against the
Green Bay Packers and in the third defensive snap of his career, James deflected a pass at the Eagles three-yard line that was then intercepted by linebacker
Nigel Bradham with 28 seconds left to preserve a 34-27 Eagles win.[17] James made his first career start the next week on October 6, 2019 against the
New York Jets, making three tackles.[18]
On September 4, 2020, James signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles through the 2021 season.[19] He was placed on
injured reserve on September 15, 2020.[20] He was designated to return from injured reserve on October 7, and began practicing with the team again.[21] He was activated on October 10.[22] He was placed back on injured reserve on November 16 with a shoulder injury.[23]
On August 31, 2021, James was waived by the Eagles and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[24][25] He was placed on the COVID list on January 1, 2022 and activated three days later, missing just one game.[26][27] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on January 18, 2022.[28] He was released July 18, 2022.[29]
New York Jets
On July 21, 2022, James signed with the
New York Jets, but was released five days later.[30][31] He was signed to the practice squad on September 1, 2022.[32] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023.[33]
On August 29, 2023, James was released by the Jets and re-signed to the practice squad.[34][35] He was released on September 26.[36] He was re-signed on October 3, and released again on November 15.[37][38] He was re-signed on November 21 and released again on November 28.[39][40] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 30, 2024.[41]
Detroit Lions
On December 21, 2023, James was signed to the
Detroit Lions practice squad.[42]