Derwin James Bio
Derwin Alonzo James Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 3, 1996, in Haines City, Florida, he played college football for the Florida State Seminoles. James was selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has been recognized for his exceptional play, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors.
Early Life and Background
Derwin James was raised in Haines City, Florida, where he attended Haines City High School. He initially attended Auburndale High School before transferring back to his hometown school. James was highly regarded as a five-star recruit and was ranked as the best safety and fifth-best player overall in his class by Rivals.com. His impressive high school performance led to a scholarship offer from Florida State University, where he committed to play college football.
Path to American Football
James began his college career at Florida State in 2015 as a backup but quickly became a starter. During his freshman season, he played in 12 games, recording 91 tackles and 4.5 sacks. His sophomore year was cut short due to a knee injury, but he returned as a redshirt sophomore in 2017, finishing with 84 tackles and two interceptions. After his standout performance, he decided to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
Derwin James Career
Early Career (2018)
The Los Angeles Chargers selected Derwin James in the first round (17th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He signed a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $12.38 million, including a signing bonus of $7.09 million. James made an immediate impact in his rookie season, starting all 16 games and recording 105 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions. His performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors.
Breakthrough (2019-2021)
In 2019, James faced challenges due to a stress fracture in his foot, limiting him to just five games. Despite this setback, he returned to form in the 2021 season, finishing with 118 combined tackles and earning his second Pro Bowl selection. His ability to perform at a high level was recognized by his peers, ranking him 43rd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.
Notable Works and Milestones
Derwin James has established himself as one of the premier safeties in the NFL, earning multiple accolades, including five Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors. His signature performance came during his rookie season, where he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Derwin James Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Derwin James has received numerous nominations for his outstanding performances on the field, including multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors.
Derwin James Awards Won
Derwin James has won several prestigious awards, including:
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| First-team All-Pro | 2 | 2018, 2021 |
| Second-team All-Pro | 2 | 2022, 2024 |
| Pro Bowl | 5 | 2018, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 |
| PFWA All-Rookie Team | 1 | 2018 |
| First-team All-American | 1 | 2017 |
| First-team All-ACC | 2 | 2016, 2017 |
Derwin James Family
Derwin James is related to several notable athletes, including Vince Williams and Karlos Williams, both former Florida State Seminoles players. He is also the second cousin of Edgerrin James, a former Miami Hurricanes and NFL star running back.
Personal Life
Derwin James is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing on his career and family connections within the sports community.
