In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, options were running out for Grayson James.
James dreamed of becoming an FBS quarterback. But chances of making that a reality dwindled as programs limited who they were offering scholarships to. He called his recruiting process coming out of Duncanville High in Texas one of the most difficult challenges of his life.
He also called it the most humbling. He was forced to refocus, forced to solidify his goals, and forced to reconsider his priorities. And it forced the best out of him.
FIU emerged as a legitimate option for James late in his senior year, and he seized the opportunity. James made highlight plays and game-winning throws en route to making the All-Conference USA honorable mention list a year ago.
When James is fatigued during a practice or makes a mistake during a game, he recalls those moments of being passed over during his recruiting. And while he’s in the midst of a quarterback competition this preseason, he’s motivated to lead his team behind center once again.
“I always knew the talent level that I had and what I was capable of, but just not seeing that shown in the offers I was getting or not getting was definitely frustrating,” James said in a recent interview with HERO Sports. “… Coming to FIU is an absolute blessing. I don’t take that for granted at all. There was definitely a time where I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to play Division I ball. That’s what I always dreamed of doing as a kid, and I knew I was capable of doing it.
“Everything worked out how it was supposed to, and I ended up here and I’m absolutely thankful for that.”
Grayson James Becomes FIU’s Starting Quarterback
James was drawn to football since kindergarten.
He played flag football growing up, as his father was passionate about sports. While he also competed in basketball and baseball, football called to him.
James began focusing on quarterback in fifth or sixth grade. He loved having the ball in his hands and orchestrating the offense.
He also relished in the weight of his teammates depending on him.
“Honestly, I think pressure is a privilege,” James said. “Whenever you have the pressure, being able to come through, those are the moments that you play for. When it’s on you, you’ve got to go and make a play for your team, for your teammates. All the time, all the work you put in, that’s just what it’s all for.”
James had to face some pressure early, as he didn’t redshirt in his true freshman season and played six games in 2021. And in Mike MacIntyre’s first year as head coach in 2022, James was thrust into the leading role early and started 10 games. But that’s exactly what he wanted.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound signal caller threw for 1,962 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on a 59% completion rate while also rushing for 223 yards and three touchdowns. That helped him earn consideration as one of the best Conference USA quarterbacks.
And the pressure was maybe never greater than his first appearance of 2022. He entered FIU’s season opener against Bryant with a 16-10 deficit in the third quarter and led the Panthers to their third-largest comeback in program history.
He completed 16 of 31 passes for 207 yards and four touchdowns. He connected with E.J. Wilson Jr. on a two-point conversion pass for a 38-37 victory in overtime.
Moments like that make James “absolutely” want to chase that jubilation of victory more in 2023.
“I’m feeling really confident,” James said of the experience he gained. “I’ve been focusing on the details and being a better leader on and off the field.”
Grayson James’ Development At FIU
James also threw for more than 300 yards in back-to-back contests against Charlotte and Louisiana Tech last season. But for all the potential he showed, he also made his share of mistakes.
MacIntyre told HERO Sports he’s happy to have someone like David Yost, FIU’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, to rely on for James’ development. Yost has worked with the likes of Justin Herbert at Oregon, Jordan Love at Utah State, and Blaine Gabbert, Chase Daniels, and Brad Smith at Missouri.
FIU went 4-8 last season. Yost noted James was a key factor in the Panthers’ wins, but James likely could’ve been better in their losses. Thus, consistency has been a major focus for James, and Yost noticed him improve in that way in the offseason.
“He’s an extremely, extremely talented guy,” Yost said in an interview with HERO Sports. “He’s just getting more and more consistent. You could kind of see it in the spring and over the summer. I think he knows what he needs to work on, and he’s more comfortable in an outfront role. He talks more than he did last year at this time, so that’s been really, really positive.”
James confessed he tends to be more of a leader by example rather than by vocal means. But he realizes how critical that aspect is to playing the position he loves.
He knows he’s in a position to inspire his teammates, so he seeks to strike the right tone — trying to compel others to work harder but in a way that galvanizes the Panthers.
He’s simultaneously continued to set that example through his work ethic. MacIntyre noted James’ commitment to the weight room has been among the most impressive in the program. James is in the best shape since he’s been at FIU, MacIntyre added.
“He’s extremely talented. Just the growth process of learning how to play quarterback in college football and the consistency,” MacIntyre replied when asked what James needed to work on. “The quarterback position in football is by far the most critical position there is, and how those guys prepare and how they perform and how they lead, all those areas go together and that’s what he’s kept working at and improving on.”
Yost also noted that he wants every position to improve through competition, and that includes quarterback.
Yost told James that FIU needed better quarterback play in 2023, and that wasn’t just James’ fault. “We need better play than that,” Yost remembers saying.
Part of that is Yost’s responsibility. He aims to accentuate the strengths of his quarterback when he’s designing an offense.
But that’s also why FIU is holding an open competition to become the team’s starting signal caller this preseason. He wants the Panthers’ other passers to motivate James, and for him to push them.
“I’ve always told quarterbacks all the time: I don’t decide who starts, they decide who starts,” Yost said. “I just evaluate.”
Yost pointed out James’ arm talent is “really, really high.” He has an exceptional power which helps him push the ball downfield.
He also is a “really, really smart guy,” Yost added. He knows how to position everyone else on the offense in the right situations so FIU can attack defenses in the best way possible.
“You look at his best stuff, and his best stuff is as good as anybody. His best stuff could lead us to a lot of opportunities to win football games,” Yost said. “Can we get that at a higher rate than what we got last year?”
That’s a question James will be determined to answer.
