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Boise State numerical roster countdown 2015: Day 22, Chanceller James

By Drew Roberts
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Second to last palindrome day. That means we are getting closer..

We're just 22 days from the season opener, and wouldn't you know we've had yet another jersey switch...but alas, changing things this late in the game would cause a pileup, so we'll highlight last year's #22 on the date that will henceforth be associated with LB Drew Berger (who we highlighted on day 53). New number 3, meet day 22—Chanceller James

#22 (3), Chanceller James, Junior, DB

James

Stats

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 216 lbs

High School: Steele Canyon High School, Spring Valley, CA

How'd he get to The Blue™?

Chanceller had a stellar career at Steele Canyon High where he was teammates with fellow class of 2012 recruit Mario Yakoo. James improvement each year at SCHS was evidenced by his movement up the all-conference ladder. He was an honorable mention All-Grossmont Hills League performer as a sophomore after making 50 tackles and 2 picks—a 2nd team all-conference performer as a junior, after racking up 70 tackles and 7 forced fumbles (and recoveries) and finally a first-teamer last season, when he made 80 stops and 5 INTs. Along with James' Bronco offer, he held offers from Air Force, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, New Mexico, and San Diego State.

Nickname

"Chance"

Chance card

Look-a-like

Paris

Slightly more diminutive Bronco b-ball signee Paris Austin

Career highlights

Appeared in 10 games for Broncos in 2014 before suffering a season-ending injury against Wyoming. Special Teams Scout Player of the Year in 2012. All-Grossmont League first team in 2011. All-Academic team in 2011. All-Grossmont League 2nd team in 2010. All-Grossmont League honorable mention in 2009.

2015 prospectus

James comes from the DJ Harper school of hard knocks—well, his knees do at any rate. After suffering a left knee injury in 2013 Fall Camp that kept him from playing his entire redshirt freshman season, James was looking good as a sophomore last year. He'd basically supplanted Corey Bell on the depth chart and might have been one of the primary reasons we actually escaped Albuquerque with a win in '15...but then the Wyoming game happened and James was again snake-bitten. James suffered a season-ender on the right knee and had to watch the Fiesta Bowl from the wings. The ever optimistic James didn't dwell on the injury too long, however...in fact, mere days after the devastating injury, he vowed to be back in time for Fall Camp and that's exactly what he's done.

It's clear that James is a favorite amongst his teammates and coaches, so having him back in pads is an important development for the Broncos for more than just the depth and experience he provides. James will be an emotional leader on the team this year as well as a great mentor to the slew of young DBs the Broncos brought on in the offseason. So far, in camp, he's working at Nickel...so the early depth chart to come out of media days is already tweaked (James was listed just behind Dylan Sumner-Gardner at strong safety). The nickel chart currently has James joining senior Mercy Maston and sophomore JuCo transfer Kam Miles and look perfectly poised to wreck stuff. Given James' versatility, I wouldn't be surprised to see him at nickel or safety this year and he'll do well in either capacity. He's one of the bigger DBs in the secondary and I think he'll improve on his 36 tackles from a year ago if he stays healthy. For all of our sakes, I hope he does. And as luck would have it, the assembled media interviewed James on Tuesday morning (OBNUG sadly, was otherwise occupied). Enjoy (courtesy of Dave Southorn's steady hand and the Idaho Statesman).

Is he on Twitter?

Completely NOT made up fact

James actually announced in a fanshot that he'd be committing to the Broncos back in late 2011. Because we're all conditioned to be scared of NCAA recruiting violations most of us smiled and backed away slowly.