Texas RB wants to play early

Texarkana (Texas) Liberty-Eylau three-star running back LaMichael James is the best player in the Lone Star State that nobody is talking about.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder is an explosive runner that can hurt you on special teams and in passing situations. He's one of the most complete backs in the nation, and his three-star ranking could easily climb to four stars with a solid senior season.

James, who is ranked as the nation's No. 8 all-purpose back, said he hopes to find a school that will allow him to get early playing time.

"I think I can play as a freshman," he said. "That's big to me. I just don't want to sit out a whole year. The schools recruiting me all said I'll play as a freshman. I plan to take more time, but whatever comes up I'll look at. I'm looking down the line. I was interested in Oklahoma State and I tried committing to them, but then things got weird and they stopped talking to me so I don't know what was up with that.

"I don't know if I'm going to be going to Nebraska this weekend. I planned on it, but I really don't know now. I have to take my ACT Saturday. I haven't talked to any of the coaches about it or anything, but I'm planning on getting another visit set up with somebody else in that place."

James has already taken an impressive visit to TCU and then he's set up to be at Minnesota next weekend. After that he's very up in the air about other visits or other schools.

"TCU, Nebraska, Minnesota are the ones that are still up there," he said." I've been to TCU, we went there last week. It's about three hours away, actually it's exactly three hours. Academics are important. I want to graduate. I'm going to major in Physical Therapy.

"Whenever I feel comfortable that'll be my school. That's all I can say. Mainly the heart. I need to have my heart sold into it."