Oregon running back and former Oakland star Jordan James is officially an NFL rookie after being picked by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 NFL Draft on April 26.
James was selected No. 147 overall in the fifth round.
James is the first Oakland High player to be drafted since JaCoby Stevens was taken 224th in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Here’s what James brings to the 49ers, based on his career with Oregon:
Jordan James joins Jauan Jennings as Murfreesboro products with 49ers
There will be a strong Murfreesboro-area connection with the San Francisco 49ers this season.
After San Francisco selected James in the fifth round, he will join former Blackman football and Tennessee star Jauan Jennings on the 49ers.
Jennings, who was a 2020 seventh-round pick (No. 217 overall) by San Francisco, has played four seasons with the 49ers. He has 155 career receptions for 1,938 yards and 13 touchdowns, including a career-high 975 yards and six TDs in 2024.
Former Gallatin and Georgia Tech star Jordan Mason was on the 49ers from 2022-24 before being traded to Minnesota in the offseason for the Vikings’ fifth-round pick in 2025.
What Jordan James brings to San Francisco 49ers in 2025 NFL Draft
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound James brings a successful Big Ten pedigree, leading Oregon to the College Football Playoff as a junior. His compact frame and ability to break tackles compliments his 4.55 40-yard dash speed (recorded at the NFL Combine) and cutting ability. James led Oakland to back-to-back Class 6A state championships at Oakland and was a key cog in back-to-back CFP appearances for Oregon.
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Jordan James highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Oregon
James was Oregon’s leading rusher (1,267 yards, 15 touchdowns) and was named second-team all-conference as a senior. His strengths included being able to elude defenders with lateral cuts and change of direction while also showcasing the ability to break tackles and run through defenders. He was also a reliable pass catcher out out of the backfield. His weaknesses include patience behind the line of scrimmage and a top-end speed that has been ranked as average amongst his peers.
Jordan James stats with Oregon
2024: Rushing: 233 carries, 1,267 yards (5.4 average), 15 touchdowns. Receiving: 26 receptions for 209 yards.
Career: Rushing: 386 carries, 2,251 yards, 31 touchdowns. Receiving: 42 receptions for 347 yards, 1 touchdown.
Jordan James NFL comparison
James’ size is comparable to many of the NFL’s successful running backs, but one in particular comparison that comes to mind is Tennessee backup running back Tyjae Spears, who carved out a solid secondary role with the Titans alongside Derek Henry and Tony Pollard the past couple of seasons.
Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.
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