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Harold James

Nickname: Lil' Harold
Birthday: 11-15-81
High School: Osceola
HS Mascot: Seminoles
HS Coach: Clinton Gore
HS Position: RB/DB
HS Number: 30
Official Visits: Alabama
Second Choice: Arkansas
Host During Alabama Visit: Andrew Zow
Committed: 11-12-99

Q&A with Harold James

TI: You were among the first players to commit to Alabama, but you waited almost three weeks after signing day before signing a letter of intent. Rumors were flying that you were having a change of heart. Were you having second thoughts about Alabama?

HJ: Not at all. Everybody was trying to make a big deal out of it, but there was nothing to it. I told the Alabama coaches that I had some things going on on signing day and was going to wait a couple of weeks. My dad was going to be out of town for a few days and I was out of town playing some basketball games. They said that was okay. They knew nothing was wrong and that I was never thinking about going anywhere else.

TI: So you heard all the rumors?

HJ: Yeah and they were getting on my nerves. I was reading stuff in the newspaper and people were telling things on the Internet. It bothered me because those people didn't know what was going on.

TI: How did it make you feel knowing that people all over the world were discussing you on the Internet?

HJ: It's funny that people everywhere were talking about me and wanted to know about me. At school they used to tell me all these things being said on the Internet. It felt good most of the time, but after a while folks got on my nerves.

TI: Talk about how the recruiting process unfolded for you? Why did you choose Alabama?

HJ: Besides Alabama, I was looking at Arkansas, Ole Miss and Tennessee. I really wanted to get out of Arkansas. I've never been a Razorback fan. Tennessee recruited me hard for a little bit, but I told them I was going to Alabama. Ole Miss is a good school, but I wanted to go to a school with more tradition and a chance to play for the national championship. I've always liked Alabama's tradition. And I like the coaches and players there too. It came down to Alabama being the school for me, so that's where I went.

TI: Did coaches from other schools continue recruiting you after you committed to Alabama?

HJ: Not as much as they were before I committed. They all knew that my mind was made up.

TI: Did the Arkansas fans give you a hard time for choosing Alabama?

HJ: Yeah and they're still giving it to me. They tell me that I should've gone to Arkansas. I tell them I never wanted to go to Arkansas.

TI: Talk about yourself as a player.

HJ: I get to the football and love to hit. I can cover too, but I mainly like to hit. That's pretty much the way it is.

TI: Sounds like you prefer defense.

HJ: That's where I'll be. I figure strong safety, if not linebacker. I don't have anything against playing offense though.

TI: Have the Alabama coaches talked to you about which position you'll play?

HJ: They've just said that I'll be on defense.

TI: You were a super running back in high school. Do you ever think about playing running back at Alabama?

HJ: Sometimes I think about it. I don't have anything against playing offense, but I've always liked defense.

TI: There have been rumors that you might be tried at fullback. How would you feel about that?

HJ: No. I do not want to even think about that. I'm not a fullback. Never have been and never want to be.

TI: Have you set any goals for next season?

HJ: I just want to do my best in school and maybe earn a starting position. That's about it.

TI: There have been rumors about your academic status. How does that stand as of now?

HJ: I've got a 2.5 and I made a 15 on my first test. I'm taking it again on June 10th. I'll get it this time. I'll be at Alabama, don't worry about that.