Before LSU became nationally known for producing elite defensive backs, Tory James was already showing what a big, athletic cornerback from Baton Rouge could become.

James played four seasons at LSU from 1992 through 1995 and finished with 11 career interceptions, still one of the highest totals in school history. He later became a second round NFL Draft pick, played 10 NFL seasons, intercepted 39 passes and earned a Pro Bowl selection.

That combination of production at LSU and success in the NFL earns James the No. 88 spot on our list of the 100 greatest LSU Tigers of all time.

From Archbishop Shaw to LSU

Tory Steven James was born in New Orleans and attended Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero.

LSU signed him as a defensive back in its 1992 recruiting class.

James immediately showed unusual versatility. As a freshman, he appeared in all 11 games and even contributed on offense, catching six passes for 78 yards and one touchdown. He also had one rushing attempt for minus five yards.

After that freshman season, his impact came almost entirely on defense.

One of LSU’s Best Ball Hawks

James developed into a productive cornerback during a difficult period in LSU football history.

He intercepted four passes in 1993 and returned them for 87 yards.

He followed with five interceptions in 1994, returning them for 23 yards and scoring one defensive touchdown.

As a senior in 1995, James added two more interceptions.

His four year LSU totals were:

11 interceptions

110 interception return yards

One interception return touchdown

44 games played

Those numbers are confirmed in LSU’s record book and Sports Reference.

James’ 11 career interceptions remain tied among the top totals in LSU history. LSU’s record book lists him alongside Morris Claiborne, Craig Steltz and Greg Jackson with 11.

That is impressive company.

Helping LSU Turn the Program Around

James played his first three seasons during one of LSU’s more difficult stretches.

The Tigers went 2–9 in 1992, 5–6 in 1993 and 4–7 in 1994.

Then Gerry DiNardo arrived in 1995.

LSU finished the regular season 6–4–1 and earned a trip to the Independence Bowl against Michigan State.

The Tigers won 45–26 to finish 7–4–1.

James made an impact in his final LSU game. He intercepted Michigan State quarterback Tony Banks and returned the ball eight yards. LSU intercepted Banks three times overall.

The victory gave LSU its first winning season since 1988 and helped signal the beginning of the program’s recovery.

James Leaves His Mark at LSU

James’ LSU career stands out because he produced consistently despite playing during a rebuilding era.

He recorded all 11 of his interceptions during his final three seasons.

His five interceptions in 1994 were his career high for a season.

And decades later, his 11 career interceptions remain among the best totals ever recorded by an LSU defensive back.

For perspective, LSU’s official record book lists Chris Williams first with 20 career interceptions, followed by Corey Webster with 16. James remains firmly within LSU’s historic interception leaderboard.

A Second Round NFL Draft Pick

The Denver Broncos selected James in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft with the 44th overall selection.

He played all 16 games as a rookie, making two starts and intercepting two passes.

Then his career nearly took a devastating turn.

James tore the patellar tendon in his right knee during Denver’s first preseason game in 1997 and missed the entire season.

He returned in 1998 and continued his NFL career.

James was a member of Denver’s 1998 team that defeated Atlanta in Super Bowl XXXIII.

By 1999, he had become an important part of the Broncos secondary and intercepted five passes that season.

A Big Play With the Raiders

James joined the Oakland Raiders in 2000 and spent three seasons there.

According to Raiders records, he appeared in 46 regular season games for Oakland and intercepted 11 passes.

His most memorable moment came in the playoffs following the 2000 season.

Oakland faced Miami in the AFC Divisional Playoffs on January 6, 2001.

Early in the game, James intercepted Jay Fiedler and returned the ball 90 yards for a touchdown.

Oakland won 27–0.

The play helped set the tone for the Raiders’ first postseason shutout in franchise history.

James was also part of an Oakland run that included three consecutive AFC West championships, two AFC Championship Game appearances and a trip to Super Bowl XXXVII.

His Best NFL Season Came in Cincinnati

James signed with Cincinnati in 2003 and became a full time starter.

He started all 64 regular season games during his four years with the Bengals.

His best season came in 2004.

James intercepted eight passes, the most on Cincinnati and just one behind NFL leader Ed Reed, who finished with nine.

Cincinnati’s official statistics credit James with 61 total tackles that season.

His performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection.

The Bengals later noted that James became the franchise’s first defensive player selected to the Pro Bowl in eight years.

He finished his four Cincinnati seasons with 21 interceptions.

A 10 Year NFL Career

James ultimately played 10 NFL regular seasons.

His career totals were:

158 games

86 starts

39 interceptions

377 interception return yards

One Pro Bowl selection

One Super Bowl championship

He played regular season games for Denver, Oakland and Cincinnati.

James later signed with New England in 2007 but did not play a regular season game for the Patriots.

For a cornerback, 158 games and 39 interceptions represent an outstanding professional career.

Why Tory James Ranks No. 88

Tory James deserves to be remembered as one of LSU’s best defensive backs from the years before the program’s modern championship era.

He played 44 games for LSU.

He intercepted 11 passes.

He helped LSU return to a winning season in 1995.

Then he became the 44th overall selection in the NFL Draft and spent a decade in the league.

James finished with 39 NFL interceptions, earned a Pro Bowl selection and won a Super Bowl championship with Denver.

LSU has produced an extraordinary list of defensive backs.

Tory James belongs in that history.

At No. 88, he earns his place among the 100 greatest LSU Tigers of all time.

Sources

LSU Athletics. “Football Signing Classes.” LSU Sports. https://lsusports.net/footballsigningclasses

LSU Athletics. “1995 LSU Football Roster.” LSU Sports. https://lsusports.net/sports/fb/roster/season/1995

LSU Athletics. “LSU Football Statistics.” LSU Sports. https://lsusports.net/fbstats

LSU Athletics. “1995 Independence Bowl: LSU 45, Michigan State 26.” LSU Sports. https://static.lsusports.net/assets/docs/fb/95stats/ls122995.htm

LSU Athletics. “LSU Football Record Book.” LSU Sports. https://static.lsusports.net/assets/docs/fb/pdf/21recordbook.pdf

LSU Athletics. “LSU Players in the NFL Draft.” LSU Sports. https://lsusports.net/nfl/nfldraft

Sports Reference. “Tory James College Stats.” Sports-Reference.com. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tory-james-1.html

Pro Football Reference. “Tory James.” Pro-Football-Reference.com. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JameTo99.htm

Las Vegas Raiders. “Tory James.” Raiders All Time Roster. https://www.raiders.com/history/all-time-roster/bios-j/tory-james

Las Vegas Raiders. “Greatest Moments: 2000 AFC Divisional Playoffs.” Raiders.com. https://www.raiders.com/news/greatest-moments-2000-afc-divisional-playoffs-1011558

Cincinnati Bengals. “2004 Team Statistics.” Bengals.com. https://www.bengals.com/team/stats/2004/

Cincinnati Bengals. “Signs of the Times.” Bengals.com. https://www.bengals.com/news/signs-of-the-times-14992430