He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, and earned consensus All-American honors.
Despite not playing football until his senior year, he posted 14 quarterback sacks, and 53 tackles (23 for losses) in his only season.
He played on the defensive line alongside teammate Anttaj Hawthorne and Jonathan Clinkscale.
The Vikings made their intentions clear to waive James on May 23, 2008, but later rescinded the waiver after the Washington Redskins offered a conditional 2009 seventh-round draft choice.
On May 27, 2008, the Vikings agreed to trade James to the Washington Redskins for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2009 NFL draft.