James Blodgett Craig (March 11, 1893 – January 1990) was an All American football halfback and quarterback who played with the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1911 to 1913.

In a meet against Cornell in March 1911, Craig broke the world indoor record running the 49-yard (45 m) high hurdles in 5 1–5 seconds.

They started the season with convincing wins against and Case Institute of Technology, 24–0, Michigan Agricultural College, and Ohio State, 19–0, and narrowly beat Vanderbilt, 9–8.

After starting the season 4–0, the Wolverines went 1–1–2 in their final four games, including a loss to Cornell and ties with Syracuse and Nebraska.

In the Syracuse game, Craig suffered an injury to his ribs (believed to be torn cartilage) after being "fiercely tackled" and was expected to be unable to play "for an indefinite period.

News accounts at the time reported that the "craftiness of Coach Yost and the speed of 'Jimmy' Craig" led Michigan to the win in an icy blizzard at Ferry Field.

In one of Yost's "trick plays," Michigan's "interference started to the right," and the ball was then shot to Craig, waiting far to the left.

[9][10] The New York Times and referred to Craig as "Michigan"s offensive and defensive hero" in a "clean, snappy, spectacular, thrilling" game.

After the first three games, the Syracuse Herald noted that "according to all the reports from Ann Arbor, (Craig) is tearing up the opposing lines with ease.

In the final game of the season, Michigan beat Cornell, 13–7, with the help of "speed merchant" Jimmy Craig.

A wire service report in August 1913 suggested that as long as Craig stuck to his decision to give up football, every conversation would turn to his "holdout stunt.

"[18][19] The New York Times and The Washington Post referred to Michigan as "a savage offense, the product of a desperate eleven," and noted that the Syracuse line "melted against a whirlwind attack.

While Harvard's Charles Brickley was chosen for other All-American teams, Yost publicly proclaimed Craig as the best all around back in the country.

In intercepting forward passes I have never seen his equal, and what he can do in shooting through quick openings in the line and circling ends need not be dwelt upon.

[27] Craig served for two years as a first lieutenant in the 315th F.A., 80th Division, of the American Expeditionary Force, including 13 months of service in Europe.

Craig played for the Fort Sheridan team that also included former Michigan stars Albert Benbrook and Ernest Allmendinger.

[28][29] Craig returned from France in August 1919 and was promptly re-hired by the University of Arkansas as director of athletics and coach of the football and baseball teams.