James Wiggins (American football)

Last updated

James Wiggins
Personal information
Born: (1997-04-26) April 26, 1997 (age 26)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school: South Dade Senior
(Homestead, Florida)
College: Cincinnati (2016–2020)
Position: Safety
NFL draft: 2021  / Round: 7 / Pick: 243
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

James Wiggins (born April 26, 1997) is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Cincinnati, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Contents

Early years

Wiggins attended South Dade Senior High School in Homestead, Florida. He originally committed to the University of Miami to play college football but switched his commitment to the University of Cincinnati. [1] [2]

College career

Wiggins played at Cincinnati from 2016 to 2020. Over the course of his college career, Wiggins was named to Bruce Feldman's college football freaks list multiple times for his outstanding athleticism. [3]

He redshirted his first year in 2016. He became a starter his sophomore year in 2018, a season in which Wiggins would have two game winning interceptions for the Bearcats. In a September win over Ohio that year, Wiggins' interception at the 1-yard line with 52 seconds left clinched a 34–30 victory. The following month at SMU, his 86-yard "Pick Six" in overtime ended UC's 26–20 win over the Mustangs. [4]

Wiggins missed the 2019 season due to a torn ACL. [5] [6] Wiggins returned from the injury in 2020 and was named an All-American by The Athletic . [7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+1⁄4 in
(1.81 m)		209 lb
(95 kg)		29 in
(0.74 m)		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		4.41 s1.53 s2.62 s38.0 in
(0.97 m)		10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)		22 reps
All values from Pro Day [8] [9] [10]

Arizona Cardinals

Wiggins was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round (243rd overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. [11] On May 20, 2021, Wiggins signed his four-year rookie contract with Arizona. He was waived on August 31, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. [12] [13] He was promoted to the active roster on October 12, 2021. He was placed on injured reserve on December 4. [14]

On August 30, 2022, Wiggins was waived by the Cardinals. [15]

Kansas City Chiefs

On September 6, 2022, Wiggins signed with the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs. [16] He was released from the practice squad on September 13, 2022. [17]

Green Bay Packers

On January 10, 2023, Wiggins signed a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers. [18] Wiggins was released by Green Bay on May 15, 2023. [19]

New Orleans Breakers

Wiggins signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL) on May 30, 2023. [20] The Breakers folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL). [21]

Birmingham Stallions

On January 5, 2023, Wiggins was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft. [22] He was released on March 10, 2024. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Banjo</span> American football player (born 1990)

Ayokunmi Christopher Oluwaseun Banjo is a former American football safety and current assistant special teams coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at SMU. Banjo was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He has also played for the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Ringo</span> American football player (born 1992)

Christian Jacques Rashad Ringo is an American football nose tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Louisiana and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanner Vallejo</span> American football player (born 1994)

Tanner Vallejo is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Boise State and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Vallejo has also played for the Cleveland Browns, the Washington Redskins and the Arizona Cardinals.

Justin Murray is an American football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Murray played high school football at Sycamore High School in Cincinnati. While in high school, Murray set the Greater Miami Conference shot put record at 59'06.5". He played college football at Cincinnati, and was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Murray has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans.

Trevon Coley is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Florida Atlantic. He has previously played for the Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and New York Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashaad Coward</span> American football player (born 1994)

Rashaad Coward is an American football offensive tackle for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football as a defensive end at Old Dominion. He has been a member of the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Houston Roughnecks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Thomas (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Jordan Malik Thomas is an American football tight end for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Mississippi State as a tight end and was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korey Cunningham</span> American football player (born 1995)

Korey Cunningham is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Cincinnati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt McCrane</span> American football player (born 1994)

Matthew McCrane is an American football placekicker for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Kansas State University. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He has also played for the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Guardians, and Cleveland Browns.

Chris Payton-Jones is an American football cornerback for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Nebraska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Owens</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jonathan James Owens is an American football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Missouri Western, and signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He has also played for the Houston Texans

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson Barton</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jackson Barton is an American football offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Utah and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has also been a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants.

Joshua Miles is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Morgan State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darrius Shepherd</span> American football player (born 1995)

Darrius Allen Shepherd is an American football wide receiver for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at North Dakota State, and was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

Nate Brooks is an American football cornerback for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at North Texas and signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and Birmingham Stallions.

A. J. Richardson is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Boise State and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

Jace Whittaker is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Arizona and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michal Menet</span> American football player (born 1997)

Michal James Menet is an American football center who is a free agent. He played college football at Penn State and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Ammendola</span> American football player (born 1996)

Matt Ammendola is an American football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football at Oklahoma State. After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, he has played for the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Houston Texans.

Andre Baccellia is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington and was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020.

References

  1. ↑ Herald, Miami. "South Dade's James Wiggins decommits from UM | High School Sports Blog". miamiherald.typepad.com.
  2. ↑ Herald, Miami. "Former UM commit Wiggins announces commitment to Cincinnati | High School Sports Blog". miamiherald.typepad.com.
  3. ↑ "James Wiggins Putting Himself In Position To Rise Up NFL Draft Boards". thedraftnetwork.com.
  4. ↑ Hoard, Dan. "HOARD: Wiggins Sets Lofty Goal In Return To Secondary". UC Athletics.
  5. ↑ Jenkins, Keith. "Cincinnati Bearcats safety James Wiggins eager to start season following turbulent year". The Enquirer.
  6. ↑ Williams, Justin. "James Wiggins is back and his biggest plays are the ones you don't see" . The Athletic.
  7. ↑ "Wiggins Snags First-team All-America Honor From The Athletic". University of Cincinnati Athletics.
  8. ↑ "James Wiggins Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  9. ↑ "2021 Draft Scout James Wiggins, Cincinnati NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  10. ↑ "James Wiggins 2021 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  11. ↑ Odegard, Kyle (May 1, 2021). "Cardinals Add Gowan, Dimukeje, Wiggins, Menet In Late Rounds". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  12. ↑ Urban, Darren (August 31, 2021). "Initial Roster Set As Cardinals Cut Down For Season". AZCardinals.com.
  13. ↑ Urban, Darren (September 1, 2021). "Chris Banjo Among 9 Cardinals Add To Practice Squad". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  14. ↑ Urban, Darren (December 4, 2021). "Cardinals Again Sign Tavien Feaster, Beau Brinkley To Roster". AZCardinals.com.
  15. ↑ Urban, Darren (August 30, 2022). "Cardinals Make Final Cutdown To Get To Initial 53-Man Roster". AZCardinals.com.
  16. ↑ Goldman, Charles (September 6, 2022). "Chiefs make a pair of moves on the practice squad". USAToday.com. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  17. ↑ @Chiefs (September 13, 2022). "We have signed K Matt Ammendola, CB Dicaprio Bootle, & WR Corey Coleman to the Practice Squad. We have placed CB Trent McDuffie on Reserve/Injured. We released S James Wiggins from the practice squad" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ↑ "Packers sign 13 free agents". packers.com. January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Packers release S James Wiggins". packers.com. May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ @USFLBreakers (May 31, 2023). "Free Agent Signing" (Tweet). Retrieved May 31, 2023– via Twitter.
  21. ↑ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  22. ↑ "UFL - Team Rosters". www.theufl.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  23. ↑ "UFL Teams Set their Training Camp Rosters to 58". UFLBoard.com. March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.