Former Brentwood Academy running back Jordan James officially enrolled at Oakland

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

One of the top junior football players in the nation officially has landed in Murfreesboro.

Running back Jordan James, who left Brentwood Academy in October before the Eagles' regular season was completed, is now enrolled at Oakland.

James' transfer to Oakland has been no secret, as he posted his intentions on Twitter in March before making it official with the recent enrollment.

"It was a family decision," James said of his decision to leave Brentwood Academy last season. "It was best for me (to) the leave the school. It was personal reasons."

He said he liked the Patriots' "play style" and said the "education is great" at the school, which were factors in the family's decision to move to Murfreesboro.

The 5-foot-9, 200-pounder is a four-star prospect by 247Sports, which ranks him as the No. 76 player nationally in the 2022 class, sixth overall nationally at his position and No. 1 in Tennessee.

James, who rushed for 1,099 yards on 155 carries and 18 total touchdowns in nine games last season, has offers from SEC schools Alabama, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Mississippi State, Georgia and South Carolina as well as Power Five teams Florida State, Louisville, Penn State, Nebraska and Virginia Tech.

Oakland coach Kevin Creasy hasn't seen much of James on the field but certainly is aware of his talent and reputation.

"The only film we saw on him was a scrimmage we had against them last year," Creasy said. "He did really well against us and showed off his talents. He's a really good runner, receiver and blocker out of the backfield."

Former Brentwood Academy running back Jordan James (15) has enrolled at Oakland.

James' family, which previously lived in Nashville, has moved to Murfreesboro, he and Creasy confirmed.

"I'm loving it," James said of the move. "It will be different, but I'm excited to play with (Oakland). They would have been state contenders without me. Maybe I'll give them a better chance of winning."

James has been limited in workouts since a July 4 weekend Jet Ski accident that he said "left a wound" on his leg. He said he would be back to action this week.

James is the second elite running back to transfer from a private school to Oakland in the past three years. Former Nashville Christian star Xavier Myers joined the Patriots prior to his senior season in 2018 and finished as a Class 6A Mr. Football finalist while leading Oakland to the state title.

The Patriots also got a running back transfer last season when Jordan Brown switched from Blackman to the Patriots.

Oakland went 13-1 last season, falling 12-0 at Maryville in the Class 6A state semifinals. The Patriots have been to at least the 6A semifinals each of the past six seasons and won the 2018 title.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.