A three-year starter who has evolved into one of the premier defensive players at the Division I-AA level, Massachusetts defensive back Shannon James is continuing to make the case that he may be a candidate to land in the National Football League following next season.

The junior Stratford, Conn. native leads the Atlantic 10 with eight interceptions, and earlier this week was named to the “watch list” for the annual Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player at the I-AA level. He is the second UMass player in as many years to be considered for the award, joining former tri-captain Jeremy Cain, who was on the “watch list” last season and has spent much of 2004 on the Chicago Bears’ practice squad.

A third team All-A-10 selection in 2003, James has started all 25 games he’s played in since coming to Amherst, and has posted over 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons. He is currently tied with middle linebacker Serge Tikum for the team lead in tackles with 63, including 55 solo stops.

“Shannon is just a really solid football player in every aspect of his game,” UMass coach Don Brown said. “He can run, he can cover, he can tackle, he can play all over the place and he has an uncanny knack for making plays.

“Being on this list is just the start of the recognition he deserves. He’s just a hell of a football player.”

Joining James on the list are the following players: Tom Alfsen, DE, Lehigh; Lee Basinger, DL, Wofford; Jordan Beck, LB, Cal Poly; Antoine Bethea, DB, Howard; Roger Cooper, LB, Montana State; Justin Durant, LB, Hampton; Liam Ezekiel, LB, Northeastern; Brady Fosmark, DL, Weber State; William Freeman, LB, Furman; Chris Gocong, DE, Cal Poly; Boomer Grigsby, LB, Illinois State; Tad Kornegay, DB, Fordham; Kevin Talley, LB, Norfolk State; Charles Thompson, LB, Western Kentucky; Gian Villante, LB, Hofstra.

– Mike Marzelli