James Tabor

C2P – What were your expectations arriving in college? What are your expectations moving forward?

When I first came to college, I expected to be a four year starter and hopefully win a few National Championships. My expectations now are to put myself in the best situation in order to make it to the Next Level. I believe that College humbled me and now I know I have to be patient and can’t expect any guarantees at the next level as it is a business.

 

C2P- What moment did you realize the NFL was an opportunity?

I always felt I had what it took to get there growing up, but this past offseason going into my Senior Season is when I think it really became a reality that I possible could have a chance to make it.

 

C2P – What is your best quality at your position?

Being an aggressive run blocker and also being versatile enough to play all 5 positions on the OL.

C2P – What did your coach preach you needed to work on the most?

Getting more flexible in my hips and improving my core strength

C2P – What did your coach praise you on for doing very well?

My ability to run block and finishing my defender once I’m engaged with them.

C2P – Your biggest asset that you never were able to reveal in college?

Playing the Center position. At the programs I been at (West Liberty University and Friends University) Guard and Tackle were a big need, so I was never able to show my ability to play center even though that is what position I was recruited in high school to play in college.

 

C2P – One word to describe you a player?

Relentless

C2P – What type of offense/defense did you play mostly in college?

At West Liberty we were a spread team that ran mostly zone concept blocking. At Friends we are a run first offense similar to Wisconsin, where we ran most Power, Trap and Counter schemes.

C2P – What will be your biggest adjustment moving forward?

I think the speed of the game as the NFL is much faster than D2 or NAIA football.

C2P – What pro player would you remind us most of with your style of play?

Chance Warmack because he’s a dominant run blocker and is also the leader of the OL.

C2P – Best film to go back and watch?

Ottawa KS and Southwestern KS

C2P – How many positions can you play or have played?

I’ve had and can play all 5 positions on the Offensive Line.

C2P – Any all-star invites and if yes have you accepted the invite?

Yes I recently played in the D1 FCS National Bowl in Miami, where I started at Left Guard on the Black Team coached by Mike Stock. I was also invited to the College Gridiron Showcase in Texas but I will no longer be attending.

C2P – What teams in the NFL fit your style the best?

I think I could fit with all 32 teams, but I think the AFC North is what sticks out to me the most because of the physicality they play with and that’s the type of player I am.

C2P – How do you plan on attacking the next few months to prepare for a shot at the NFL?

I plan on possibly going to Tennessee for 6 weeks to train with my older Cousin Hassan Stamps, who is a track Coach at East Tennessee State and also a former National Champion Sprinter at the University of Tennessee. He has a trained multiple guys for the Combine and their Pro days and he would be the right guy to get me ready.

C2P – What other schools showed interest in your leaving high school?

I was offered by Central Connecticut State, Duquesne, Jackson State and Virginia Union, and received heavy interest from Northern Illinois, Marshall, Bowling Green, Youngstown State, Robert Morris, Purdue and Colorado. Northern Illinois actually directed me to go Harper JC in Chicago for two years, which is where I originally signed too so that I could get into NIU, but things didn’t work out financially in Chicago since they don’t offer dorms and I didn’t want to go to a Kansas JC at the time.

Pro Day Work 

 

 

TABOR HIGHLIGHTS

NFL Scout Insider

C2P – Have you ever been arrested or have a criminal record?

No

C2P  – Where you a team captain in college?

No

C2P – How many games did you miss due to injury (College)?

2

C2P – How many concussions have you had or known of?

1

C2P – How many games did you start?

15

C2P – What is the most positive words spoken by your head coach about your game?

At West Liberty I was told I have one of the best zone blocking tracks they’ve seen at WLU and while at Friends I was told that I’m heck of run blocker and when I’m focused I could be great.

 

A long journey to reach Friends University. Stops at Harper, Mount Union and West Liberty before ending his career at Friends. Missed senior season and has faced a lot of adversity with family and friends mentioning to him that he should focus on school and let the goal of playing football go. Tabor can play several positions. Played right guard in high school and recruited as center (Including Northern Illinois) and played tackle at Friends. Played left guard at FCS National Bowl. Has athletic ability, lateral quickness and balance to mirror his man. Shows ability to recover and has experience at several positions. Works hard and wants to improve. Still very raw and footwork needs some refinement. Excels in run blocking and plays physical. Good hand punch. Gets leverage and locks on to defender.