April 9, 2008

SAN DIEGO - San Diego State senior defensive back Scotty James (Elsinore, Calif.) has been named to the 2008 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced Wednesday. James was one of 439 players from 226 schools to be recognized for his achievement in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.2 undergraduate grade-point average and being a starter or significant substitute in his final year of eligibility.

James played in nine games in 2007, starting the first four at cornerback and logging 13 tackles and a pair of pass breakups. He was one of five former walk-ons to earn a scholarship last season. James, a two-year letterwinner for the Aztecs, originally attended San Diego State out of high school, but later transferred to Mt. San Jacinto College, where he ranked second in the state in interceptions with nine in his only year with the Eagles in 2005.

The Elsinore, Calif., native will complete his bachelor's degree in social science this May and currently boasts a 3.38 cumulative grade-point average. James was also named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine All-District VIII second team and earned the squad's President's Award for Highest Standards of Academic and Athletic Excellence in 2006.

This is the second consecutive year that an Aztec football player was named to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, as former center Patrick Justman earned a spot in the inaugural year in 2007.