FSU Alums: Derwin James right to turn down private workout with Bucs

Derwin James did not want to risk hurting himself ahead of Thursday’s NFL Draft – and in turning down a decision to work out made a genius decision.

Close to four months ago, as the FSU football team was getting ready for the Independence Bowl against Southern Miss, I used this very website to express the opinion that Derwin James – the All-American safety for the Seminoles – was wrong for skipping the bowl game (as several teammates also did) and said it set a bad precedent for the future.

I still stand by that opinion – and James is back to deciding not to take the field for a team from the state of Florida. Only this time, it’s the right move.

An article that came put late last week from Albert Greer over at our parent company Sports Illustrated mentioned reports that that Tampa Bay Buccaneers had asked Derwin James to do an individual workout for the team – who seems to be getting really comfortable with the idea of taking him at No. 7 in a few days.

After talking with his agents, according to Greer, James turned the idea down reportedly because of the thought that nothing more could be done after a good NFL Combine and pro day at FSU late last month. Add to that recent injuries to prospects during individual workouts and the idea was a possible recipe for disaster.

Now, my beef with Derwin James over skipping the bowl game is that he was still a member of the FSU football program and was essentially bailing on his Seminoles family. I get why it was done, but don’t agree whether it was James, Josh Sweat or even players from other schools doing it while they are still enrolled.

This is a different animal because, since Derwin James is a declared player for the 2018 NFL Draft, every decision to be made can only be thought of with his future football career (and checking account) in mind.

Unlike last season when we all saw former Noles star Dalvin Cook fall into the second round, making a lot of teams look dumb in the process, James is going to be taken on the first day. With mock drafts having him going as high as seventh to Tampa Bay or as low as No. 16 to the Baltimore Ravens, it won’t take long for Derwin James to become a professional player.

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This has now become the time to not mess around with that – this is where Derwin James does what is best for Derwin James. The Bucs saw plenty in Tallahassee, on film and at the combine – if they want him, they or any of the other teams picking in the top half of the first round know where to find him.