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UPDATE -- Monday, 11:52 a.m.: Tom Mulhern of the Wisconsin State Journal caught up with James to discuss his commitment. George Rushing was indeed a factor in getting him to commit, as James says they've attended several camps together and become pretty close. A few weeks ago, Mulhern reports, Rushing talked to receivers coach Chris Beatty and showed him some video of James. From there, the offer followed.
And regarding that 40 time? "Bullet" says we should believe in his speed no matter what.
However you want to measure it, Andrew James is fast.
He said he was timed at 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash last summer at a football camp.
"Hand-timed, so that's not exactly accurate," James said. "But I'm a fast kid, I can tell you that."
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When you're still 11 months away from the National Signing Day, any commitment seems like a surprise. But the good news? These commitments bring a lot to the table. And on Tuesday, the promise of Andrew James belongs to Wisconsin.
Committed to the University of Wisconsin #GoBadgers pic.twitter.com/4dw9alSefS
— Andrew James (@andr3wjam3s_) March 11, 2014
The first thing you'll notice about James is the speed. He's been timed at a 4.34-second 40-yard dash. In fact, he's officially nicknamed "Bullet." The irony of giant guys named tiny aside, it does seem like James has the wheels to fit in with what Gary Andersen plans to do, as he's expected to come in as an athlete and begin as a kick/punt returner. If he ends up on returns with a guy like Natrell Jamerson or Serge Trezy, you have an element that the Badgers haven't had in a long while.
"I just feel as if it's the program that's right for me right now," James told Badger247. "I thought I would jump right on the Wisconsin train."
[...]
"I definitely believe I'll be a great asset with my speed," he said. "I believe I'll be a great asset to the program."
Being from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., James is good friends with freshman receiver George Rushing. While James' offer sheet is currently small (offers only from Bryant, Cincinnati and Temple), Chris Beatty's latest commitment has the upside to find some big offers during his senior season.