James Wiggins (American football) explained

James Wiggins
Current Team:Edmonton Elks
Number:16
Position:Safety
Birth Date:26 April 1997
Birth Place:Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:205
High School:South Dade Senior
(Homestead, Florida)
College:Cincinnati (2016–2020)
Draftyear:2021
Draftround:7
Draftpick:243
Pastteams:
Status:Suspended list
Cflstatus:American
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Tackles
Statlabel2:Pass deflections
Statlabel3:Interceptions
Pfr:WiggJa00

James Wiggins (born April 26, 1997) is an American professional football safety for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Cincinnati, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Early life

Wiggins attended South Dade Senior High School in Homestead, Florida. He originally committed to the University of Miami to play college football but switched his commitment to the University of Cincinnati.[1] [2]

College career

Wiggins played at Cincinnati from 2016 to 2020. Over the course of his college career, Wiggins was named to Bruce Feldman's college football freaks list multiple times for his outstanding athleticism.[3]

He redshirted his first year in 2016. He became a starter his sophomore year in 2018, a season in which Wiggins would have two game winning interceptions for the Bearcats. In a September win over Ohio that year, Wiggins' interception at the 1-yard line with 52 seconds left clinched a 34–30 victory. The following month at SMU, his 86-yard "Pick Six" in overtime ended UC's 26–20 win over the Mustangs.[4]

Wiggins missed the 2019 season due to a torn ACL.[5] [6] Wiggins returned from the injury in 2020 and was named an All-American by The Athletic.[7]

Professional career

Arizona Cardinals

Wiggins was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round (243rd overall) of the 2021 NFL draft.[8] On May 20, 2021, Wiggins signed his four-year rookie contract with Arizona. He was waived on August 31, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[9] [10] He was promoted to the active roster on October 12, 2021. He was placed on injured reserve on December 4.[11]

On August 30, 2022, Wiggins was waived by the Cardinals.[12]

Kansas City Chiefs

On September 6, 2022, Wiggins signed with the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs.[13] He was released from the practice squad on September 13, 2022.[14]

Green Bay Packers

On January 10, 2023, Wiggins signed a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers.[15] Wiggins was released by Green Bay on May 15, 2023.[16]

New Orleans Breakers

Wiggins signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL) on May 30, 2023.[17] The Breakers folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[18]

Birmingham Stallions

On January 5, 2023, Wiggins was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.[19] He was released on March 10, 2024.[20]

Edmonton Elks

Wiggins signed with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League on March 11, 2024. He was placed on the reserve/suspended list on May 12, 2024.[21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Herald . Miami . South Dade's James Wiggins decommits from UM | High School Sports Blog . miamiherald.typepad.com.
  2. Web site: Herald . Miami . Former UM commit Wiggins announces commitment to Cincinnati | High School Sports Blog . miamiherald.typepad.com.
  3. Web site: James Wiggins Putting Himself In Position To Rise Up NFL Draft Boards . thedraftnetwork.com.
  4. Web site: Hoard . Dan . HOARD: Wiggins Sets Lofty Goal In Return To Secondary . UC Athletics.
  5. Web site: Jenkins . Keith . Cincinnati Bearcats safety James Wiggins eager to start season following turbulent year . The Enquirer.
  6. Web site: Williams . Justin . James Wiggins is back and his biggest plays are the ones you don't see . subscription . The Athletic.
  7. Web site: Wiggins Snags First-team All-America Honor From The Athletic . University of Cincinnati Athletics.
  8. News: Odegard, Kyle . May 1, 2021 . Cardinals Add Gowan, Dimukeje, Wiggins, Menet In Late Rounds . AZCardinals.com . May 7, 2021.
  9. Web site: Initial Roster Set As Cardinals Cut Down For Season. Urban, Darren. AZCardinals.com. August 31, 2021.
  10. Web site: Chris Banjo Among 9 Cardinals Add To Practice Squad. Urban, Darren. AZCardinals.com. September 1, 2021. September 3, 2021. September 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210903222117/https://www.azcardinals.com/news/chris-banjo-among-9-cardinals-add-to-practice-squad. dead.
  11. Web site: Cardinals Again Sign Tavien Feaster, Beau Brinkley To Roster. Urban, Darren. AZCardinals.com. December 4, 2021.
  12. Web site: Cardinals Make Final Cutdown To Get To Initial 53-Man Roster. Urban, Darren. AZCardinals.com. August 30, 2022.
  13. Web site: Chiefs make a pair of moves on the practice squad. Goldman, Charles. USAToday.com. September 6, 2022. September 7, 2022.
  14. Chiefs . 1569772846179848193 . We have signed K Matt Ammendola, CB Dicaprio Bootle, & WR Corey Coleman to the Practice Squad. We have placed CB Trent McDuffie on Reserve/Injured. We released S James Wiggins from the practice squad..
  15. Web site: Packers sign 13 free agents. packers.com. January 10, 2023. January 10, 2023.
  16. Web site: Packers release S James Wiggins. packers.com. May 15, 2023. May 15, 2023.
  17. USFLBreakers . Free Agent Signing . 1663742095864250368 . May 30, 2023 . May 31, 2023.
  18. Web site: Seifert . Kevin . January 1, 2024 . Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches . January 15, 2024 . ESPN.com.
  19. Web site: UFL - Team Rosters . 2024-01-08 . www.theufl.com . en-us.
  20. News: UFL Teams Set their Training Camp Rosters to 58 . UFLBoard.com . March 10, 2024 . March 10, 2024.
  21. Web site: James Wiggins . footballdb.com . 8 August 2024.