Ball-hawking, versatile safety with early-playmaking juice
In the 2025 season at Northern Illinois, James Finley made an immediate splash as a true freshman, posting 21 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 pass breakups in 11 games with 4 starts. He stood out for his versatility — playing safety, corner, nickel, and in the box — and for the kind of intelligence coaches love, with one outlet quoting him as “very, very intelligent.” He’s a fit for teams that want a multi-role defensive back with range, instincts, and early production; the big question is role clarity, not talent.
