Shemar James’ favorite linebacker is Patrick Queen.

“He’s just a guy that can run and hit,” James said while attending the NFL Scouting Combine. “A guy that can command a defense, and a guy that’s just an all-around linebacker. A violent guy, a guy that can get off blocks really well, a guy that can stop the run in its tracks, so, like I said, he’s a three-down linebacker that I’ve been watching since he was at LSU.”

Queen has gone on from the SEC to five seasons as an NFL starter and has been a Pro Bowl selection in each of the previous two seasons.

James already has followed Queen into the SEC with three seasons at Florida. The former Alabama prep star took another step toward following Queen into the NFL by participating in the NFL Scouting Combine.

“I would say probably just speed,” James said about what he had hoped to impress upon the NFL talent evaluators gathered in Indianapolis. “Speed, my athletic ability, being able to cover sideline-to-sideline. I’m a three-down linebacker that can stop the run and go play in coverage.”

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James’ 40-yard dash time of 4.69 seconds was not among the fastest for the linebackers at the annual event. But his three-cone drill and shuttle run were. And during practices for the Reese’s Senior Bowl, James recorded the seventh-fastest speed measured by Zebra Technologies by reaching 20.71 mph, the top speed for any player who wasn’t a wide receiver or a defensive back.

“It was amazing,” James said of his Senior Bowl showing. “It kind of goes back to that training, like I said, at Exos, just giving credit to those guys over there getting me faster, bigger and stronger. It just gives a testament to God. He gave me this athletic ability, and he allowed me to showcase it in Mobile.”

The Senior Bowl marked a return to Mobile for James, who prepped at Faith Academy in the Port City. The Alabama Sports Writers Association selected James for the athlete position on its Class 5A All-State team for the 2020 season. Faith tied the school record with 12 victories in that campaign.

James could have returned to Florida for the 2025 season. But at 20 years old, he’s heading for the NFL instead.

“I felt like I was ready for this opportunity,” James said. “I feel like I’m one of the best players here. You know, I may be the youngest, but I still have that utmost confidence in myself.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1