DaMarcus James picked as OVC Preseason Player of the Year

Jacksonville State senior running back and Demopolis alum DaMarcus James is the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in the Ohio Valley Conference according to a media vote.

James, who is a preseason All-American by several news organizations and publications and is also on the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List, had a record-breaking junior season in 2013, where he rushed for 1,477 yards on 292 carries to set the school’s single-season rushing record.

The first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection also set the OVC record with 29 rushing touchdowns to finish second in the nation, and he scored a rushing touchdown in the final 12 games of the season to extend his school record.

The Demopolis native now has 35 career rushing touchdowns, which is the third most in school history, and his 13 career 100-yard rushing games is also the second most in school history.

He helped the Gamecocks advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals and post an 11-4 overall record and a No. 10 final ranking in The Sports Network football poll. JSU also set 49 school records, 13 OVC records and three NCAA records during the 2013 season.