James Skalski

James Skalski (born February 2, 1998) is an American football linebacker for the Clemson Tigers.

James Skalski
Clemson Tigers – No. 47
PositionLinebacker
Class
Redshirt
Senior
Career history
College
Bowl games2021 Sugar Bowl
High schoolNorthgate (Newnan, Georgia)
Personal information
Born: (1998-02-02) February 2, 1998
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career highlights and awards
  • Second team All-ACC (2020)

Early years

Skalski attended Northgate High School in Newnan, Georgia, where he played soccer as well as linebacker and punter on the gridiron.[1] As a junior, he was limited to seven games due to a thumb injury but had 78 tackles and three sacks, earning All-County honors.[2] Skalski recorded 170 tackles as a senior including 33 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and two defensive touchdowns. He was named the Region 4-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year.[1] In February 2015, Skalski committed to Clemson over offers from Louisville, Marshall, Ole Miss, North Carolina, South Carolina, UCF and Wake Forest.[2]

College career

As a freshman in 2016, Skalski had 14 tackles, with eight tackles coming on special teams plays.[3] He recorded 37 tackles, including two tackles for loss as a sophomore while starting two games. Skalski redshirted the 2018 season after sustaining an injury in preseason practice.[4] Due to a new NCAA rule, he was able to return at the end of the season while keeping his redshirt and helped Clemson win the national championship.[5] As a redshirt junior in 2019, Skalski was second on the team with 105 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, as well as 4.5 sacks, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He was named to the All-ACC Academic Team.[6] In the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship, he had six tackles, a sack and a pass breakup, but was ejected due to a targeting penalty.[7]

Coming into his senior season, Skalski was named to the Butkus Award watchlist.[6] He focused on improving his diet by cutting out junk food and lowering his sugar intake.[7] On October 24, 2020, Skalski missed the game against Syracuse with a groin injury during practice.[8] After an MRI revealed more significant damage which required surgery, he was ruled out for several weeks.[9] Skalski returned in the win against Pittsburgh on November 28.[10] He was ejected in the Sugar Bowl for targeting after lowering his helmet into the body of Justin Fields in the second quarter of a 49-28 loss to Ohio State.[11]

Personal life

Skalski is the son of John and Sherri Skalski. His older sister Brenna played softball at Georgia State.[7] Skalski's father died of a heart attack on October 14, 2016, while mowing the lawn. Skalski missed Clemson's following game against NC State.[3] He got a tattoo on his left bicep that says, "War like the warrior you are," based on a quote of his father's.[12]

References
  1. Oliver, Gavin (February 11, 2017). "Skalski enjoyed 'fun ride' in first season". The Clemson Insider. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  2. Crumpton, Tony (February 4, 2015). "3-star LB commits to Clemson". TigerNet.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  3. Lentz, Zach (October 27, 2020). "Tragedy Turns to Triumph for James Skalski". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  4. Keepfer, Scott (August 29, 2018). "Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney has plan in place to redshirt linebacker James Skalski". The Greenville News. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  5. Pendergist, Ashley (March 6, 2019). "Skalski is ready to step up". The Clemson Insider. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  6. Anderson, Reggie (July 20, 2020). "Skalski named to Butkus award watch list". WTLX. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  7. Needelman, Joshua (March 9, 2020). "'Like a criminal': Clemson linebacker's ejection in title game was low point, but he's back". The Post and Courier. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  8. Adelson, Andrea (October 24, 2020). "Clemson Tigers without DT Tyler Davis, LB James Skalski vs. Syracuse Orange". ESPN. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  9. Hale, David (October 27, 2020). "Clemson Tigers LB James Skalski to miss multiple games with groin injury". ESPN. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  10. Needelman, Joshua (November 29, 2020). "7 takeaways from Clemson's win over Pittsburgh". The Post and Courier. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  11. Adelson, Andrea (January 2, 2021). "Clemson LB James Skalski ejected from Sugar Bowl for targeting". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  12. Raynor, Grace (August 10, 2019). "Scouting James Skalski: Clemson coaches say to watch out for this unheralded Tigers linebacker". The Athletic. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
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