Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 games
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 33-7vs Jacksonville State | 4 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 4 tackles |
| Wk 1 | W 38-0vs Fordham | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 4 tackles |
| Total | 6 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 |
#25
Ray James Jr.
Sophomore linebacker for North Dakota State. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
6′2″ · 240 lb · Eden Prairie, MN · DeLaSalle HS
Returning to North Dakota State for 2026
The numbers
6
tackles · 2026
2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 4 tackles, vs Jacksonville State
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
2 linebacker for North Dakota State. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
His career, year by yearRay James Jr.
The receipt on tape: 4 tackles against Jacksonville State, Week 1, 2026.
6 TACKLES · 0 SACKS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- season totals
- game log
Career arc
HS
Recruit
—
CFB
College
North Dakota State
NFL
NFL Draft
—
2026 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
2026North Dakota State3-0HC: Tim Polasek · Run-heavy
Where this defender ranks vs the field
Box-score production percentiles vs the position cohort
Concern: tackles (0th percentile).
Box-score production (6)
Percentiles are versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score production. There are no play-by-play efficiency bars here: CFBD's play-value model credits offensive players only, so no defensive EPA exists to rank.
Splits & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 3.0 TKL/g, 0.0 TFL/g, 0.0 SACK/g, 0.0 PD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Tim Polasek
Pass share
37.7%
72 pass / 119 run
Plays / game
63.7
3 games
Team sack rate
6.0%
84 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-heavy.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
Backup
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Career stats
| Season | Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | North Dakota State | 6 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| Career | 6 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
Game log
How he plays
2026 Outlook
North Dakota State
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Linebacker · North Dakota State
Returning around him
- 2 North Dakota State players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -4 net (3 in / 7 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
North Dakota State · Last season: 12-1 · Talent rank #131 · 2026 recruiting class #117
Background
* 2024 MVFC Honor Roll 2025 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Played in four games against The Citadel, Tennessee State, Southeast Missouri State and Indiana State...Recorded eight tackles on the season, including a career-high four stops at The Citadel...Also registered a quarterback hurry in the same game. 20...
The linebacker corps · North Dakota State
- #42Alex Elliott3 games · 2026
- #1Donovan Woolen3 games · 2026
- #52Keith Williams3 games · 2026
- #21Noah Taylor3 games · 2026
- #25Ray James Jr.2 games · 2026
10 more on the roster · North Dakota State team page
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology