Former Spanish Fort Toro and current Auburn Tiger cornerback DJ James was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl along with four of his teammates earlier this month.

Interim head coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams surprised the five Tigers with a Gatorade bath of Reese’s after practice Thursday, Nov. 10.

James was joined by Derick Hall, Eku Leota, Owen Pappoe and Nehemiah Pritchett in receiving an invitation to the longest continuously-running college all-star game. The upcoming Senior Bowl is set for Feb. 4, 2023, at 1 p.m. in Mobile’s Hancock Whitney Stadium.

After James graduated from Spanish Fort High School in 2019, he originally took his talents to the University of Oregon over offers from Mississippi State, Nebraska and Ole Miss, as well as a last-minute one from Alabama. Over three seasons with the Ducks, James played in 25 games and racked up 72 total tackles between 53 solos and 19 assists to go along with six pass breakups.

Before the 2022 season, James transferred back to his home state and joined the Auburn squad where he’s collected 34 total tackles in 11 games to go along with a career-high eight pass breakups. This past Saturday, James not only recorded his first collegiate interception but also returned it 27 yards for a touchdown against Western Kentucky.

His eight passes defended had James tied for seventh in the Southeastern Conference with teammate Nehemiah Pritchett as well as Emmanuel Forbes from Mississippi State, Marcellas Dial from South Carolina and Terrion Arnold from Alabama.

The Tigers will bring their 2-5 SEC record on the road this Saturday for the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa at 2:30 p.m. where the Alabama Crimson Tide will enter 5-2 in the conference.