Major: Education (1999)

Weight: 245 (1998-99)

1999 Media Guide: James Cotton is the only junior college transfer on the Buckeyes squad, now that NFL-bound Joe Germaine and Mark Garcia have exhausted their eligibility. Cotton may be bound for that same road. An imposing, physical athlete, he went through spring drills as a linebacker, but was moved to defensive end the last week. He then played at end all last fall and played well – recording 16 tackles and three pass break ups – for his first year in the program. Ends coach Shawn Simms said “we now know James can make plays. He has exceptional speed and strength for a defensive end and he can be a dominating force.”

1998: Played all 12 games. With terrific speed, was frequently seen chasing down running backs off the line of scrimmage. Huge fumble-forcing hit at Illinois was returned by Na’il Diggs for a touchdown in the Buckeyes’ rout.

Personal: Transferred to Ohio State from Community College of San Francisco in January of 1998. A two-time all-California JUCO selection who was a JUCO All-America in 1997 after recording 100 tackles and eight quarterback sacks. The son of Catherine Cotton and James Graham. Born Nov. 7, 1976.