James Nesta

Photo by: OUFB/JOHN BAKER

Position:
LB
Height:
6-4
Weight:
205
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Huntersville, N.C.
High School:
William Amos Hough HS

A four-star prospect by On3 and a three-star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … rated the No. 269 player in the nation by On3 … touted as the No. 29 edge in the class by On3, the No. 32 weakside defensive end by Rivals, the No. 32 linebacker by 247Sports and the No. 45 outside linebacker by ESPN … regarded as the No. 11 prospect in North Carolina by 247Sports, No. 13 by On3, No. 16 by ESPN and No. 19 by Rivals … named one of WSOC-TV’s Big 22 Players to Watch prior to the 2023 season … earned Queen City 3A/4A all-conference honors in 2023 … registered 36 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception and three QB hurries in 2023 to help lead William Amos Hough to an 11-2 record and a district title with a 7-0 mark … a 2022 N.C. sportswriters’ all-state team honorable mention selection as a junior … notched 41 tackles, 13 TFLs, nine sacks a forced fumble and a fumble recovery as a junior in 2022 as his team finished 11-3 and reached the fourth round of the North Carolina Class 4A playoffs … also a standout pitcher and outfielder who plans to play baseball for the Sooners … chose OU over Miami (Fla.), North Carolina, Tennessee, USC and others.