Missouri DB on Auburn’s D.J. James: He’s been locking down receivers since high school

Missouri’s Kris Abrams-Draine and Auburn’s D.J. James are expected to be two of the better defensive backs in the Southeastern Conference this fall.
But who was better in high school?
They both played for coach Ben Blackmon at Spanish Fort, a four-time state championship program in Baldwin County, Ala.
Abrams-Draine laughed when asked the question at SEC Media Days on Monday, then followed with the answer.
“Me,” he said. “… because I played everything. I just didn’t play defense.”
James was a first-team All-State defensive back as a senior at Spanish Fort in 2018. He signed with Oregon out of high school before transferring to Auburn prior to the 2022 season.
Abrams-Draine was a first-team All-State athlete the following year. He led the Toros on an improbable playoff run all the way to the Class 6A state title game while starting at quarterback and defensive back. He signed with Missouri, playing five games at wide receiver as a freshman before transitioning to defensive back.
Blackmon, now the head coach at Class 7A Enterprise, was asked the same question as Abrams-Draine in a phone interview Monday afternoon.
“You are putting me in a bad spot,” he joked. “I think they were both phenomenal athletes and obviously still are.”
On Monday in Nashville, Abrams-Draine talked about his relationship with James.
“D.J. is like my best friend, but he has been locking down receivers since high school,” he said. “When I changed to DB, I asked him a lot of questions because I knew he would lead me in the right way. He’s a great person, too.”
Abrams-Draine said James has “perfect” technique.
“He is patient on his back pedal, and he is a natural,” he said. “He is a natural cornerback.”
Abrams-Draine started 12 games for Missouri at cornerback a year ago and also made appearances as a return specialist. He finished the season with 48 tackles and 14 pass breakups, second most in the SEC.
“I really thought he would be more of an offensive player in college because he did so much for us offensively,” Blackmon said. “He was spectacular with ball in hands. He goes to Missouri and, early on, returns a kickoff 100 yards. Then they put him at corner, and he’s had a great career over there as well.”
In his first year at Auburn last season, James posted 38 tackles, including 25 solo stops. He also returned an interception for a touchdown against Western Kentucky and finished with eight pass breakups on the season.
It was no surprise to Blackmon.
“We knew DJ was going to be special,” he said. “He had great coverage skills when he was in high school. He had really good ball skills. We watched him go out West and do his thing and then coming back to Auburn. He absolutely loves Auburn and loves Auburn football. Most people agree the SEC is the best league with the best receivers, so this gives him a chance to play against the best.”