James Folston Jr.

Photo by: Jeffrey Gamza/Pitt Athletics

Position:
DL
Class:
Redshirt Sophomore
Height:
6-3
Weight:
245
Hometown:
Cocoa, FL
High School:
Cocoa

2018: Played in all 14 games, making one start (at Wake Forest)…totaled 15 tackles on the season…twice had a season-high three stops (Syracuse and Miami).

2017: Played in all 12 games, starting the final four contests of the season at defensive end…totaled 21 tackles, two TFLs, one sack and a blocked kick…had his most productive outing in Pitt’s 31-14 victory over Virginia, posting four tackles (all solo), two TFLs, two QB hurries and a six-yard sack…also had four stops at Georgia Tech…blocked a punt in the Youngstown State opener that was returned 66 yards by teammate Jazzee Stocker to the YSU 4.

2016: Played in 12 games as a reserve defensive end to earn his second letter...had nine tackles, one TFL and a sack assist on the year...had a career-high four tackles and added a sack assist in the Pinstripe Bowl against Northwestern.

2015: Played in five games to letter in his first active season…transitioned from linebacker to defensive end in training camp…had two tackles with a TFL assist on the year.

2014: Redshirted as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Leading tackler for Florida Class 4A program Cocoa, which won the 2013 District 5 and Region 3 championships...totaled 108 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries...helped team to an 11-2 record and the semifinals of the Florida Class 4A state playoffs...Honorable Mention All-Florida Class 4A...Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) All-District 12...All-Space Coast...played under Coach John Wilkinson...selected to play in the Florida East Coast Prep Football All-Star Game and the Central Florida All-Star Game.

PERSONAL: James Edward Folston Jr., born 6/14/96, is the son of Tamela Hampton and James Folston Sr....has two sisters and one brother...father played linebacker at Louisiana-Monroe and spent eight years in the NFL, including five with the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders (1994-98) and three with the Arizona Cardinals (1999-2001)...brother, Tarean, played running back at Notre Dame...sister, Jazzmine, was a track and field athlete at FIU...earned his bachelor's degree in communication.