Viks' James to join Huskies

Yes, the chance to play football at the Pac-12 level was appealing to Coeur d'Alene High senior lineman Matt James.

But a bigger carrot for James, who verbally committed to play for the University of Washington in 2014 on Tuesday, might have been the chance to follow his father, a doctor, into the medical profession - perhaps as a biomedical engineer.

"The academics - the Huskies are the place to go for nanotechnology," said James, who can sign his letter of intent in February.

Nanotechnology, according to Wikipedia, "is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale."

James, also a standout wrestler, plays left tackle and nose guard or defensive end for Coeur d'Alene. He said the Huskies are looking at him as either an offensive or defensive lineman.

James had offers from 13 schools, saying the final decision came down between Washington, Arizona State, Boise State and Idaho. He also had offers from Army, Air Force, Utah State, Northern Colorado, Weber State, Idaho State, California, Washington State and Montana.

"Matt is a kid that has definitely earned everything he's given," Coeur d'Alene High coach Shawn Amos said. "He's hardworking, a great student. His parents raised him right, and when you do the right thing, good things happen."

James, listed at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds last fall, beefed up to 275 in the offseason with a mixture of eating and weightlifting.

"He's always been a very good lineman," Amos said. "He was a little bit skinny for everyone to start with. He put on some weight, and when he did that, everybody came calling."

At Washington, James will join tight end Chase Blakley, a fellow Coeur d'Alene High senior who committed to the Huskies in May.

Amos said his son, senior quarterback Gunnar Amos, has offers from Idaho, Army, Weber State and Idaho State, and plans to take his official visits this fall and winter before making his decision.

High coach Shawn Amos said. "He's hardworking, a great student. His parents raised him right, and when you do the right thing, good things happen."

James, listed at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds last fall, beefed up to 275 in the offseason with a mixture of eating and weightlifting.

"He's always been a very good lineman," Amos said. "He was a little bit skinny for everyone to start with. He put on some weight, and when he did that, everybody came calling."

At Washington, James will join tight end Chase Blakley, a fellow Coeur d'Alene High senior who committed to the Huskies in May.

Amos said his son, senior quarterback Gunnar Amos, has offers from Idaho, Army, Weber State and Idaho State, and plans to take his official visits this fall and winter before making his decision.