NFL DRAFT: DAY 3 James agrees to free-agent deal with Packers

COEUR d’ALENE — Josh James had nearly a dozen NFL teams interested in bringing him in as an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft, which concluded Saturday.

But he opted for familiarity when he agreed to attend the Green Bay Packers’ rookie/free-agent camp this weekend.

James, a former Coeur d’Alene High standout and, more recently, a four-year starter at left tackle at NAIA Carroll College in Helena, Mont., had been brought in last month by the Packers for a visit, prior to the seven-round NFL draft which began Thursday, and got to meet their coaches.

“What really sold it was their coaches,” said James, who watched the draft at his parents’ house. “(Offensive line) Coach (James) Campen was a great guy.”

James, still finishing up work on his civil engineering degree at Carroll, is scheduled to leave for Green Bay on Thursday.

“I’m extremely excited to be given this opportunity,” said James, who went to Carroll as a walk-on before earning a scholarship during his redshirt season. “Now I’ve got to prove them right.”

James, an American Football Coaches Association NAIA first-team All-America selection as a senior last fall, said of the other teams that contacted him and his agent, Derrick Fox, the Seahawks, Falcons and Colts showed the most interest.

The last local player to be invited to an NFL camp is believed to be former Lakeland High and Carroll College tight end Bubba Bartlett, who went to camp with the Houston Texans in 2011.