2021
•   Started all 14 games on the Huskie defensive line.
•   Totaled 25 tackles, 3.5 for loss with two quarterback sacks and a team-leading five hurries, broke up a pass and blocked a kick.
•   Named to the All-MAC third team defense by league coaches and by Phil Steele.
•   Made at least one tackle in 13 of 14 games.
•   Amassed a career-high five stops with half a tackle for loss in the Huskies’ overtime win at Buffalo (11-17).
•   Broke up a pass and had a half tackle for loss versus Ball State (11-10).
•   Tallied four tackles and a hurry in the victory over Toledo (10-9).
•   Recorded a sack on the second play of the game against Eastern Michigan (10-2) and had a sack versus Bowling Green (10-16).
•   Blocked Coastal Carolina’s first PAT attempt in the Cure Bowl game (12-17) and was in on a tackle for loss.
•   Credited with three assists versus Wyoming (9-11).
•   Began the season with two tackles, a solo and an assist, in the victory at Georgia Tech (9-4).
•   One of two underclassmen elected to serve as a team captain for the 2021 season.

2020
• Played in all six games in 2020, making four starts.
• Finished ninth on the team with 19 tackles, eight solo, and two tackles for loss.
• Recorded four tackles in back-to-back games against Central Michigan (11-11) and Ball State (11-18).
• Earned his first career sack against Eastern Michigan (12-12).

2019
• Played in four games during redshirt season, one of 16 true freshmen to see playing time.
• Tallied two tackles, both solo and both tackles for loss.
• Saw his first action at Nebraska (9-14), recording a tackle for loss.
• Posted his second TFL against Eastern Michigan (11-19).

High School
• Three-year letterwinner named first team All-State by the Detroit Free Press and was a first team all-conference choice.
• Named Cass Tech’s defensive MVP.
• Played both defensive line and outside linebacker during his career.
• Helped lead the Technicians to a 10-1 record and Detroit Public League championship as a senior and to the district and regional titles his junior year.
• Cass Tech was 33-4, including the 2016 state championship, during his three seasons on varsity.
• Technicians defense recorded five shutouts in 2018, including four in a row.
• Forced and recovered a fumble in Detroit PSL championships game versus Detroit King HS.
• Made 42 tackles with two forced fumbles, one recovered, an interception and a blocked kick in 2018.
• Totaled 30 tackles, 12 solo, his junior season and tallied 15 stops as a sophomore.

Personal
• Born on August 30 in Detroit, Mich.
• Son of Shelly Nevels-Ester and Craig Ester.
• Majoring in communications.

James Ester