Norman North sophomore Mason James making most of shift to wide receiver

James makes key catches during Timberwolves' shutout win against crosstown rival Norman

NORMAN, Oklahoma - As a freshman at Norman North, Mason James made his name on the defensive side of the ball. 

He started at cornerback and helped the Timberwolves to a postseason berth.

However, instead of coming into his sophomore year with the intent of being one of the top defensive backs in the state, James and the North coaching staff had other ideas. The 6-foot, 160-pound athlete was moved to the other side of the ball.

Oklahoma high school football: Here are the top receivers/tight ends for the 2023 season 

Now, instead of being asked to slow down the top wideouts in the state, James is being asked to be one for the Timberwolves.

“To be honest, I like getting the ball,” James said. “I like playing receiver. I think I can make more plays.

"I'm a really explosive player, so I think that works.”

James got his first chance to show off his new position Thursday when Norman North opened their season with a 21-0 win against rival Norman High at Memorial Stadium on the University of Oklahoma campus.

In a game that was short on explosive plays on the offensive side, it was James who provided the fireworks with a couple of deep catches downfield to set his team up in prime scoring position.

“It feels great. It feels great to see my team succeed,” James said. “I think my quarterback played a big part in that and my defensive and my offensive line. So yeah, it feels really good doing that stuff.”

When North quarterback Owen Eshelman needed to go downfield, it was James who got the most attention. When the Tigers tried to defend James in man coverage, he was able to use his athletic ability to just go up and get the rock or force the defense into a pass interference penalty.

James knows Eshelman trusts him to go up and make a play if he puts it up in the air.

“I feel like that's the chemistry that me and him have made through practice and stuff and staying after and putting in after work,” James said. “I think that's a big part of it.”

Norman North receiver Mason James (left) lines up against Norman in the two teams' "Crosstown Clash" on Aug. 31, 2023

James also had the confidence of the North coaching staff.

“Mason's our most electric football player. Bar none, when you look at him and the things that he can do for us with the ball in his hands,” said Norman North coach Justin Jones. “And there's a lot of things we didn't show (Thursday) even with him. And so, I think for us it's just picking and choosing when we want to use that.

"But Mason's a big-time weapon for us and we're going to continue to utilize him. It's hard to believe he's only a sophomore.”

Vote now: Who should be SBLive Oklahoma's high school athlete of the week?

With the Timberwolves losing almost their entire offense from last season, James is going to be counted on to be the big playmaker going forward.

Which is something he is fine with.

“I honestly just want to see myself make all the catches that come to me and honestly, just get some more yards,” James said. “I just want us to keep winning as a team. We're going to take it game by game and hopefully, make the playoffs.”