The San Francisco 49ers today announced that they have signed the following six draft picks to four-year deals: RB LaMichael James, G Joe Looney, LB Darius Fleming, S Trenton Robinson, OL Jason Slowey, and LB Cameron Johnson.
James (5-9, 195), was the 49ers second round selection (61st overall) in this year's draft out of the University of Oregon. He played in 37 games (34 starts) for the Ducks and finished his collegiate career with 5,082 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns on 771 carries. James also added 51 receptions for 586 yards and four touchdowns. He holds Oregon's career records for rushing yards (5,082), rushing touchdowns (53), total touchdowns (58) and points (348).
In 2011, James became the first two-time consensus All-America selection in school history. He led the nation, averaging 150.4 rushing yards per game and ranked second in the NCAA with 1,805 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 247 carries. The First-Team All-Pac-12 pick also caught 17 receptions for a career-high 210 yards and a touchdown.
James, a 23-year old native of New Boston, TX, attended Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana, TX, where he was an all-state selection following his junior and senior seasons. He also won the 100-meter state title, in 2006.
Looney (6-3, 309), was selected in the fourth round (117th overall) by the 49ers in this year's draft out of Wake Forest University. In each of the last two seasons, Looney graded out as the team's highest-rated offensive lineman. The three-year starter played in 48 games (41 starts) for the Demon Deacons and was selected Second-Team All-ACC, in 2011.
Looney, a 22-year old native of Lake Worth, FL, attended Lake Worth Community High School, where he earned first-team all-state honors from the Florida Sports Writers Association. He was also named First-Team All-Palm Beach County by the South Florida Sun-Sentential.
Fleming (6-2, 255), was selected by the 49ers in the fifth round (165th overall) of this year's draft out of the University of Notre Dame. A versatile athlete who played both defensive end and outside linebacker for the Fighting Irish, Fleming ranks 10th in school history in career sacks (15.0). He played in 50 games (36 starts) for the Irish, registering 158 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and seven passes defensed. Fleming was named Notre Dame's Lineman of the Year as a senior, in 2011, starting all 13 games and posting 55 tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and a blocked kick.
Fleming, a 23-year old native of Chicago, IL, attended St. Rita High School and was named first-team all-state by the Chicago Tribune, in addition to being named Second-Team All-America by Scout.com.
Robinson (5-9, 193), was the first of the 49ers two sixth-round draft picks (180th overall) in this year's draft out of Michigan State University. A First-Team All-Big Ten selection and a team captain, in 2011, Robinson helped the Spartans rank first in the Big Ten and sixth in the nation in total defense (277.4 yards/game). He played in 46 games (32 starts) during his Spartans career, registering 229 tackles, nine interceptions, two tackles for loss and 12 passes defensed.
Robinson, a 22-year old native of Bay City, MI, attended Bay City High School where he was named to* Prep Star's* All-Midwest team, as a senior. The three-year starter was also selected to The Detroit News and* Detroit Free Press *Dream Teams, in 2007.
Slowey (6-4, 305), was the second of the 49ers two sixth-round draft picks (199th overall) in this year's draft out of the Western Oregon University. He is the third football player from the Division II program to be selected in the NFL Draft.
Slowey played in 41 games (35 starts) for the Wolves and was a two-time, First-Team All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference performer (2010-11), and was named the Conference's Offensive Lineman of the Year, as a senior. He earned All-America honors from multiple outlets.
Slowey, a 23-year old native of Medford, OR, attended North Medford High School, where he earned first-team all-league honors in football, basketball and track and field.
Johnson (6-3, 268), was selected by the 49ers in the seventh round (237th overall) of this year's draft from the University of Virginia. A Third-Team All-ACC selection in 2010, Johnson appeared in 42 games (34 starts) during his four-year collegiate career for the Cavaliers. He finished his career with 130 tackles, 12.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss, while also forcing three fumbles, recovering three fumbles and tallying seven passes defensed. Johnson, a 22-year old native of Greenbelt, MD, attended Gonzaga College High School where he earned Second-Team All-Washington Catholic Football Conference honors, as a senior. He was also a standout basketball player, earning all-conference honors.
