2013:  GP/GS – 6/5…Ruffin re-joins the Shock for his second AFL season. In the first game of the year, Ruffin stepped into the fullback position for the first time after an injury to offensive lineman Tyrone Novikoff rendered the Shock down a true lineman and forced then fullback Samuel Tupua to step in on the offensive line. In that game, Ruffin showed tremendous athleticism by taking on a role he’d never played before in protecting the quarterback rather them chasing them down each play.

GAME RECAPS: 3/24 vs. CLE: Started at DL and played at FB…2 rushes for 5 yards, 2 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 1 QB hit … 3/31 vs. CHI: Started at DL…2 solo tackles, 2 assisted tackles … 4/5 vs. IOWA: Started at DL…No Stats … 4/12 vs. AZ:1 assisted tackle … 4/19 vs. SJS: Started at DL …No Stats… 4/27 vs. TBY: Started at DL…1 solo tackle, 2 assisted tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit … 5/4 vs. UT: … 5/11 vs. ORL: … 5/17 vs. NOLA: … 5/24 vs. SAT: … 6/1 vs. SJS: … 6/8 vs. JAX: … 6/15 vs. AZ: … 6/21 vs. UT: … 7/6 vs. TBY: … 7/13 vs. JAX: … 7/19 vs. SAT: … 7/26 vs. PIT: …

2012: James joined the Shock for his rookie season with the AFL serving as a versatile defensive lineman. Despite battling injuries and seeing limited action over the coruse of the season, James was a force when healthy. He recorded 18 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries on the season.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: In 2011, James spent time with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals and played in four preseason games. The season before in 2010, he was signed as a free agent by the Bengal’s and earned a spot on the team’s practice squad during the season. He made his debut in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010.

COLLEGE: A graduate of Northern Iowa, James earned a 2009 invite to the East-West Shrine game. During his 2008 season at UNI, James started all 15 games and registered 31 solo tackles and 10 tackles for loss on his way to earning all-American and first team all-Missouri Valley honors. In 2007, he started all 13 games and registered 52 total tackles with 3.5 sacks and was a first team all-Gateway selection. In his first season of action for Northern Iowa in 2006, James started seven games and saw action in eleven contests as he registered 26 total tackles and one sacks. He redshirted his first season on campus in 2005.