| James Wiggins | |
| Current Team: | Edmonton Elks |
| Number: | 16 |
| Position: | Safety |
| Birth Date: | 26 April 1997 |
| Birth Place: | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 0 |
| Weight Lb: | 205 |
| High School: | South Dade Senior (Homestead, Florida) |
| College: | Cincinnati (2016–2020) |
| Draftyear: | 2021 |
| Draftround: | 7 |
| Draftpick: | 243 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Status: | Suspended list |
| Cflstatus: | American |
| Highlights: |
|
| Statlabel1: | Tackles |
| Statlabel2: | Pass deflections |
| Statlabel3: | Interceptions |
| Pfr: | WiggJa00 |
James Wiggins (born April 26, 1997) is an American professional football safety for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Cincinnati, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Wiggins attended South Dade Senior High School in Homestead, Florida. He originally committed to the University of Miami to play college football but switched his commitment to the University of Cincinnati.[1] [2]
Wiggins played at Cincinnati from 2016 to 2020. Over the course of his college career, Wiggins was named to Bruce Feldman's college football freaks list multiple times for his outstanding athleticism.[3]
He redshirted his first year in 2016. He became a starter his sophomore year in 2018, a season in which Wiggins would have two game winning interceptions for the Bearcats. In a September win over Ohio that year, Wiggins' interception at the 1-yard line with 52 seconds left clinched a 34–30 victory. The following month at SMU, his 86-yard "Pick Six" in overtime ended UC's 26–20 win over the Mustangs.[4]
Wiggins missed the 2019 season due to a torn ACL.[5] [6] Wiggins returned from the injury in 2020 and was named an All-American by The Athletic.[7]
Wiggins was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round (243rd overall) of the 2021 NFL draft.[8] On May 20, 2021, Wiggins signed his four-year rookie contract with Arizona. He was waived on August 31, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[9] [10] He was promoted to the active roster on October 12, 2021. He was placed on injured reserve on December 4.[11]
On August 30, 2022, Wiggins was waived by the Cardinals.[12]
On September 6, 2022, Wiggins signed with the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs.[13] He was released from the practice squad on September 13, 2022.[14]
On January 10, 2023, Wiggins signed a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers.[15] Wiggins was released by Green Bay on May 15, 2023.[16]
Wiggins signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL) on May 30, 2023.[17] The Breakers folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[18]
On January 5, 2023, Wiggins was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.[19] He was released on March 10, 2024.[20]
Wiggins signed with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League on March 11, 2024. He was placed on the reserve/suspended list on May 12, 2024.[21]