James Cowser

James Cowser
James Cowser in 2019
Weber State Wildcats
TitleDefensive ends coach
Personal information
Born (1990-09-13) September 13, 1990 (age 36)
Fruit Heights, Utah, U.S.
Listed height
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight
244 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High schoolDavis (Kaysville, Utah)
CollegeSouthern Utah
NFL draft2016: undrafted
Career history
Playing
Coaching
  • Weber State (2021)
    Defensive assistant
  • Weber State (2022)
    Defensive ends coach
  • Utah Tech (2023)
    Defensive line coach & tight ends coach
  • Weber State (2024–present)
    Defensive ends coach
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles32
Sacks1
Forced fumbles1
Fumble recoveries3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

James Cowser (born September 13, 1990) is an American former professional football outside linebacker and current college football coach. He is the defensive ends coach for Weber State University, a position he has held since 2024. He played college football at Southern Utah. Cowser was Football Championship Subdivision Defensive Player of the Year (2015). He held the official NCAA all-time sack record (42.5) until it was broken by Division II Slippery Rock’s Marcus Martin (56) in 2017.

Professional career

James Cowser in 2017

Cowser signed with the Oakland Raiders after going undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft. On September 3, 2016, he was waived/injured by the Raiders and placed on injured reserve. On September 10, Cowser was released from the Raiders' injured reserve. He was re–signed to the team's practice squad on October 4. Cowser was promoted to the active roster on November 26.

On September 1, 2018, Cowser was waived by the Raiders. He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 22. Cowser was promoted to the active roster on October 30. He was waived by the team on November 5, and was re-signed to the practice squad. Cowser was waived again on November 13, and later re-signed to the practice squad.

Cowser signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders on January 1, 2019. He was waived by the team during final roster cuts on August 30.

Coaching career

In the spring of 2021, Cowser joined Weber State as a defensive assistant under head coach Jay Hill. Cowser was promoted to a full-time position of defensive ends coach for the 2022 season. Following Hill's departure, Cowser joined Utah Tech as the defensive line coach and tight ends coach under head coach Paul Peterson. Following Peterson's firing, Cowser returned to Weber State, again as the defensive ends coach, this time under head coach Mickey Mental.

Personal life

Cowser served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hong Kong and Macau from 2009 to 2011.

Cowser is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and did an internship in NFL's China office in Shanghai.

References

  1. ↑ "James Cowser - Football - Southern Utah University". Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Football Championship Subdivision Records" (PDF). Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Oakland Raiders Announce Transactions". Raiders.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Raiders waive James Cowser with injury settlement". September 10, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Raiders Sign LB Perry Riley Jr.; Heeney To Reserve/Injured List". Raiders.com. October 4, 2016. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Raiders Announce Transactions". Raiders.com. November 26, 2016. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Oakland Raiders announce roster transactions - 9.1.18". Raiders.com. September 1, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Raiders Re-Sign DE James Cowser To Practice Squad". NFL Trade Rumors. October 22, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Raiders Announce Transactions - 10.30.18". Raiders.com. October 30, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Raiders sign defensive end Kony Ealy". Raiders.com. November 5, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Raiders announce transactions - 11.13.18". Raiders.com. November 13, 2018. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Raiders Return Cowser and Holton to Practice Squad". Raiders.com. November 28, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Raiders announce reserve/future signings - 1.1.19". Raiders.com. January 1, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Raiders announce transactions - 8.30.19". Raiders.com. August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  15. ↑ Allen, Trevor (February 10, 2021). "Weber State Football Moves Robert Conley To Running Backs Coach". KSL Sports. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  16. ↑ Samuels, Doug (March 28, 2022). "The Scoop - Monday March 28, 2022". Footballscoop. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Trailblazer Football Announces Staff Promotions and New Additions". Utah Tech University Athletics. March 14, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  18. ↑ "James Cowser returns to Weber State football as assistant coach". Weber State University Athletics. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Morning links: Why Utah LDS returned missionary and Oakland Raider James Cowser is hanging out with Jimmer Fredette in China". March 9, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Oakland Raider Rookie James Cowser Spoke Volumes as NFL China Intern". www.nflplayerengagement.com. Retrieved February 23, 2018.