James Bagnell: The Grandson Of Legendary Reds Bagnell Is Carving His Own Path
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) — There is a certain sagacity in James Bagnell's husky voice that makes him sound older than 16. The Episcopal Academy sophomore two-way lineman is huge, at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds and he wears a size 15 shoe—at the moment. The last two years he's grown five inches and put on 90 pounds. He's going through clothes left and right while creating a stage of his own, in the looming shadow of a very famous grandfather that regrettably James never had the chance to meet.
James is the grandson of all-time Penn great and all-time college football great Reds Bagnell, who finished third in the 1950 Heisman Trophy voting and still holds many Penn records today. Reds, who died in July 1995, will be forever remembered for one magical Saturday, Oct. 14, 1950, when he decimated Dartmouth in a 46-26 victory at Franklin Field, amassing 490 yards of total offense—276 passing and 214 running—establishing the single-game collegiate record for total yardage for total yardage at the time, which still stand at Penn, including completing 14-straight passes.
James, whose parents have to go online to shop for him, is fitting into his new body and this new level of football, as a high school varsity starter. James became first aware of his grandfather when he was 5, and as James has grown older he's discovered how great he was.
"People used to come up to me all of the time and tell me about my grandfather, and it's really cool how he touched a lot of people's lives," said James, Episcopal's starting right offensive guard and nose tackle on defense. "My one regret is that I really wish I could have met him. I am pretty proud of the fact that I carry his name. He was an important person who knew a lot of important people. It really is pretty neat to me, and I embrace it. But I want to be myself and it's awesome to hear all of the great stories about me. I do want to make a name for myself and I kind of want to make my own story."
James has been thrown in fast this year. The Churchmen are a fairly young team with an inexperienced offensive line. The biggest adjustment for James has been getting used to playing at the faster pace of the varsity level. Episcopal coach Todd Fairlie says James could be another Michael McGlinchey, the former all-area Penn Charter standout who now is the starting right tackle at Notre Dame and a possible future first-round NFL draft pick.
It took some time, but James is developing an edge on the field. When he first began playing, James was so much larger than everyone else he played against that he held back in fear of seriously hurting the other kids. Now it's open season, going against older more experienced high school varsity players.
"I have no problem saying this as my son, but James is the sweetest, nicest kid that you will ever meet and he's starting to develop that edge on the football," said Bill Bagnell, James' father and one of Reds' two children. "James was raised not to lay into a kid when he was younger. The other thing, too, is James is still growing into his body. A year ago, he looked like Bambi on ice. He's working at it, and he knows it's about improving his footwork. James also knows everything about my dad and his legend playing at Penn. The football gene skipped me, but James really loves the game and as my father would always say, football was always good to him.
"James asks me questions about my dad all of the time. One thing about my father is that he worked hard for everything he ever got. He got an education at Penn. He graduated Wharton. When I was a kid growing up, my uncles were Uncle John, Johnny Lujack, Uncle Alan, Alan Ameche, Uncle Bill, Billy Vessels and Uncle Glenn, Glenn Davis. Real greats of the game and being around them was amazing. I just smile thinking back at that time. James thinks it's cool watching the old films of guys playing without facemasks. James wants to play in college and we'll see where it goes. The most important thing is that James does love the game."
James is finding his inner beast.
"I did hold back when I was younger because I was afraid I would hurt someone," admitted James, who is highly articulate for someone his age. "I think that mentality really held me back until now. I want to try to get out of that attitude. I used to be careful when I played when I was younger. I am starting to break out of that. The first time I started to raise my intensity when I first got hit playing on the varsity."
James is just a sophomore, but he's stature is growing and will continue growing college wise. His size will surely attract big-time attention. His parents are TCU graduates, and James likes the South and would like to find a good college football program with strong academics.
"I think that one thing I've learned being on the varsity is that you're part of a team and it begins in the weight room, everyone working together. I really like that aspect of the game," James said. "I want to get better at everything every single day and I know the name I carry. I don't mind being called the grandson of a legend. It has a nice ring to it."
CBS Philly's Area Top 10 Power Ratings For Nov. 6, 2015
1. St. Joe's Prep (Record: 6-2)
2. Imhotep Charter (Record: 9-0)
3. Upper Dublin (Record: 9-0)
4. Archbishop Wood (Record: 9-0)
5. Downingtown West (Record: 9-0)
6. Haverford School (Record: 8-0)
7. St. Augustine (Record: 8-0)
8. Downingtown East (Record: 9-0)
9. Camden Catholic (Record: 8-0)
10. La Salle (Record: 5-3)
Southeastern PA Top 10 Power Ratings For Nov. 6, 2015
1. St. Joe's Prep (Record: 6-2)
2. Imhotep Charter (Record: 8-0)
3. Upper Dublin (Record: 9-0)
4. Archbishop Wood (Record: 9-0)
5. Downingtown West (Record: 9-0)
6. Haverford School (Record: 8-0)
7. Downingtown East (Record: 9-0)
8. La Salle (Record: 5-3)
9. Perkiomen Valley (Record: 9-0)
10. North Penn (Record: 7-2)
DISTRICT 1 FOOTBALL PLAYOFF-POINT RANKINGS
CLASS AAAA
Rk. Team Rec. Avg.
1. Downingtown East (9-0) 140.00
2. Downingtown West (9-0) 136.67
3. Upper Dublin (9-0) 133.33
4. Unionville (7-2) 125.56
T5. Haverford High (8-1) 124.44
T5. Quakertown (8-1) 124.44
T7. Perkiomen Valley (9-0) 123.33
T7. Spring-Ford (9-0) 123.33
9. North Penn (7-2) 123.33
10. Pennsbury (7-2) 120.00
11. Upper Darby (8-1) 118.89
12. C. B. East (7-2) 118.89
13. Council Rock North (6-3) 117.78
T14. Garnet Valley (7-2) 116.67
T14. Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-2) 116.67
16. Pennridge (6-3) 112.22
CLASS AAA
1. Academy Park (9-0) 132.22
2. Upper Moreland (7-2) 121.11
3. Pottstown (7-2) 116.67
4. Interboro (8-1) 115.56
5. Pottsgrove (6-3) 115.56
6. Great Valley (7-2) 114.44
7. Marple Newtown (7-2) 113.33
8. Springfield (Delco) (5-4) 104.44
CLASS AA
1. New Hope-Solebury (9-0) 120.00
2. Springfield (Montco) (3-5) 91.25
3. Bristol (4-5) 83.33
4. Lower Moreland (2-7) 62.22
5. Valley Forge (1-7) 52.50
CLASS A
1. Delco Christian (8-1) 121.11
2. Jenkintown (5-4) 100.00
3. Bishop McDevitt (3-6) 84.44
4. Calvary Christian (2-6) 78.75
5. KIPP DuBois (2-6) 70.00
6. Morrisville (2-7) 63.33
