Marcus James is a linebacker from Oklahoma City who attended Carl Albert High School, where he earned consensus three-star status and was ranked among the nation's top outside linebackers by major recruiting services. As a senior in 2024, he recorded 67 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks across eight games, while also catching five passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. James helped Carl Albert win three consecutive Class 5A state titles from 2022 through 2024. He enrolled at Oklahoma in June 2025 as a biology major and redshirted during the 2025 season, appearing once versus Kent State on October 4.