One Friend's Opinion of How LaMichael James Will Play Today

If you're wondering how star running back LaMichael James will play this afternoon when undefeated Oregon plays Arizona at Autzen Stadium, you're not alone.

After our story this week about the recently concluded NCAA probe into where James got a 2003 Range Rover, Oregon Coach Chip Kelly and the UO Athletic Department were quick to react to those reports—with Kelly assuring reporters after practice Wednesday that the NCAA investigation of a Heisman contender was a "non-story."

We asked Pernell Brown, a family friend who says he's like an "uncle" to James (and who says he provided James with the Range Rover as a favor), whether the media attention would affect James' performance on the field today.

Brown told WW he repeatedly assured James—who was limited in practice this week due to injury—not to worry about the NCAA investigation. And he's certain James will be unaffected today.

"It wasn't too much of a big deal for him, because he knows he never did anything wrong," says Brown, a Portland gang-outreach worker. "He's a smart dude. He knows he isn't in any trouble."