Miami’s Lou Hedley, Mario Cristobal thankful for this Hurricane — as is the community

You’ve seen University of Miami punter Lou Hedley, a 2020 Ray Guy Award finalist and on Monday named a 2022 semifinalist, make his spectacular punts.

You’ve seen Hurricanes kicker Andres Borregales, a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, nail those field goals.

You just probably didn’t notice the red-haired Cane snapping to them both. But Clay James, a 5-11, 195-pound fifth-year player about to compete in his final regular-season game Saturday against Pittsburgh, has made his mark in many ways.

James, from Cocoa, Florida, not only is a gifted long-snapper, he’s a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, known as college football’s premier award for community service — and, as of earlier this month, a member of the UM Iron Arrow Society, considered among the highest honors that can be attained at UM.

Saturday, when the Hurricanes (5-6, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) attempt to qualify for a bowl against the Panthers (7-4, 4-3) at 8 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium (ACC Network), check out No. 58 — one of several players who will be honored on UM Senior Day.

During the start of this holiday season, UM coach Mario Cristobal and his Hurricanes are thankful for James — and he, for the Canes.

“That guy does so much for so many people,’’ Cristobal said. “He affects people in so many different ways and he’s extremely smart — super-high football IQ guy, great teammate. You don’t hear the name much, because like those positions, you typically don’t hear something till something goes wrong... But we certainly are appreciative of him and value him tremendously. Awesome member of this organization.

“Man, you couldn’t ask for a better representative.’’

Full scholarship

James, 23, on a full athletic scholarship, is one of the oldest players on the team and despite being in the background, a leader by example. He has his undergraduate degree, as well as his masters in sports administration and is working on a second graduate degree.

“I definitely plan to stay involved in the community service realm,’’ said James. “And that’s just something I want to do as a human being. I’ve always been taught if you have something to give, then you should give. In terms of my degree, sports administration...was essentially closest to what I want to do, which is coaching football. My ultimate goal is to coach football and be around guys. My community service kind of speaks to it.

“I’ve always had the urge to help people and I don’t love anything more than I love the sport of football. So, if I was able to pair those two together, then I don’t think I’d work a day in my life. That’s kind of where I’m at and what I want to do.”

The Wuerffel Trophy, according to its website, “exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society and inspire greater service in the world.’’ James’ impact has been felt throughout South Florida. He started a fundraiser to help the hungry in the Miami area, with funds going to the local Grove Outreach Food Bank. He serves on UM’s student-athlete advisory council board and is community service chair for football. He has volunteered with several organizations, including Best Buddies, Operation Christmas Child and the Lotus House. He works with elementary schools and after-care programs and has been involved with pen-pal programs in the Miami area.

This past year, James also served as a student ambassador for the Miami “It’s On Us” campaign, an outreach program that seeks to stop sexual violence on college campuses throughout the country.

Mom instilled values

“My mom taught service learning since I was pretty young, so those kind of values were instilled in me,’’ he said. “Getting here I was pleasantly surprised with how many opportunities are provided by our football team and athletics.’’

He said he got involved in helping to fight food insecurity in the “summer of 2020 when Covid hit.”

“They essentially get up at like 5 a.m. every single Saturday and pass out food to those who need it...It was really eye-opening and really rewarding getting to work with those people.’’

James said Hedley, his roommate, has been “really engaged in those areas as well...I was just really inspired by it. This is my last semester here and I just wanted to leave Miami a little better than I found it.’’

James was told that Cristobal described him as an unsung hero type who people don’t notice until something goes wrong.

‘Pretty introverted’

“Yeah, it’s a really funny position because nobody really knows who you are unless you mess up, which is pretty funny,’’ he said. “I think it’s really fitting for the type of person I am – I’m pretty introverted. I kind of put my head down and handle my business. So it’s been the perfect position for me.

“The thing I really like about long-snapping is those that are good at it [are] a testament to work ethic. It’s not something like, even kicking and punting, I personally believe there’s at least a little bit of natural ability as well as being able to work yourself and being good. But long-snapping is a position you completely teach yourself and you essentially decide how good you’re going to be based on how much you work at it. So that, coupled with the fact that it kind of fits my personality just being under the radar and handling my business is why I did it.”

In explaining his quiet type of leadership, James said “when things are needed to be said’’ he “absolutely will speak up. The good thing about being a specialist is a lot of the guys in the specialists room don’t necessarily have to be led. We have a lot of independent achievers in our room.’’

Among those achievers: Hedley.

“He’s one of the best human beings I’ve ever been around and obviously he’s a really good snapper, too,’’ Hedley said Tuesday. “His off the field stuff is amazing. He’s always running around in his own time helping out the community. Clay is an absolute stud and he’ll be missed.’’

How important is qualifying for a bowl game to James?

“It’s huge,’’ he said. “No matter how your season goes — win, lose or draw — if you qualify for a bowl game those experiences, at least the ones I’ve had, have been once in a lifetime. You get another month with your team. Especially being a fifth-year senior and this being my last semester, those extra days with the team and being a part of it are really special. It’s something I’m very hopeful we’ll accomplish.”