A 1966 graduate of Deshler High School, Jim lettered three years for the Tigers in baseball and football. He was outstanding in both sports as he played in the East-West All-Star Baseball Game in both the 1965 and 1966 season as well as being selected on the All-State 3A Football Team by the Associated Press, Birmingham News and the Birmingham Post-Herald during his senior campaign. He played end on Deshler's 1965 team coached by Buddy Moore that went 9--0-1 and was ranked third in the final 3A State Football Poll by the AP. Jim was chosen the Alabama Player of the Week after catching 5 passes for 105 yards including two touchdowns in Deshler's win over Athens, capturing the Tennessee Valley Conference Crown. During the 1965 season he had 48 receptions for 785 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jim also played in the North-South All-Star Game and caught the winning touchdown pass for the North team.