T
arleton has three former lettermen who are currently playing in the National Football League – James Dearth of the New York Jets is the first. Dearth was a sixth-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns in 1999 and appeared in two games for the Browns. He spent the 2000 season on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad before signing a free agent contract with the Jets and playing in every game during the 2001 season.
Dearth, who served the last seven seasons as the Jets’ starting deep snapper and backup tight end, has played in 128 consecutive regular season NFL games. He hauled in the first touchdown reception of his NFL career in 2001 in a 15-14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Listed by the Jets as 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, Dearth played at Tarleton from 1996-98, tallying 77 catches for 992 yards and nine TDs in three seasons. He actually started at quarterback in the Texans’ opening game in 1996 before moving to tight end, where he twice was named first team All-LSC South Division and second team NCAA Division II All-America.
Dearth, a native of Scurry, Texas, was named the 1998 LSC South Offensive Lineman of the Year as he finished his senior season with 19 catches for 333 yards in the final four games. He also earned All-America honors in the shot put in 1998 while competing for Tarleton’s track and field team.
In 2011, the New England Patriots signed Dearth to a contract.
James Dearth at Tarleton
1996 - 3 catches, 36 yards, 0 TDs; 1 of 2 passing, 6 yards
1997 - 43 catches, 528 yards, 6 TDs; 1st team All-LSC South; 1st team All-West Region; 2nd team All-America
1998 - 31 catches, 428 yards, 3 TDs; LSC South Off. Line of Yr.; 1st All-LSC South; 1st All-West Region; 2nd All-America
