Commitment Profile: Jehu Chesson

Name: Jehu Chesson

Location: Ladue, MO

Position: WR

Ratings: ESPN – 3* (79), Scout – 3*, 247 Sports - 3*

Recruitment: Chesson was a Michigan visitor in summer and came away impressed, but we didn’t hear too much about him until his official visit to UM for the Ohio State game. He was rumoured to be very high on Michigan after that game, but kept his word to visit Iowa a couple weeks later. The Hawkeyes visit was good, but not good enough to leapfrog UM, so he committed to the Wolverines a few days later. Northwestern was also in the final three.

Offers: Michigan, Iowa, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Illinois, Missouri, UCLA, plus non BCS offers.

Stats: Currently stands at 6’2.5 and around 180lbs, with no reported 40 yard dash time (he’s probably a 4.4 – 4.5 guy). As a junior he racked up 605 yard receiving with 11 TDs. (Snr year stats to follow)

ESPN Analysis: Chesson has good size to go along with some surprising strength and decent speed. Can play either slot or wideout, and gets off the LOS and into his routes quickly and smoothly. He can be a vertical threat with his speed and height, but we’re not convinced he has elite speed to burn the better corners at the college level.

One of his best assets is his ability to adjust to the ball and make spectacular grabs. He can really bail out a QB if the throw is off target, often making acrobatic catches in traffic. He needs to improve his intermediate routes, but does well on option routes against zone coverage.

Overall is a good BCS caliber prospect who could develop into a top receiver given his upside (height, decent speed, good hands).

Improvements: Route running is something to be worked on, as he apparently drifts on hitches and curls.

Film Highlights: Link here.

Final Thoughts: With Chesson’s commitment, Michigan now has their two wide receivers for this class; and both are guys that might not have elite ratings, but both posses good upside. For those who are moaning about why we don’t get elite WR prospects, just remember that Justin Blackmon came to OKST a similar size to both our current commit, AND he was rated lower! Just something to keep in mind!

At Michigan, Chesson will certainly get his chance to play early because Michigan lacks WR depth, and it’s a relatively easy position to play as a freshman, as long as you know how to block! 

As for the rest of the class, this won’t have a great effect, because we’ve forecasted this for a while now, and so to have the Michigan coaches (I’m guessing?). It does mean that Monty Madaris won’t visit though. UM shouldn’t take another WR unless Dorial Green Beckham comes calling, and the odds of that happening are 0.000000000000000000001%