Interview: 2019 Houston WR Chase Lane Talks Commitment to Texas A&M Aggies
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Texas A&M college football fans living in the Houston area are in for a rare high school football treat over the next two seasons. Two of the Lone Star State’s best in the 2019 recruiting class are now paired together at St. Pius X High School. The pairing of dynamic wide receiver Chase Lane with gunslinger Grant Gunnell means trouble for opposing defenses. The duo, as announced publicly on Monday, also form the foundation of the Aggies’ 2019 recruiting class being the first two verbal commits giving A&M fans a glimpse into a prolific future on the field in College Station.
The Aggies are off to a hot start to their 2018 class with nine verbal commitments comprising five- four-star recruits and four- three-star prospects. The 2019 class may not fill up as quickly with two years left to go, but having a four-star quarterback like Grant Gunnell to build around and a growing three-star talent in Chase Lane is an offensive coordinator’s and head coach’s dream. Lane, playing for College Park High School in 2016, pulled in 42 passes for 415 yards with four scores and carried the rock for 47 yards and a touchdown. Displaying his speed in the open field, on special teams he returned nine kickoffs for 134 yards and took back six punts for another 82 yards.
As of June 1, Lane is now officially part of St. Pius X High School. The Panthers posted an 11-1 record in 2016 with their now 6-6, 212 pound, pro-style quarterback filling up the stat sheet with 4,970 yards and 71 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions on 271-of-387 passing. St. Pius X will sling the ball around the yard in 2017 and Gunnell and Lane will be one of the deadliest offensive duos in Texas. The best friends off the field not only committed to one another to play together at the next level but also committed to helping make Texas A&M one of the nation’s best football programs for years to come. The one twist to their pledge, they have been silent commitments for a couple of weeks now.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Lane after his commitment to the Aggies to get an inside scoop on how A&M landed the duo.
Interview
Chase, last time we talked you had just attended one of Texas A&M’s Junior Days and loved it. The staff was recruiting both you and Grant. Jump to a couple of months later and the two of you are verbally committed to A&M. What influenced the two of you to commit now?
“Grant and I talked a week or so prior to our visit. He said he was committing. A&M has been my dream school. With Grant committing, he is my best friend, that helped convinced me to go ahead and commit.”
What got you excited about Texas A&M’s program?
“I’m about tradition. Texas A&M is known for their tradition. If I was not playing football, I would still go to school there. Their academic programs are excellent.”
How did the commitment take place?
“Grant and I went up there on Monday for quarterback/wide receiver camp. We were warming up on the field and did it then. Coach (Noel) Mazzone (offensive coordinator) already knew we were committed. We called Coach (Kevin) Sumlin (head coach) from his phone and let him know.”
How and when did Coach Mazzone know the two of you were committed?
“I called Mazzone two weeks ago and let him know Grant and I were committing.”
What did Coach Mazzone say then when you committed?
“He was excited. We are the first two commits for our class. He said ‘we are starting off right with a bang’.”
What was the reaction of Coach Sumlin when you guys told him?
“He had no clue. He got really excited. He was happy.”
How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed to Coach Mazzone?
“I was kind of nervous but I felt satisfied. I am happy to shut down my recruiting and focus on football and academics.”
How about when you told Coach Sumlin you were committing, how did you feel then?
“I was nervous when I told Coach Sumlin. I wanted to make a good first impression. That was my first time talking to him.”
How many offers do you have?
“Just Texas A&M (May 10).”
All you need is one.
(Laughs) “You’re right.”
You were up there yesterday for a camp, how did the camp go for you?
“It was fun. Grant and I did not stay the whole time. We were there for about an hour running routes and working together. We mostly just observed.”
What all have you been working on this spring getting ready for your junior year?
“My footwork and bulking up. I’ve been in the weight room more. I’ve been working on my speed and craft this off-season.”
What is your height and weight now?
“I’m 6-1.25 and 186 pounds.”
Last time we talked you had a laser-timed personal best in the 40-yard dash of 4.43. Have you run a 40 this spring?
“No, sir.”
Are you going to any other college camps or exposure camps this summer?
“I was signed up for some college camps but now that I am committed I doubt I will go. I am going to a Dieon Sanders exposure camp in July. That is the only showcase camp I am going to this summer.”
The focus for you and Grant now shifts to helping recruit guys to join you. Are you already talking to guys about getting onboard?
“Yes, sir. We are hitting up guys in our class and in the 2018 class. We’ve been talking to Oak Ridge defensive end Joseph Ossai, athlete Jordan Whittington (Cuero High School – 2019) receiver Joshua Moore (Yoaum High School), and Kenyon Green (Atascocita High School – 2019) – a bunch of guys from the Houston area and throughout Texas.”
Last question, how did your track season end up?
“I made it to the regionals in the 200 and we made it to the regionals in the 4×4. I ran a 21.6 in regionals but did not make state. The kids in state are smoking fast. In the 4×4 regional I ran a 47-flat. That was my personal best.”
Chase, thanks for your time today and congratulations on your commitment to Texas A&M.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Lane family; Chase Lane at Texas A&M
Photo credit: Twitter; Chase Lane’s Texas A&M statement.