Interview: 3-Star 2022 Arkansas OL Chase Jessup Dominated on His Way to All-State Honors
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
One thing no one wants to see is a 6-4, 290-pound, moving wall that has quick feet like a receiver coming full speed with a nasty attitude. For 6A Arkansas defenders lining up against Lake Hamilton, the 2020 season was no fun. Chase Jessup was in the kitchen serving up pancakes on his way to All-County, All-Conference, and All-State honors playing in the trenches for the Wolves. The talents displayed on the field have brought in three offers already with interest building.
In an RNG detailed confab, Jessup covers ground on his dominating performance during his junior campaign with an update on his developing recruiting process.
Interview
Chase, can you put into words the feeling and/or satisfaction of crunching an end, linebacker, or defensive back when you are pulling from your guard spot?
It really feels good. I am an offensive lineman. My job is to make holes for my running back and to protect my quarterback. A pancake is satisfying to me. If I get one, that means my running back and quarterback can do their job and then we can win.
Did you track your pancakes or knockdowns?
I am not 100 percent sure how many pancakes or knockdowns I had.
Me putting you on the spot. If you had to guess, about how many per game were you getting?
The difference between the pancake and knockdown is knocking them down verses falling on them. A true pancake, about three to four a game with five to six knockdowns.
I believe that. Because you move so well, the coaches at Lake Hamilton were able to do a lot with you, like having you pull. Do you play any other sports like basketball to help you with that footspeed and agility?
I do play basketball. I am starting on the varsity team.
How is the basketball season going for you?
It started back in November, but I was in football going through the state championship then. Our conference games started a couple of weeks ago.
Do you have an idea of what you are averaging on the hardwood?
I think I am averaging 8 to 10 points a game, 10 to 11 rebounds per game, but I am not sure on my assists. My coach told me I was second on the team in assists.
How has playing basketball helped you with your footwork on the gridiron?
I think it has made me more agile and elusive. Basketball is more running, cardio, and you have to be more athletic. It has helped me with my agility and mobility.
We know you like to get nasty finishing blocks, what are some of your other strengths in the trenches?
I feel like my technique is getting better and better each year. This year I improved on my pad level, my quick hands and quick feet to the point of attack. All of that has gotten much better.
What is a typical weightlifting session like for Chase?
Right now, during basketball season, I am lifting four times a week. I am doing some upper body and lower body. I try to get in two workouts a day, sometimes three if we have no practices. This offseason I am focusing on getting stronger and faster working as hard as I can.
Throughout the offseason, which areas of your game are you going to focus on before your senior season?
My focus is on my explosiveness and hip power. I’d like to get even lower with my pad level; the lowest man wins. My balance is another thing I am working on. If I improve my balance, I can get myself out of bad situations like if I am caught leaning forward. With better balance, I can recover from that.
You got some snaps in on defense during the 2020 season, will we see more of you on the defensive side of the ball in 2021?
I will do whatever my coaches need me to do. Our goal is to win state, not just to get to the state title game. I love football and I love to win. Whatever the team needs me to do I will do.
*Jessup had six tackles, a tackle for a loss and a sack in 2020
Let’s get into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest after the big season turned in?
The ones showing interest are teams like Memphis, Arkansas State, Air Force, Naval Academy texted me a couple of days ago, Princeton, and Arkansas. The offensive line and special teams coaches from Arkansas have contacted me multiple times as well.
How many offers have been given to you?
Three; Kansas, Vanderbilt, and UCA (Central Arkansas).
Which program was the first to offer?
Kansas
Receiving the Kansas offer, what was that moment like for you?
I broke down a bit and teared up. When I got it, I thought of all the hard work I had put in over the years. I was happy that it had all paid off with an offer to a Power Five school.
Are there any visits you may take coming up?
I am definitely going to check out Kansas, because they believed in me first and gave me my first offer. Vanderbilt would be a great school to go look at. Whichever team is showing interest and wants me, that is a team I want to go visit.
Chase, it was a lot of fun learning more about your and your skills today. Appreciate your time and wish you success with the rest of your basketball season.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Tommy Land/Jessup family; Chase Jessup