Interview: 4-Star 2021 Georgia OLB Chaz Chambliss Gives Recruiting Update

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

For good reason, the college football universe has gone wild over the prospects of landing four-star Class of 2021 outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss. Chambliss has been a play-maker on the field since popping onto the radar in 2017 and has parlayed that success into 30 scholarship offers.

The 2017 season was the helmet cracking party for Chambliss that made the football world take notice. The Carrollton High School star put down 97 ball carries with 25.5 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, broke up four passes and forced two fumbles while picking up two. His sophomore season was much the same, even with teams scheming against him, tallying 67 stops with 22.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries.

With college football staffs across the country watching, the 6-3, 240-pound, defender turned in another All-Star worthy performance as a junior producing an estimated stat line of 87 tackles, 58 solo, with 25.5 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks, 14 QB hurries, three passes batted away, and picked up a loose pigskin. The honors rolled in earning All-State, Regional Defensive Player of the Year, and additional All-State placements courtesy of MaxPreps and USA Today. The impressive 12-1 season for the Trojans got a scare late in the regular season when Chambliss suffered a meniscus injury. But the tough as nails talent was back on the field within three weeks leading his team on a Georgia 5A Playoff run.

In an RNG update interview, Chambliss runs down his recruiting options and covers his offseason workouts.

*Click link for RNG’s regular season interview with Chaz Chambliss

Interview

Chaz, we last spoke towards the end of your junior season before the playoff run began. How did the playoffs go for you personally in 2019?

“I played in two of the three playoff games. In my first one, I did not practice that week. It was a trial run. In the last two games, we were in a zone going against power run teams. We had to adapt. We saw a lot of Spread offenses during the season. We had gap responsibilities in those games; that helped further my knowledge in those games.”

Your play is at an elite level, what was it like getting to butt heads against some of the other top players in Georgia in the playoffs?

“I liked going against Buford. I liked going against their offensive line, they were college sized. They were bigger than you think. During the season, a lot of the offensive linemen we were going against were around 6-foot tall. With Buford, all of their guys were 6-foot 3-inches and over. That was fun. That helped me come back from my injury faster, I had to step my game up.”

Which game was your best during the stretch run?

“Probably, responsibility and team leadership wise, the Buford game. Knowing all that they do, I called out all their plays, I executed well, and the other linebackers executed very well. It came down to a trick play, a missed assignment on our end. It came down to the wire (lost 24-21).”

Once the season ended, what have you been working on with your game?

“Trying to improve in every aspect, on and off the field. I am doing track this spring. This year, I am sprinting working on my speed and running technique. That will help with combines down the road. I am trying to keep my hips loose. We did not do much zone during the season, more man. I have to keep guarding slots and running backs in zone coverage. In college it is a lot of zone.”

In the weight room, you are always getting after it. Do you have any updated max lifts?

“It would have been more on squat but with the knee, I got 500 on squat. I go 355 on bench and 335 on power clean.”

Holy crap. All great numbers. I like how you throw out the part about your knee and then tell me you squatted 500. That’s phenomenal.

“Thank you.”

Let’s jump into recruiting. You have a ton of offers, but which schools are showing interest?

“Arkansas offered recently. They re-offered with the new staff. LSU is showing interest and I have been talking with Vanderbilt and Georgia. There are more, but that is the best I can think of off the top of my head.”

Where is the offer count at now?

“Thirty.”

Chambliss’ Offer Sheet (30): Alabama, Central Florida, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Purdue, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Western Carolina, and Wisconsin

That’s great. Before all cam to a halt, did you get any unofficial visits in over the winter?

“I went to a Junior Day at Auburn, Georgia Tech, and Georgia. I was planning on visiting LSU, but that and the rest were shut down before I could go.”

There were a few visits you were going to take, are there any others planned once the campuses open back up, official or unofficial?

“I have to figure out my officials. It is getting about time. I have to figure that out, or if I want to take more unofficial visits.”

As you get closer to your senior season, what are some of the things that are becoming more important for you during the recruiting process as you seriously weigh your options?

“How I fit in their scheme, the relationship I have with my position coach, and the campus; can I see myself there for four years even if I am injured.”

Chaz, always great getting time in with you today. I appreciate you updating us on your workouts and recruiting.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Chambliss family; Chaz Chambliss at Georgia and Auburn