Utah 2017 SS/WR Chaz Ah You Proving to be One of the Best in the West

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

If diehard high school football fans are lucky, there is at least one guy somewhat similar to Chaz Ah You in a given state year after year. That guy is a two-way player who excels on both sides of the ball and at demanding positions who commands attention every time the ball is snapped.

Over the past two seasons, Chaz Ah You has been lining up under center on offense, sometimes at running back, and from time to time as a receiver on offense. Switching it up on defense, he plays as a hard hitting safety covering a lot of ground from sideline to sideline who can drop down into the box as an outside linebacker when needed. During his sophomore season for Westlake High School, the Saratoga Springs area talent threw for 1,020 yards with eight scores, carried the ball 133 times for 503 yards with seven additional touchdowns, and even caught a 46-yard touchdown pass. On defense he made his presence felt tallying 54 tackles with two tackles for a loss all in nine games played.

The Utah talent saw his role change during his junior season transitioning out of the pocket and into a targeted mismatch when possible on offense. The 6’2”, 195 pound, talent had 25 carries for 167 yards, caught 26 passes for 352 yards with four scores, and continued his growing mastery in the secondary coming up with 48 tackles, three tackles for a loss, three sacks, two quarterback hurries, two interceptions, and seven pass defended in eight games.

At the end of his sophomore season Ah You earned second team All-Region honors as a quarterback and after his junior year he was a first team All-State and first team All-League safety. College coaches have noticed the wide array of talents Ah You is cultivating with 22 programs extending offers. Among the many includes Brigham Young, Utah, Oregon, Cal, Michigan, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Louisville, Stanford, Duke, Wisconsin, Washington, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Utah State, and Washington State.

In the offseason, Ah You transferred from Westlake to Timpview, a Utah high school powerhouse, shaking up the balance of talent within the state of Utah. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Ah You covering his junior season and transfer to Timpview, his offseason work outs, and got a recruiting news update.

Interview

Chaz, how has the transfer gone for you from Westlake to Timpview?

“It’s different. I’ve never been the new kid before. I’m not used to walking around not being familiar with everyone. I’m still trying to get to know all the kids. With football, it is a different atmosphere. Everything is notched up with weight training, attitude, and coaching. I like it.”

You played all over the field with Westlake the last two seasons, which positions will you play at Timpview during your senior year?

“As of right now I see myself playing wide receiver and safety.”

Between wide receiver and safety, which position is your best in your opinion?

“I want to say I’m best at both but I think I am better at safety than at wide receiver. Playing safety allows me to do a lot more on the field making plays without the ball in my hands. I can make a play when the ball is not going my way.”

There is a difference between best at and which position you may like best. Between the two, which position do you like playing best?

“It’s hard to say. I love scoring the ball and making plays on offense. On defense I am able to come down and hit. I can catch the ball but not as often (laughs). I enjoy safety a little more because of physicality of the position and I feel that I am more active in the game.”

You have kind of touched on this a little bit, but what are your strengths on the field as a safety?

“What I think I do well, I am able to come down make the big hit and make the open field tackle. My coverage is good. I can come up and play man in the slots and cover ground deep. My physicality and cover skills are strengths at safety.”

What are you working on in the offseason to improve upon for your senior year?

“I’m trying to work on my explosiveness, being more explosive off the ball, and driving more towards the ball. I’m also working on my weight. Played at 180 last year. That is pretty light for what I was trying to do. With a little more weight on me I can lay the wood a little harder this year.”

I like that. Spoken like a true safety.

“Thank you.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“First, I want to win state. I want to get a ring. That has been my goal since I was a little kid. Also, another goal I’ve had since I was young is playing in an All-American game. I’d like to be invited to one of those. During the season, my dad (Jasen) has said you need five knockout hits. I want five hits where it leaves players watching my film to never want to get hit by me. I want other athletes to see that when they watch my film and be afraid.”

You have 22 offers now. Of the schools that have offered, which schools are pushing the hardest for your verbal commitment?

“Schools that are recruiting me the hardest would have to be BYU, UCLA, Stanford, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Vanderbilt.”

Which schools are recruiting you hard but have not offered you yet?

“Actually, Yale has been contacting me a lot and Ole Miss. Ole Miss DMs (direct messages) me every now and again.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits so far in the offseason?

“I visited Utah last Friday and BYU last Wednesday. I went to Notre Dame two weekends ago. I went up there to check it out, that was pretty cool. I’m visiting some California schools in May when I go there for the Nike Opening regional (Oakland).”

How did your visit to Utah go?

“It was really cool. There were tons of kids there though so there was not a lot of individual time with the coaches. I saw the facilities and watched their practice.”

How did your visit to Notre Dame go?

“That visit was really good. I wanted to see Notre Dame for myself. My family always talks about them, how rich their tradition is there. I got to spend time Coach (Brian) Kelly (head coach) and Coach (Todd) Lyght (defensive backs coach). I liked it.”

With 22 offers I doubt you will go to any college camps but on the off chance, are you going to any college camps this summer?

“No. I might go to USC’s camp. That camp normally has the best talent.”

Have you started thinking about when you might verbally commit?

“I will commit after the season, but not before. There is a possibility before the season I might come up with a Top 5 or Top 10.”

As you do your personal evaluation of each school, what are the main factors that influence you when viewing the different colleges?

“First of all, I want to go to a school that will get the best out of me. I want to be at a place that is well rounded in the classroom, with the social life, and on the field. I don’t want to leave college thinking I have left something behind. I want to be a well-rounded person when I leave college.”

Did you play any other sports for Westlake other than football?

“I played basketball this season and I run track. We had a successful basketball season this year. We made history being the first team to make it to state let alone the semifinals.”

Do you remember your stat on the court?

“I don’t pay attention to stats.”

What type of player are you on the court?

“I’m more of the lock down guy on defense. I scored when I had to, but I was not the leading scorer.”

Do you have a GPA that you don’t mind sharing?

“I have a 3.7 GPA right now.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“The first time I took the ACT I got a 19. That will have to go up.”

Do you know what you want to major in once in college?

“Right now I want to major in business management but I can see that changing.”

Last question, what is your favorite part of playing football?

“I like that bond I develop with my teammates, nothing beats that. You develop lifelong relationships and learn lifelong lessons from the coaching staff. I do love making plays. That’s what keeps me driving in the game. There is a lot to football that I love but that would have to be most of it. I do love winning. That is probably the biggest thing on top of all that.”

Chaz, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: utahvalley360.com; Chaz Ah You runs up the middle of the defense.

Photo credit: Ah You family; Chaz Ah You visiting Notre Dame.

Photo credit: Ah You family; Chaz Ah You at BYU.