Former Michigan WR Jehu Chesson brings versatility, positivity to Chiefs
 

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/inde...rt_2box_sports

ANN ARBOR - Shortly after hearing his name called by the Kansas City Chiefs, Jehu Chesson was asked an expansive question.

How did he go from being born in West Africa and escaping civil war to become an NFL draft pick?

"I can give you a little 30-second rundown, I guess," Chesson said in a conference call with reporters last Saturday.


To summarize, Chesson was born in Liberia, moved to the Ivory Coast for a few years and, at age 5, arrived in America as his family settled in St. Louis. He is thankful for God, his entire family and everyone that helped him get to this point. But, he also made the most of his opportunity and remained positive throughout the process - including following a breakout year with a drop-off in production last season.

A uniquely American story, Jehu Chesson taking advantage of his opportunity
A uniquely American story, Jehu Chesson taking advantage of his opportunity
"What everyone is seeing is the result of hard work and hard labor." -- Jehu Chesson Sr.

It began with a torn PCL in his right knee in a Citrus Bowl win over Florida to cap the 2015 campaign which cost him most of the ensuing offseason. And, he was never able to establish the same connection with first-year starting quarterback Wilton Speight that he had with Jake Rudock the year before.

"I didn't really focus on the all the things that weren't going my way or the team's way per say," Chesson said. "I kind of just take one day at a time, one practice at a time, and we just try to hone in and execute the job that we have to do to get the job done for our team. But like anybody else, bad things happen, numbing things happen, but we like to stay positive and focus on the good things going right."

After racking up 50 receptions for 764 yards and nine touchdowns in 2015, Chesson followed with 35 catches for 500 yards and two scores last season as a fifth-year senior. He was one of 14 Michigan players invited to the NFL combine and showed off impressive speed by running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash. Chesson, 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, did enough to convince the Chiefs to trade up to select him in the fourth round with the No. 139 pick overall last Saturday.

Michigan WR Jehu Chesson picked by Chiefs in 4th round of NFL draft
Michigan WR Jehu Chesson picked by Chiefs in 4th round of NFL draft
Chesson was the ninth Michigan player picked in the NFL draft.

"He's big, he's fast, he's tough and he's a great kid - will be excellent in our (receivers) room," Chiefs area scout Pat Sperduto told Chiefs.com of Chesson. "Such high character, plays on (special) teams. ... He's made a bunch of plays and he's lined up everywhere for (Michigan).

"There's not going to be any issues when it comes to the intelligence part of it and that probably helps the coaching staff know that this guy can play a bunch of spots."

Chesson stressed the importance of having an open mind in the pre-draft process and, now, an eagerness to meet his new teammates and dive into the playbook. He also emphasized versatility by playing all the receiver positions at Michigan and credited former passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch, who is now the UCLA offensive coordinator, for making that a priority.

"I was a 'Z' but the way our offense worked at Michigan, it was very interchangeable," Chesson said. "We ran a lot of plays with different options where our routes changed. I don't think I'm most comfortable in any specific position. I think being diverse was a big part of our offense."

Breaking down Michigan's record-setting NFL draft class
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Chesson, who earned a master's degree in management from the Ross School of Business last weekend, also stressed his desire to play on special teams - a result of his competitiveness and doing whatever is needed of him. It's just another reason the Chiefs appreciate his mentality.

"This kid's going to bring a lunch pail," Sperduto said. "He's not a prima donna wide receiver."

Sounds great to me.

That article lacked burst.

Ladue Horton HS? Chic-chic!!

I don't expect much from him. Time will tell - but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for excellence.

Isn't that where Tamba is from?

No, Teaneck NJ is back east.

Hali was born in Gbarnga, Liberia. He was sent to the United States at the age of 10 to escape civil war-torn Liberia; there he joined his father Henry Hali, a chemistry professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University who also taught the subject at Teaneck High School. - Wikipedia

About 120 miles from Monrovia.

Was greatly disappointed that they drafted him instead of Chad Hansen from Cal, who was selected two picks later.. but it's done. Hope he turns into something, all the same.

I don't know much about him but one of the talking heads said he will be Avant 2.0 in Reids offense. That is the role he is supposed to fill.

We shall see.

I can't imagine growing up amidst that much violence and danger. St. Louis is a scary place.

With Alex at the helm if he can do a five yard hook pattern he could catch 50 balls for 250 yards his rookie season.

Sorry, he's going to need to hop back behind the line of scrimmage and run for the yardage if he wants those numbers.

So, Jehu is Jason Avant the second? Dane's gonna love this guy!!!