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Irving tight end solid in commitment to Ponies
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The Mustangs began their 2004 recruiting class when Irving High School tight end Vincent Chase (6-5, 243, 4.7) announced his commitment to SMU. Chase becomes the third player from the Irving schools (along with two 2003 signees — Irving linebacker Zach Hall and Irving MacArthur defensive end Lucky DeLay) to announce he’ll head to the Hilltop to play his college ball.

“Zach was a big influence,” Chase said. “He’s been talking to be all along — not bugging me about it, but just telling me why SMU was right for him. He definitely helped me make my decision.”

But Hall was not the primary influence in Chase’s decision. That title goes to Chase’s brother, Bobby, a senior wide receiver last year at IHS. Bobby (6-4, 200) was recruited last year by the Mustangs, but was late in qualifying academically. He will spend a semester at Blinn (Texas) Junior College.

“They told him that as long as he gets his grades, he’s in,” Vincent Chase said. “So he’ll be there (at SMU), too.”

Bobby’s intention to play for the Ponies sealed Vincent’s decision to commit to SMU.

“Going to play with my brother was important — we’re really close,” Vincent said. “We want to play together — it will be cool that we can continue to do that. We have a huge family, and now they’ll get to see us play. Besides, I knew that if I went far away from home, I’d get homesick, and I didn’t want to deal with that.”

Vincent’s chances to get away from home were many, having received 15 scholarship offers before he made his decision. In addition to SMU, he also received offers from Florida, Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma, LSU, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Syracuse, Kansas State, Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado State, TCU and Louisiana-Lafayette.

When the 2004 season opens, Chase expects himself to be in the mix at the tight end spot for SMU.

“Ryan Kennedy will be coming back then, and he’s a really good player,” said Chase, who bench presses 295 pounds and squats 385. “But I work really hard — I have a very strong work ethic. I expect to come in and compete for playing time. If I don’t play right away, I’ll work harder and get there the next year.”

Chase said he plans to attend every 2003 SMU home game, and that he doesn't plan to take any visits this fall to schools other than SMU. He also said he "doesn't see the point" in attending camps at any school other than SMU.

• • • • • • • • • •

Editor’s note: This is an abbreviated version of the Vincent Chase bio that will appear with the PonyFans.com Recruiting Roundup in February. PonyFans.com will provide periodic updates on Chase throughout the 2003 season.

sweet

Best thing in that story is the last paragraph, where he said he isn't going to visit any other schools or go to camp at any other schools. Sounds like he's locked in!

That lineup of scholarship offers is really impressive! Nice work by the coaches getting this guy.

I just hope he stays true to his commitment and declines invitations to visit other schools. We need a legitimate blue-chipper like him.

Will he be helping to recruit other players? I'd think that by attending the camp and all of the SMU home games, he'd be a great asset to the Bennett recruiting machine.

I like the fact that he recognizes Ryan Kennedy's talent, and that he doesn't just assume the starting TE position is his. He sounds like he plans to work, and work hard. What a great addition to the team this young man will be.

When he gets here, will he be a big receiving threat, or just a monster blocker, like an extra offensive lineman?

Both. Vincent is a big, strong kid who by all accounts plays very tough. Like his brother, he also has great hands.

I have always been a Lake Highlands Wildcat fan but I may have to get some Irving Tiger gear. Lets go watch some Irving games and keep the pipeline going!!

I'm in! Great idea.
(Every time he scores, or buries someone with a block, get a chant of S!M!U! going.)

[This message has been edited by PonyPower (edited 06-12-2003).]