PonyFans.com profile: BOBBY CHASE

[Webmaster]

Bobby Chase eager to play at SMU with brother, Irving friends
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PonyFans enjoyed the first commitment for Signing Day in February, 2004, when Irving High School tight end Vincent Chase announced his intention to play his college ball at SMU. But while he drew headlines in newspapers and on national recruiting services, his brother Bobby quietly joined Vincent in committing to play for the Ponies.

Bobby Chase was a senior wide receiver on the 2002 IHS team, catching nearly 60 passes for more than 800 yards as a senior. He stands 6-feet-4-inches tall, weighs 205 pounds, bench presses 265 and squats 415. Since the end of the season, he has dropped his time in the 40-yard dash from 4.7 to 4.53, and he says he probably now can run in the mid-4.4s.

For Bobby, the recruiting process was not typical for such a highly touted player. He had the grades to qualify, but didn't get his test score until after Signing Day. At that point, schools had given their allotted scholarships. Bobby will attend Blinn (Texas) Junior College for a year, and then enroll at SMU next year with his brother. He said that even if he excels on the field for Blinn, prompting other schools to come calling with scholarship offers, he's locked in to his commitment to SMU.

"I'm definitely going to play at SMU," he said. "It doesn't matter what happens when I'm down at Blinn — SMU is the only school that stood by me through the whole (qualification) thing. SMU is where I'm going."

Chase will add another large target for the SMU passing game. At Irving, he was the team's primary receiver, using his size and superior hands to be the team's most reliable possession receiver.

"I wasn't going to run by everyone last year," Chase said. "My hands are definitely the best part of my game. With my size, I'm more of a power receiver, and I'm going to get hte ball, no matter what."

Olympic hopeful jumper Kevin Dilworth has been training at Irving High, and Chase latched on to Dilworth and his trainer. Chase said they completely broke down his running mechanics, which led to the improvement in his speed.

"They changed everything I was doing with my mechanics," Chase said. "I bet I could punch in the 4.4s now."

Chase said that the decision he and Vincent made to play for the Ponies was made in part for their father.

"When our dad was going to high school, SMU recruited him really hard," Bobby Chase said. "That was back when Eric Dickerson and those were playing — SMU was one of the best teams in the country. Our dad ended up not going, but with Vincent and me going there … we're sort of living out something he didn't get to do.

"Plus, we'll be close to home — we're almost down the street, so our family can come see us play. Zach Hall, Lucky Delay, Zach's brother Chris, Vincent and me — we're all like brothers. We've grown up together, and it's pretty amazing that we're all going to get to play together at SMU."

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Editor’s note: This is an abbreviated version of the Bobby Chase bio that will appear with the PonyFans.com Recruiting Roundup in February.

[Stallion]

if he really is 6-4, 205 and runs anything close to a 4.4 then with his on field production he is a BLUE-CHIPPER. I have some lingering doubts that he might be more of a 4.6 guy but even then he could add a few pounds and become a heck of a TE prospect especially on passing downs

[Lotus]

I agree with you, Stallion - if Bobby can get into the 4.4s, then he's a receiver a lot of coaches will regret missing out on. And if I'm not mistaken, he played some TE before moving to WR in 10th grade.

But I remain a little leery of that speed. Track speed is a lot different from football speed.

[SMUFan]

Sounds like both Chase brothers have real talent. They'll definitely add to the passing game.

[thegatekeepr]

well i have seen Bobby play , and he has every bit of football speed. I promise you, he will surprise alot of people when he comes to smu.

[Hoofprint]

Unbelievable hands - that's what I keep hearing about Bobby Chase. Welcome aboard, Bobby!

[I AM]

I haven't put a stop watch on Bobby Chase, but he is exactly 6'4. PF.com is now in possesion of his junior year highlight reel. He catches balls off his shoelaces, over defenders, 1-handed, flying backwards through the air. He catches pretty much everything. Fabulous concentration.

[PonyPride]

He's also a terrific leaper - with his height, concentration and hands, he should win a lot of battles for high passes. After watching his highlight tape, he seems to have a knack for making catches on balls that seemingly should get away from him. He sure looks like a very good player.

[wardog]

I've seen bobby run that 4.53, and it would not surprise me at all if he ran a 4.4. Bobby was a stud in high school, and will be a stud at SMU.

[ClassOf81]

Too bad we can't have him suit up this year. Any time you get a tall, fast WR who makes circus catches your offense automatically gets better. See you in 2004, Bobby!

[BennettBacker]

Sounds like a hell of a target, and a fierce competitor. Should be a great addition to the offense. His brother, too.