Ladue wide receiver Jehu Chesson took his time with the recruiting process, carefully considering his options and looking for the right fit.
On Wednesday, Chesson made a verbal commitment to Michigan, picking the Wolverines over Northwestern and Iowa after taking official visits to all three schools.
"Iowa and Northwestern are very, very good schools, but in the end it just kind of came down to the guys in the recruiting class," Chesson said. "So I felt more comfortable with them than anything else, so I felt like that was the most important thing."
A 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior, Chesson attracted interest from schools across the country because of his combination of size, speed and strong academic resume. He unofficially visited 10 schools throughout the process and carefully narrowed down his choices.
One of Chesson's reasons for picking Michigan was the coaching staff, which includes head coach Brady Hoke and wide receivers coach Jeff Hecklinski.
"I feel like they are heading in a positive direction," Chesson said. "I feel like no matter where I go, I'll always have the chance to compete. Michigan just seemed like the prime place to compete and to make myself better at football and as a student."
Chesson recently completed his fifth year of playing football. He studies the game -- and the intricacies of playing wide receiver -- in addition to hitting the textbooks.
"I think he has a huge upside," Ladue coach Mike Tarpey said. "He's still learning the game."
Chesson has been one of the area's top wide receivers the past two seasons. After grabbing 23 catches for 402 yards and four scores as a sophomore, Chesson had 53 receptions for 605 yards and scored 11 total touchdowns as a junior and had 53 catches for 757 yards and eight total touchdowns this fall.
VALENTINE MAKES VISIT, PLANS TWO MORE
Edwardsville defensive tackle Vincent Valentine, the No. 2 prospect in the Post-Dispatch Super 30 list, is getting closer to a decision.
A 6-4, 317-pounder, Valentine took an official visit to Nebraska recently.
"I just came back from Nebraska last weekend, and it was a great trip," he said. "I really enjoyed myself. The atmosphere was just amazing. I love the coaches, and the players were awesome, too."
"The facilities were great," he added, "They were like second to none."
Valentine wants to take two more official visits in January before making a decision.
"I'm planning on taking a visit to Florida on the 13th, because that's the next time we can take a recruiting trip," he said.
After that, Valentine said he would take an official visit to Illinois or Tennessee.
The big defensive tackle said Nebraska and Illinois were his leaders, and he explained what he likes about both Big Ten Conference programs.
"I love the coaches (at Nebraska)," Valentine said. "The coaching staff is great. They do a good job with their players. I like Coach J.P. (John Papuchis), the defensive line coach. He's a great guy also. I really like him. ... I really like their players. How they bond with each other is more like a family atmosphere. They are like a band of brothers."
"I really like that (Illinois is) not too far from home," he said. "They have great academics. I loved the coaching staff before they got fired. Coach (Tim) Beckman is a great guy. I haven't had a chance to sit down and talk to him in person, but when I do I'm pretty sure it will be a great conversation and we'll bond greatly. I like their facilities also. Illinois has great facilities. Their campus is like my kind of personality, kind of laid back, so I really like that about them too."
AREA PLAYERS PICKED FOR ALL-STAR GAMES
Three area football players will get to showcase their skills in all-stars games in the coming weeks.
DeSmet wide receiver Durron Neal, who has committed to Oklahoma, will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The game starts at noon (Central Time) and will be broadcast by NBC.
Parkway North linebacker Donavin Newsom was selected to participate in the sixth annual Offense-Defense All-America Game, which will be Dec. 29 at Cowboys Stadium. Newsom has committed to Missouri.
Eureka long snapper Zach Hirth will play in the Under Armour All-American Game, scheduled for Jan. 5 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The game will be at 6:30 p.m. (CT) and will be broadcast by ESPN.
