Keke Chism
Wide Receiver / Angelo State

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Keke Chism:  Height is 6’4 and weight is 210.       

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Keke Chism:  I am currently living in Dallas.  Monday through Friday, I work out at APEC sports facility.  We run routes and catch the football.  I do weight room training in the morning.  I do drills and skill work in the afternoon. 

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Keke Chism:  I played basketball, ran track and played baseball.  I was an all-state PG in basketball during my senior year.  I come from a basketball family.  My dad and my mom played college ball.     

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Keke Chism:  I was playing QB all of my life up until my senior season of high school.  I played a little bit of receiver my senior year and I was a backup QB.  But I had to start again during my senior year when the starting QB got injured.       

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Keke Chism:  Most schools recruited me as an athlete.  I had Angelo State, Texas A&M Commerce and Abilene Christian.  Abilene Christian offered me as a preferred walk-on.     

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Angelo State? 

Keke Chism:  They wanted me to play receiver here.  But the biggest reason I came here was the relationship with the WR coach and my recruiter Jason Johnson.  He came from Texas State.  When he got the job here, he called me.  We jelled.  He was kind of a father figure for me away from home.     

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career.        Keke Chism:  During the last two seasons, I made first team all-conference.  My sophomore year was my best season.  I have averaged 60 catches for 900 yards and six TD’s the last two seasons.  I hold sixth place in career receptions at the school.  As a team, we are coming off our best year since I have been here.  We finished 8-3 this past year.  I was a team captain as ajunior and should be one again this year.      

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from Angelo State this upcoming season? 

Keke Chism:  We have high expectations.  We have guys coming back.  We are only losing two starters.  We have 40 seniors coming back.  We have played a lot of football.  On paper, it is our year.  We want to win the conference.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Keke Chism:  Leadership and reliability.  I haven’t missed a game in my three years.  My hands and making contested catches.       

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Keke Chism:  Becoming more explosive and stronger in my lower body.  I need to be more dynamic after the catch.  Building more endurance.       

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Keke Chism:  The biggest moment for me was when we beat Midwestern State this past season.  We haven’t beaten them since I have been here.  They are a rival for us.  We played them at home.  They were ranked at No.15 in the nation.  We beat them 28-6.  I had six catches for 130 yards and two TD’s.       

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Keke Chism:  Becoming a better student of the game.  Focus on the opponent and breaking down the film.  Having more knowledge.       

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Keke Chism:  My favorite team is the New Orleans Saints.  I have liked them all of my life.  I was a huge Reggie Bush fan, even when he was at USC.  I am a die-hard Saints fan.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Keke Chism:  Odell Beckham Jr.     

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Keke Chism:  OLB Hunter Kyle is a four-year starter.  He is a big-time player on defense.  WR Larry Johnson is on the other side of me.  That guy can fly.  He has 4.3 speed.  He is a kick returner for us.  He got hurt last year.     

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Keke Chism:  During my redshirt freshman year, Washburn CB Corey Ballentine.  He was drafted by the Giants.     

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR?

Keke Chism:  Being deceptive and understanding angles.  Elite receivers can change angles and change speeds.  I have been working on trying to create space at the top of the routes.     

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Keke Chism:  It is my escape from everything else.  Nothing else matters.  On the football field, I am in another zone.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Keke Chism:  Call of Duty is my main hobby.       

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Keke Chism:  I got my bachelor’s in finance in the spring of 2019.  I am working on my master’s in education.  After football, I want to get into a mentorship program.  Something like a Boys and Girls club.  I want to help out kids from lesser cities.  I want to build relationships within my community. 

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Keke Chism:   My drive and work ethic throughout this whole journey.  I have never been the best player.  I have always been in someone’s shadow.  I had to prove myself.  I had to work for everything.  I have always had a constant chip on my shoulder.     

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Keke Chism:  Determined, hungry, loving, perfectionist, and leader.