Chase Hess

Tight End / Dixie State

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

Chase Hess:  I am 6’4, 245 and my last forty was a 4.75 at Dixie.   

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

Chase Hess:  When everything was shut down, I was lucky because my brother has a home gym.  My brother and I train together.  We go to a high school field, run routes and do conditioning.  

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

Chase Hess:  Growing up, I played basketball and baseball.  I also played rugby in high school.

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your experience playing rugby. 

Chase Hess:  It translates to football.  It is a physical game with no pads on.  It is a great sport with a lot of conditioning and running.  You have to be ready to get hit and hit other people. 

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

Chase Hess:  I was playing QB my entire life.  I was a backup QB my freshman year and then they moved me to receiver.  As I got bigger, they moved me to TE.  I also played on defense my junior and senior years.  I played OLB, DE and safety. 

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

Chase Hess:  There were some local Utah schools.  Utah State and Weber State showed interest.  They wanted to come in as a walk-on.  Coach Peterson offered me a scholarship to go to Snow community college. 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at JUCO? 

Chase Hess:  It is a great place to come and transition from high school to college.  Snow has a great reputation.  I pushed myself to get bigger and get my body right.  JUCO ball has a lot of great athletes. 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you transfer to Dixie State?

Chase Hess:  Coach Peterson left Snow College and got a head coaching job at Dixie.  He is a really smart football coach.  I love being taught.  I wanted to be here with him. 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your junior year?      

Chase Hess:  As a team, we went 8-3.  It was a good season.  We set a new record for most wins in a season at the school.  Personally, I made All-RMAC first team and Super Region 4 first team.  I wouldn’t accomplish any of it without my team.  

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from your team this upcoming season? 

Chase Hess:  Dixie is transitioning from D-II to D-I.  We have a lot of guys coming back.  We are putting in a lot of work.  We are an independent this year.  We will play Sacramento State and Montana State.  

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Chase Hess:  Physicality, route running and hands.  I don’t like dropping balls.  I always find a way to make the tough catch.  

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

Chase Hess:  My strength and speed.  My blocking technique is pretty sound.  

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

Chase Hess:  My last game of the season against Adams State.  I had three TD’s and close to 100 yards.  I set the TD record in a single game at Dixie.  It was also the last game that my grandpa got to see me play.   

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

Chase Hess:  Coach Paul Peterson taught me a lot of life lessons.  All of his athletes are great people off the field.  You have to strive academically.  You have to have the mindset that school comes first.  Football won’t last forever.  He turns us into great men in the community. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Chase Hess:  The Oakland Raiders.  My parents are from California.  My older brother and uncle root for the Raiders. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Chase Hess:  Travis Kelce.  I try to mold my game after him.  I also liked watching Gronk before.

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

Chase Hess:  QB Keaton Mott is a tremendous athlete.  He is very mobile.  Jalen Powell is a slot receiver.  He is shifty and knows how to get open.  C Nate Aceves is a junior.  He is a great leader in the trenches.  DE Dylan Hendrickson has put in a lot of work.  He is a great guy. 

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

Chase Hess:  DE from Adams State Alani Pututau.  He was at Snow College.  He is one of the most athletic people that I have ever seen.  He is physically sound and explosive.  He has a lot of moves.  He is a great athlete.  

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

Chase Hess:  Technique.  You can’t do anything without it.  You have to block the DE on the edge and you have to be sound with your technique. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Chase Hess:  The brotherhood.  I have made countless friends through football.  Football strengthens bonds.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Chase Hess:  I love being around my family.  They support me a lot.  

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

Chase Hess:  After football, I want to become a firefighter.  I want to go to the academy.   

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Chase Hess:  My mindset about everything.  I am open-minded.  I accept everyone.  I am friendly and caring.  I want to make sure that I am that type of person all the time. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Chase Hess:  A leader is someone who is doing the right thing on and off the field.  Leading you in the right direction and taking care of people.  He has to make sure that everyone is doing the right thing.  

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Chase Hess:  Honorable, funny, caring, loving, and gritty.