STATS tabs LB Chambers to its FCS AA Second Team

ABILENE - Senior linebacker Jeremiah 'Juice' Chambers Thursday was named Second Team FCS All-America by STATS Perform. Earlier in the week he received Third Team All-America honors from HERO Sports.

"This late-season recognition for 'Juice' from the Southland Conference and media is well deserved; he's earned every bit of it," said Adam Dorrel, who recently completed his third year as the Wildcats' head coach. "Hopefully, with his name showing up here and there he'll get the attention of the pros and they can see how dominant of a player he is."  

Chambers was one of 10 Southland Conference football players named to a STATS FCS All-America Team. Defensive First Team honors went to Nicholls lineman Sully Laiche, while third team honors went to Chris Givings (DL, McNeese), Ferlando Jordan (DB, Southeastern La.), and Robert Rochell (DB, Central Arkansas).

Only two offensive players made this squad: Nicholls o-lineman P.J. Burkhalter (first team) and Northwestern State wide receiver Quan Shorts (third team). The special team honorees were Sam Houston State punter Matt McRobert (second team), Houston Baptist kick returner Gamar Girdy Brito (second team), and Stephen F. Austin placekicker Storm Ruiz (third team).

As was previously noted Monday, Chambers is the first Wildcat named to a Division I honor team and first to make any All-America squad since defensive lineman Aston Whiteside and center Matt Webber made the first and second teams, respectively, in 2011. The most recent linebacker to be named All America was Cody Stutts in 2007 (second team).

"Juice was just a pleasure to coach," said first-year defensive coordinator Clint Brown to ACU Today. "You knew as a coach and teammate you were going to get his best every day. I really appreciate him buying into a new scheme and the dedication he showed to learn and understand it. He was our leader and he'll be tough to replace."

A native of Cedar Park, Texas, Chambers' remarkable season included 110 tackles (65 solo), 20.5 of which resulted in losses of 55 yards. The Vista Ridge high school graduate also was responsible for five sacks (-17 yards) four pass breakups and passes defended, two quarterback hurries and Southland Conference-best three fumble recoveries.

Chambers additionally led the Southland (ninth in the FCS) with 5.8 solo tackles per game, and was No. 2 in the league (sixth in the FCS) with 1.7 tackles for loss. His overall tackle total (9.2 per game) ranked third in the Southland and 31st in the FCS.

For his efforts he was named First Team All-Southland Conference for the second consecutive season. 

A two-year team captain, Chambers started his final year at ACU with 11 tackles at North Texas and several weeks later came through with a season-high 15 tackles, half a sack, QB hurry and two pass breakups in the Wildcats' first-ever win vs. McNeese, 17-10. He had four tackles in the fourth quarter and a hurry on the Cowboys' final drive.

The McNeese game started a three-game streak with 10 or more tackles for Chambers, as he totaled 13 at Incarnate Word with a 11-yard fumble recovery followed by 14 tackles at Lamar. 

Chambers in late October was instrumental in the Wildcats' consecutive overtime wins vs. Stephen F. Austin and at No. 15 Nicholls. On the Lumberjacks' first drive of OT, Chambers saved a touchdown by pushing running back Da'Leon Ward out at the one-yard line, and three snaps later he tackled Ward eight yards behind the line of scrimmage. That play forced SFA to attempt a 27-yard field goal, which sailed wide left.

Four of his nine tackles vs. SFA went for a loss of 12 yards.

The following week in Thibodaux he recorded a season-high two sacks among his seven total tackles. He also would record two sacks during the Nov. 9 home game vs. Sam Houston State.

In his final appearance with the Wildcats at Mississippi State, he was credited with eight tackles, one tackle for loss and a half sack.

For his career, Chambers finished with 293 tackles to rank 10th all-time at ACU. He recorded 223 of those tackles over the last two years, including a career season-high 113 in 2018. Chambers made 20 tackles through seven games during his freshman year of 2016, and then appeared in 11 contests as a sophomore in 2017.

His 113 tackles as a junior were tied for the 10th most in ACU's single-season history with John Usrey (1977) and Richard Meister (1988).

All-America week concludes Friday with the announcement of the AFCA teams. Dates for the Walter Camp and Phil Steele All-America teams are to be determined.