SEC’s Most Underrated: Jamar Chaney
Posted by secsportsline on August 27, 2009
Mississippi State’s Jamar Chaney has the chance to be one of the SEC’s biggest comeback stories of 2009. An all-conference talent at linebacker, his broken ankle in last year’s season opener against Louisiana Tech put a very early end to what would have been his senior season.
Chaney is a preseason 2nd team All-SEC selection, making him a bit of a stretch for a “most underrated” list. One thing that makes him underrated is his veteran leadership in MSU’s lockerroom. As one of the best players from the Bulldogs’ 2007 Bowl-winning team, and one who was sorely missed during last year’s disappointing 4-8 season, the new coaching staff will rely on Chaney to be a point of continuity linking the younger players to MSU’s most successful season in quite some time.
ESPN’s Chris Low reports that Chaney is back faster and stronger than ever before. “Coach (Matt) Balis (the Bulldogs’ strength coach) has me in the best shape of my life, and Coach (Carl) Torbush is the best linebacker coach I’ve had and the best defensive coordinator I’ve had. I’m happy where I’m at. I’m happy with the career I’ve had, and I’m happy with how it’s going to end.”
The stats tell the story of Jamar’s last healthy season of football. Leading his team in tackles with 89 allowed him to make a decisive impact on the Bulldogs’ interior defense despite his lack of forced turnovers. In his fifth year at Mississippi State, and with a new coaching staff preaching aggressive defense, expect even more out of Jamar in 2009.
