Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Q&A with Saluki All-Conference safety Jeremy Chinn
03/29/2018 | 8:40:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois junior safety Jeremy Chinn led the MVFC in forced fumbles and was sixth in interceptions in 2017. He led the MVFC in combined forced fumbles and interceptions, and he was ninth in passes defended. On SIU, Chinn was third on the team in tackles (66), broke up six passes and recovered one fumble. Chinn was named second-team All-MVFC, earned a spot on the 2016 MVFC All-Newcomer team and was a Freshman All-American by HERO Sports in 2016.
It's rare for a true freshman to make a major impact at this level. Why do you think you were able to perform at a high level right from the start in 2016?
The biggest thing for me was learning the game mentally. If you can learn the game mentally at this level, it will set you apart. Everyone is athletic in Division I football, probably just as athletic as you are. I spent a lot of time in the film room and that was what made me succeed on the field.
You then had an All-Conference season as a sophomore and led the league in combined forced fumbles/interceptions. What were the keys to your improvement in Year Two?
Just moving better, working on my footwork, my movement, learning plays quicker, getting to know the defense better, made me anticipate things a lot better. The forced fumbles was just a matter of getting to the ball every single chance you get. Coach (Marty) Rodgers does a good job of getting us to pursue to the ball every single play. We'll be in film and he'll say, 'hey, you gotta pursue better, you gotta get to the ball, punch the hip.' That just translates to the game, you get to the ball and have those opportunities to rip the ball out or hit the ball right when everybody's in the pile.
What is your focus for improvement heading into the 2018 season?
Keep improving in the mental aspect, getting my body right, putting on the weight I want to play at at the next level and hold that weight, play with that weight. Mentally, still just learning the game better, leading better.
Your running-mate at safety, Ryan Neal, graduated. Will you try to step into his shoes as a veteran leader in the secondary?
Most definitely. Ryan obviously had a huge role. He came in his freshman year and started, too. Those four years he was here he played a huge role vocally and off the field, too, which is a huge thing. My role picks up where he left off, pick up his vocal leadership, his leadership off the field.
Who are some sleepers on defense who you think are ready to step up and make an impact?
I like Jaylen Waters, the transfer. He's a real athletic guy, he's been flying around for us this spring. Bryce Notree is another guy that's been ballin' this spring, flying around. His body has gotten a lot better than what it was when he first came in, he's moving a lot better. Terrance Henley has gotten a lot better since he first came in here. Tory Lewis, not a lot of people have seen him play, I haven't even seen him play a lot on the field, he's battled injuries and stuff. When he's healthy, he's just as good as anybody in the conference.
With all the returning talent and new additions, what does the defense need to do to become a dominant unit?
Just the little things, things you probably wouldn't even notice, things like hitting the right gap, small steps and being in small places where you're supposed to be at the right time. If we get every guy on the right page we can be something special. We have the athleticism, we have the guys that we need on the field, we just have to fix little things.
Some people watch you play and say, 'that guy's going to be a pro someday.' How does that make you feel?
I just have to keep working. I heard things in high school, like, that guy's going to be a Division I football player. People talk about everybody, but just keep working, keep my nose down and keep going.
What do you love most about football?
You can just be yourself out here. It kind of separates you from the real world. You're out here having fun, flying around, you're with your brothers, and you're just yourself out here. I don't know, I can't even explain it. It just takes all the stress away, you're just out here playing football.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to play basketball a little bit. I usually just dunk when I'm playing basketball. Off the field, I'm usually watching film of what I do on the field. Or hanging out with my guys, getting to know my teammates better, hanging out with my position group.
It's rare for a true freshman to make a major impact at this level. Why do you think you were able to perform at a high level right from the start in 2016?The biggest thing for me was learning the game mentally. If you can learn the game mentally at this level, it will set you apart. Everyone is athletic in Division I football, probably just as athletic as you are. I spent a lot of time in the film room and that was what made me succeed on the field.
You then had an All-Conference season as a sophomore and led the league in combined forced fumbles/interceptions. What were the keys to your improvement in Year Two?
Just moving better, working on my footwork, my movement, learning plays quicker, getting to know the defense better, made me anticipate things a lot better. The forced fumbles was just a matter of getting to the ball every single chance you get. Coach (Marty) Rodgers does a good job of getting us to pursue to the ball every single play. We'll be in film and he'll say, 'hey, you gotta pursue better, you gotta get to the ball, punch the hip.' That just translates to the game, you get to the ball and have those opportunities to rip the ball out or hit the ball right when everybody's in the pile.
What is your focus for improvement heading into the 2018 season?
Keep improving in the mental aspect, getting my body right, putting on the weight I want to play at at the next level and hold that weight, play with that weight. Mentally, still just learning the game better, leading better.
Your running-mate at safety, Ryan Neal, graduated. Will you try to step into his shoes as a veteran leader in the secondary?
Most definitely. Ryan obviously had a huge role. He came in his freshman year and started, too. Those four years he was here he played a huge role vocally and off the field, too, which is a huge thing. My role picks up where he left off, pick up his vocal leadership, his leadership off the field.
Who are some sleepers on defense who you think are ready to step up and make an impact?
I like Jaylen Waters, the transfer. He's a real athletic guy, he's been flying around for us this spring. Bryce Notree is another guy that's been ballin' this spring, flying around. His body has gotten a lot better than what it was when he first came in, he's moving a lot better. Terrance Henley has gotten a lot better since he first came in here. Tory Lewis, not a lot of people have seen him play, I haven't even seen him play a lot on the field, he's battled injuries and stuff. When he's healthy, he's just as good as anybody in the conference.
With all the returning talent and new additions, what does the defense need to do to become a dominant unit?
Just the little things, things you probably wouldn't even notice, things like hitting the right gap, small steps and being in small places where you're supposed to be at the right time. If we get every guy on the right page we can be something special. We have the athleticism, we have the guys that we need on the field, we just have to fix little things.
Some people watch you play and say, 'that guy's going to be a pro someday.' How does that make you feel?
I just have to keep working. I heard things in high school, like, that guy's going to be a Division I football player. People talk about everybody, but just keep working, keep my nose down and keep going.
What do you love most about football?
You can just be yourself out here. It kind of separates you from the real world. You're out here having fun, flying around, you're with your brothers, and you're just yourself out here. I don't know, I can't even explain it. It just takes all the stress away, you're just out here playing football.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to play basketball a little bit. I usually just dunk when I'm playing basketball. Off the field, I'm usually watching film of what I do on the field. Or hanging out with my guys, getting to know my teammates better, hanging out with my position group.
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