MSU commit looking around
Coffeeville (Miss.) running back Lee Chambers has been verbally committed to Mississippi State since June 22. Other programs stayed in touch, however, and now he's looking into exploring all of his options.
"I'm still committed to Mississippi State," Chambers said. "But I just started talking to other schools because my mom thinks the best idea for me is to talk to them and to take my visits. My mom knows what's best for me and I need to do what she says."
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Chambers has heard from most of the programs that had previously been recruiting him before his commitment to Sylvester Croom and the Bulldogs.
"Basically all the ones that offered me have been in touch except Ole Miss and Michigan," Chambers said. "Miami (Fla.), Louisville, Alabama, South Carolina, Southern Mississippi and Florida State have all been in touch."
The only unofficial visit he has made this year was to see Mississippi State's season opener.
"I went to MSU-South Carolina," Chambers said. "With Mississippi State, I love their defense. I think they are very aggressive. With the offense, it's just not the style of ball that I am going to. The offense just started putting points on the board against Tulane."
Chambers added that the Bulldogs' struggles on the field had little to do with his decision to make visits to other schools.
"If they were 3-0, I've got the same outcome for me."
While watching Mississippi State's 15-0 loss in its season opener, Chambers was checking out another favorite. The Gamecocks were recruiting Chambers heavily during the spring and summer.
"South Carolina, they are pretty good," he said. "I like the different type of ways they get the ball to their running backs. He might have 10 carries or 15 carries.
"I am very interested in them. My recruiting coach, Robert Gillespie calls me every week."
Miami (Fla.) is another school that has been in contact.
"Everybody knows the U, the big U," Chambers said. "But they are not looking so hot this year. Coach Joe Pannunzio is recruiting me from there and he was talking about them not having the all-around running back, the one that can catch passes and run the football and that has breakaway speed."
Louisville is a school that recently entered the picture.
"I've been watching Louisville and the game they played against Kentucky when Michael Bush broke his leg," Chambers said. "I've been following up on Louisville since then. Coach Reggie Johnson was telling me that they lead the nation in scoring. Louisville is looking pretty good right now."
Alabama, Florida State and Southern Mississippi also are under consideration for a visit.
"Right now, I think I will finalize things closer to signing day," Chambers said. "My mom said I rushed into my commitment too quick in the beginning. My mom wants what's best for me, so I should see what's out there."
Chambers is the nation's No. 8 all-purpose running back prospect and is the No. 13 overall prospect in the state of Mississippi. After four games, he has rushed for more than 600 yards and nine touchdowns as Coffeeville is off to a 3-1 start.