Jehu Chesson

{{Short description|Liberian gridiron football player (born 1993)}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Jehu Chesson

| image = Jehu Chesson (28836993705) (1).jpg

| caption = Chesson with the Michigan Wolverines in 2016

| current_team =

| number = 80, 16

| position = Wide receiver

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|12|29|df=y}}

| birth_place = Monrovia, Liberia

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lbs = 204

| high_school = Ladue Horton Watkins {{nowrap|(Ladue, Missouri, U.S.)}}

| college = Michigan

| draftyear = 2017

| draftround = 4

| draftpick = 139

| pastteams =

Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2017}})
Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})
New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2020}})*

| status =

| highlights =

First-team All-Big Ten (2015)

| statlabel1 = Receptions

| statvalue1 = 3

| statlabel2 = Receiving yards

| statvalue2 = 25

| statlabel3 = Return yards

| statvalue3 = 65

}}

Jehu Femi Chesson II (born 29 December 1993) is a Liberian former professional football wide receiver. He played college football at Michigan, and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He owns the school record for most receiving touchdowns in a game, tied with Derrick Alexander with four. His 207 receiving yards against Indiana during the 2015 season also ranks as the third-highest total in school history.

Early life

Chesson was born in Monrovia, Liberia, on 29 December 1993, and grew up during the First Liberian Civil War. His father, Jehu Chesson Sr., worked in the financial industry but joined Lutheran World Service as a relief worker during the war. Chesson moved with his family to neighboring Côte d'Ivoire at the age of two and then to St. Louis, Missouri, three years later, where his father took a job working for MasterCard.{{Cite news |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2015/08/03/ums-jehu-chesson-living-his-american-dream/31077031/ |title=UM's Jehu Chesson living his American dream |last=Angelique S. Chengelis |date=3 August 2015 |work=The Detroit News}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.stlamerican.com/diversity/article_d9285248-d71c-11e1-93c5-0019bb2963f4.html |title=Lifting Employees of African Descent' at MasterCard |date=26 July 2012 |work=St. Louis American}}

Chesson grew up in St. Louis and began playing American football in the eighth grade.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080315aaa.html |title=Chesson is Hard to Beat in Many Ways |last=Steve Kornacki |date=3 August 2015 |website=Mgoblue.com |publisher=University of Michigan}} He attended Ladue Horton Watkins High School where he played at the wide receiver position. He caught 53 passes for 757 yards as a senior, and he was selected as a first-team All-Missouri player. He was also the Missouri high school champion in the 300-meter hurdles in 2011.{{Cite news |url=http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/michigan-commit-jehu-chesson-hoping-track-exploits-translate-to-football-field/ |title=Michigan commit Jehu Chesson hopes track exploits translate to football field |last=Kyle Meinke |date=30 May 2012 |work=The Ann Arbor News}}

College career

A 3-star wide receiver recruit, Chesson accepted a scholarship to play football at the University of Michigan over offers from Iowa, Missouri, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, and Purdue, among others. https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/jehu-chesson-15288?view=pv As a freshman in 2012, he redshirted and did not see game action. As a sophomore in 2013, he had a 33-yard touchdown on his first collegiate reception and caught 15 passes for 221 yards.{{cite web | last=Walks | first=Matt | title=Two-Star Tuesday: Jehu Chesson can't stop scoring touchdowns | website=ESPN.com | date=2015-11-17 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/120635/two-star-tuesday-jehu-chesson-cant-stop-scoring-touchdowns | access-date=2025-04-29}} As a junior in 2014, he caught 14 passes for 154 yards.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jehu_chesson_810567.html |title=Jehu Chesson Bio |publisher=University of Michigan |access-date=14 November 2015}}

Chesson also saw action on kickoff returns, and in a 10 October 2015 game, against Northwestern, he returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown.{{Cite news |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/10/watch_jehu_chessons_96-yard_ki.html |title=Watch Jehu Chesson's 96-yard kickoff return for TD to start Michigan-Northwestern |last=Aaron McMann |date=10 October 2015 |work=Mlive.com}} Chesson's return against Northwestern was the first kickoff returned for a touchdown by a Michigan player since Darryl Stonum accomplished the feat in 2009 against Notre Dame.{{Cite news |url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2015/10/11/michigan-wolverines-jehu-chesson-northwestern-wildcats/73767174/ |title=U-M notes: Jehu Chesson's kick return sets tone early |last=Mark Snyder |date=11 October 2015 |work=Detroit Free Press}}

On 14 November 2015, Chesson had a breakout game, catching 10 passes for 207 yards and four touchdowns against Indiana.{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/2977631/jehu-chesson |title=Jehu Chesson Game By Game Stats |access-date=15 November 2015 |work=ESPN.com}} Three of the four touchdowns were scored in the first half, and the fourth came on a fourth-down play with two seconds remaining in regulation and Michigan trailing 34 to 27.{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=14130981 |title=Chesson saves Michigan with 4th TD |date=14 November 2015 |access-date=26 November 2019 |work=ESPN.com}} Chesson's 207 receiving yards ranks as the third highest single-game total in Michigan football history. He also tied Derrick Alexander's Michigan single-game record of four receiving touchdowns set in 1992.{{Cite news |url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2015/11/15/michigan-wolverines-jehu-chesson-school-record/75820688/ |title=U-M notes: Chesson catches four TDs, ties school record |last=Mark Snyder |date=15 November 2015 |work=Detroit Free Press}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111415aaa.html |title=Record Days from Rudock, Chesson Help U-M Outlast IU in Double OT |date=14 November 2015 |website=Mgoblue.com |publisher=University of Michigan |access-date=15 November 2015 |archive-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116190828/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111415aaa.html |url-status=dead }} He was subsequently named the Co-Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Week, along with Jake Rudock. Chesson and Rudock became the second-ever pair of teammates in conference history to share the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Award.{{Cite news |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111615aac.html |title=Rudock, Chesson Share Big Ten Weekly Offensive Honor |date=16 November 2015 |work=MGoBlue.com |access-date=16 November 2015 |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117144508/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111615aac.html |url-status=dead }}

During the 2015 season, Chesson led Michigan with 1,085 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. He established new career highs with 50 receptions and 764 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. He also had 166 return yards and one touchdown on four kick returns and 155 rushing yards and two touchdowns on eight carries (19.4 yards per carry).{{Cite web |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/stats/season_stats_20160102aaa.pdf |title=2015 Michigan Football: Michigan Overall Team Statistics (as of Jan 01, 2016) All games |publisher=University of Michigan |access-date=1 January 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142454/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/stats/season_stats_20160102aaa.pdf |url-status=dead }} Following the 2015 season, Chesson was named to the All-Big Ten offensive first-team, and was awarded the Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player Award, by his teammates.{{Cite news |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120715aac.html |title=Chesson's Selection as Team MVP Highlights Awards at Bust |date=7 December 2015 |work=MGoBlue.com |access-date=7 December 2015 |publisher=CBS Interactive}}

As a fifth-year senior in 2016, Chesson was voted Honorable Mention All-Big Ten, playing in 13 games with 7 starts at wide receiver, recording 35 catches for 500 yards and two touchdowns, along with 12 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/jehu-chesson/1406

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 2 7/8

| weight = 204

| dash = 4.46

| ten split = 1.65

| twenty split = 2.60

| shuttle = 4.09

| cone drill = 6.70

| vertical = 39.5

| broad ft = 11

| broad in = 0

| bench = 13

| arm span = 33 1/4

| hand span = 9 1/8

| wonderlic =

| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jehu-chesson/32004348-4558-2035-37ba-7b9e42d39237 |title=Jehu Chesson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=24 September 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.chiefs.com/video/chiefs-select-jehu-chesson-no-139-in-the-2017-nfl-draft-18801230 |title=Chiefs select Jehu Chesson No. 139 in the 2017 NFL Draft |website=Chiefs.com |access-date=3 December 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Jehu Chesson 2017 NFL Draft Profile |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/51584 |access-date=3 December 2023 |website=insider.espn.com}}{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Scout Jehu Chesson College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=122412&DraftYear=2017 |access-date=3 December 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}

}}

=Kansas City Chiefs=

File:Jehu Chesson.JPG

Chesson was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round, 139th overall, in the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite news |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042917aag.html |title=Quartet of Wolverines Go So Far on Third Day of NFL Draft |date=29 April 2017 |work=MGoBlue.com |access-date=29 April 2017 |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622183228/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042917aag.html |archive-date=22 June 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2017/4/29/15484710/nfl-draft-results-chiefs-trade-up-and-pick-michigan-wr-jehu-chesson-in-fourth-round |title=NFL draft results: Chiefs trade up and pick Michigan WR Jehu Chesson in fourth round |last=Thorman, Joel |date=29 April 2017 |website=ArrowheadPride.com |access-date=7 May 2017}} In Week 9, against the Dallas Cowboys, he recorded a 10-yard reception for the first catch of his NFL career.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201711050dal.htm |title=Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys - November 5th, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=6 November 2017}} He finished his rookie season with two receptions for 18 yards and no touchdowns. He was waived on 1 September 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-roster-down-to-nfl-mandated-53 |title=Chiefs Roster Down to NFL-Mandated 53 |date=1 September 2018 |website=Chiefs.com}}

=Washington Redskins=

Chesson was signed to the practice squad of the Washington Redskins on 5 September 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-josh-keyes-place-byron-marshall-on-injured-reserve |title=Redskins Sign Josh Keyes, Place Byron Marshall On Injured Reserve |website=Redskins.com |access-date=6 September 2018}} He was promoted to the active roster on 12 September 2018, but was waived on 17 September and returned to the practice squad the following day.{{Cite web |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-jehu-chesson-to-active-roster-place-trey-quinn-on-injured-reserve |title=Redskins Sign Jehu Chesson To Active Roster, Place Trey Quinn On Injured Reserve |date=12 September 2018 |website=Redskins.com |access-date=12 September 2018 |archive-date=13 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913003958/https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-jehu-chesson-to-active-roster-place-trey-quinn-on-injured-reserve |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/9-17-redskins-make-roster-move |title=9/17: Redskins Make Roster Move |website=Redskins.com |access-date=17 September 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-breshad-perriman-and-michael-floyd-place-rob-kelley-on-injured-res |title=Redskins Sign Breshad Perriman And Michael Floyd, Place Rob Kelley On Injured Reserve |website=Redskins.com |access-date=18 September 2018}} He was promoted to the active roster again on 18 October after injuries to Jamison Crowder and Paul Richardson.{{Cite web |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-jehu-chesson-to-the-active-roster |title=Redskins Sign Jehu Chesson To The Active Roster |date=18 October 2018 |website=Redskins.com |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-date=19 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019003122/https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-jehu-chesson-to-the-active-roster |url-status=dead }}

Chesson was waived on 31 August 2019, but was signed to the practice squad the following day.{{Cite web |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-make-roster-moves-53-man-roster |title=Redskins Make Roster Moves |date=31 August 2019 |website=Redskins.com |access-date=2 September 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-nine-players-to-practice-squad |title=Redskins Sign Nine Players To Practice Squad |date=1 September 2019 |website=Redskins.com |access-date=2 September 2019}} His practice squad contract with the team expired on 6 January 2020.{{cite tweet |user=HBalzer721 |title=Redskins practice-squad contracts expired Monday: WR Jehu Chesson; RB Derrick Gore; LBs Cassanova McKinzy, Pete Robertson; TE Keith Trowbridge; DT JoJo Wicker. |number=1214637808549343232 |date=7 January 2020 |accessdate=9 January 2020}}

=New York Jets=

Chesson signed a futures contract with the New York Jets on 9 January 2020.{{cite web |title=Jets Sign WR Jehu Chesson to Reserve/Future Contract |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-wr-jehu-chesson-to-reserve-future-contract |website=NewYorkJets.com |access-date=9 January 2020}} He was waived on 5 September 2020.{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Randy |date=5 September 2020 |title=Jets Move 27 to Get Their Roster to 53-Player Limit |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-53-man-roster-2020-season |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}