Tahj Chambers: Ole Miss ‘where linebackers are built to succeed’
Tahj Chambers found himself as a football player at Missouri State.
He transferred to Ole Miss to take his game to the next level.
The Rebels have the nation’s No. 2 transfer class, including three linebackers, among them Chambers. Chambers went from a wide receiver/too-thin linebacker in high school to a three-year starter for the Bears.
He earned All-MVFC.
“When I was taking visits when I was in the transfer portal I just was looking for a place where I can excel at my position,” Chambers said this week. “Ole Miss just has a great defensive line, and it’s a place where linebackers are built to succeed.
“My goal to end all is to go to the NFL. Me coming here and getting all the accolades I got last year and coming into this year, I’m just trying to do the same thing I did last year at a bigger level so I could get seen by the NFL scouts.”
Ole Miss is in its fourth full week of spring football.
The Rebels next practice on Thursday and host ‘Meet the Rebels,’ a team meet-and-greet, on Saturday. The event is returning after a six-year hiatus and in lieu of a traditional spring game.
Chambers, Marshall’s Jaden Yates and Grambling State’s Andrew Jones have all stepped into a defense that no longer has leading tackler Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul. Second-leading tackler TJ Dottery has been in a black jersey, indicating injury designation, all spring.
“It’s been great for those new guys,” now-sixth-year Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said. “Three new guys that have played a lot in there. So, that’s been a really good opportunity for them. Tyler Banks has been really good for us. We just look at the positives of it, and when (injured LBs Dottery and Suntarine Perkins) are back, they’ll be back.”
Chambers had 196 career tackles at Missouri State.
He totaled 88 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery last season. He’s up to 17 TFLs, three sacks, eight QBHs and a pair of interceptions for his career.
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Chambers was a captain his final season with the Bears.
“I feel like the run aspect of the game is pretty much similar,” Chambers said of the step up to the SEC level. “The outside perimeter aspect of the game is a little bit different — more speed out there, taller guys out there (and) more athletes on the field. That’s pretty much it, though. The interior is pretty much the same.”
Chambers said the competition has been fierce with first-year quarterback Austin Simmons and the Ole Miss offense this spring.
“It’s competitive,” he said. “I love how he talks back and forth to the defense. It’s a fun atmosphere playing against him.
“Pete Golding is a genius. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. Having him as the (defensive coordinator) and the position coach is just helping us understand the whole defensive concept in general, and especially as linebackers, we can help the other guys out when they need it.”
