Chester’s first visit yields new insights

DJ Chester was an unknown, unrecruited lineman last summer when his Eagles Landing Christian team attended an Auburn Elite Camp.

He left something bigger.

The versatile offensive lineman met Auburn assistant Will Friend at the camp and the two remained in contact through the 2021 season and into the spring. Chester’s reputation grew after a fine high school season and now he’s a three-star recruit with a growing list of big-time suitors.

Still, Chester appreciates Friend’s fidelity.

“It just shows how interested he was in me,” Chester said after his official visit Sunday. “I really love Auburn. They’re one of a few schools I really like.”

Chester, who measured 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds this weekend, still is getting used to being a pursued player. This time last summer, he was hoping one major-conference school would be willing to take a chance on him. Now he’s in position to make his own choices about which schools to consider.

It’s different, he said, but he’s not taking the interest for granted.

“It’s been humbling. I feel like nothing’s changed (with me),” he said. “It’s made me want to work harder now that I have a target on my back. Everybody knows who I am now at this point. It makes me want to prove that I can do this and that I’m better than (observers) say I am.”

Chester has played both tackle positions and both guard positions during the past two years. He’s tall enough and long enough to play tackle, but also has the kind of straight-ahead power to succeed at guard. For his part, Chester said he considers himself whatever his coach said he is that day.

“I don’t even know where I’m (playing) sometimes,” he said with a laugh.

This was Chester’s first official visit, but he wasn’t a stranger. Friend talked Chester into making an unofficial visit during spring practice in March. This time, the lineman said he enjoyed catching up with current Auburn players Kam Stutts, Keiondre “K.J.” Jones and Damari Alston.

Stutts was of particular interest since he served as Chester’s player host this weekend.

“He answered all the questions I had,” Chester said. “It went good. I love it here. It’s a really nice place.”

Chester plans to take more visits during the season and intends to make a decision after ELCA’s season ends.