Chevis feels at home because he finally is
As a kid, Reggie Chevis would sneak into football games by squeezing through a hole in a gate outside the University of Houston’s Robertson Stadium.
“I would find a way each time to get into the game and watch for free,” Chevis said.
At the time, few knew what kind of impact those Saturdays would have on a young boy who grew up in the Third Ward area around campus, played football at Sharpstown High School and eventually at Texas A&M.
When the opportunity arose in the offseason, Chevis made the decision to leave College Station as a graduate transfer and come home and play for the same program he grew up watching.
“It was big then to see,” said Chevis, a 6-2, 290-pound defensive end. “How time has changed for me — to go from a kid sneaking in a game to playing and my family coming to see me. It’s crazy.”
Chevis was regarded as one of the top inside linebacker prospects in the nation for the class of 2013 when he signed with the Aggies. He eventually made the move to defensive tackle, playing in a career-high 13 games last season.
All the while, Chevis admits watching the Cou-
gars from afar and, even after a redshirt freshman season, thinking about coming home. The urge intensified the last few years with the Cougars’ success and hearing the program’s “For the City” catchphrase.
“I felt I should’ve been home,” he said. “I wanted to come home.”
Make no mistake: Chevis has no regrets about his four seasons in at Texas A&M. But before he could entertain the idea of leaving, Chevis said he had a promise to fulfill to his grandmother, Barbara Govan.
“I told my grandmother that I wouldn’t leave Texas A&M without graduating,” he said. “So, of course, I got my degree and the opportunity was there.”
Chevis has started both games for the Cougars, including his first at home in Saturday’s 38-3 victory over Rice in the Bayou Bucket. His arrival this offseason helped ease UH’s blow of losing starter Jerard Carter (foot) until at least midseason and an enrollment snafu that forced incoming freshman Bryan Jones to sit this season.
Upon arrival, Chevis credited All-American defensive tackle Ed Oliver with helping him ease into his new surroundings.
“We talk a lot,” Chevis said. “When I first got here, he helped me. He helped bring me along and pushed me through summer and fall camp. We got real tight over these couple of months.”
After playing in the rugged SEC, Chevis said Oliver stacks up “very, very well” against the talent from what many consider the Power Five conference.
“I love Ed,” Chevis said. “He has a motor like no other. He has a spirit like no other. He goes hard. I played around some great players, and he’s definitely one of them.”
Oliver credits Chevis’ experience and sense of humor for helping bring the team together.
“Reggie is kind of the paw-paw of the team,” Oliver said. “He kind of brought the team closer together since he got here. He’s really like a cornerstone of the team.”
Chevis has made another type of impression on teammates with his long dreadlocks and thick beard that makes him look years older.
“They call me Old Man,” he said. “Moses out of the Bible. Jesus. I get it all. I’m taking it in.”
Years in the making, Chevis said he’s finally home.
“I’m happy here,” he said. “I love my new teammates. I love the camaraderie. It’s different to be back home in the city and to be in Third Ward where I’m actually from. There’s so much emotion that goes into the game and goes into me coming out on this practice field.”
Only this time, Chevis doesn’t have to squeeze through a hole in the fence.
He can walk through the front door.