June 3, 2009

Lamar head football coach Ray Woodard has announced that former Beaumont West Brook standout Billy Chavis has transferred to Lamar and will be a member of the school's football program beginning this fall.

Chavis has spent the last two seasons at Texas A&M where he appeared in 11 games under coaches Dennis Franchione and Mike Sherman. He saw playing time on the defensive side of the ball, logging action at defensive end, linebacker and safety for the Aggies.

He collected four tackles as a true freshman in 2007, including three solos and forced a fumble at Miami and one assisted stop against Penn State in the Alamo Bowl. As a sophomore he made three tackles while seeing time against Kansas, Oklahoma and Baylor.

"We are getting a good player but a player who wants to come home," Woodard said. "That's why we brought football back - to get young men from this area who want to play football."

Chavis was a Class 5A honorable mention all-state selection as a senior in 2006 after recording 98 tackles and five sacks at linebacker for the Bruins. He was also a three-time all-district honoree while playing quarterback, running back and wide receiver. He was a two-time member of the Port Arthur News' Super Team and the Beaumont Enterprise's Super Gold Team

Chavis also commented on the excitement of playing for the only Division I football program in Southeast Texas.

"It's great to have a program in Beaumont," said Chavis, who is listed at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds. "Had they had a program four or five years ago I am sure that myself and quite a few others (in the area) would have considered playing at Lamar to stay closer to home.

"And you can already see from the first prep signing class how coach Woodard and his staff have secured some of the best talent this region has to offer."