After finishing up the required courses that will allow him to enroll at Penn State this fall, the defensive tackle out of Richmond, Va. will be a much needed addition to the front four. Chavis signed a letter of intent to join the Nittany Lions in February but his academic status was up in the air until this week.

Chavis began his college career with Virginia, where he redshirted as a freshman. He then went to Nassau Community College for two years where he played well, garnering all-conference second-team in his first season and making the all-conference first-team last year. The 6’3” 305 pound defensive tackle is expected to be ready to contribute immediately. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Chavis will join Curtis Cothran and Parker Cothren to make three upperclassmen at defensive tackle for the Lions. With Brenon Thrift and Antoine White, two redshirt sophomores, Penn State now has five experienced players available to fill two spots on the interior line.

With offers from Texas, Auburn, Miami (FL), West Virginia and others, Chavis had options outside of Happy Valley but chose to play in front of the best fans in all of college football.

Ranked in the low 30’s for all JUCO players by recruiting experts, he is the fourth-best defensive tackle prospect. Whether Chavis is a starter or a key fixture in the rotation will be determined in fall practices, which begin Thursday night.

Welcome aboard, Tyrell!