ASU football defensive back Chase Lucas was enamored with UCLA after he visited the school with his mom, but Valerie preached prudence and he listened
Mom knows best: How the mom of ASU football's Chase Lucas stopped him from attending UCLA ASU football defensive back Chase Lucas was enamored with UCLA after he visited the school with his mom, but Valerie preached prudence and he listened Check out this story on azcentral.com: http://azc.cc/2Atd1sv
Chase Lucas doesn’t lack confidence. In his first season, the redshirt-freshman has injected some swag into Arizona State’s developing defense. As a cornerback, that’s part of the job, but mostly, it’s just who Lucas is.
But the Chandler High product also isn’t afraid to give credit where it's due. And with the Sun Devils visiting UCLA on Saturday, Lucas credits his mom for making one of the biggest decisions of his life.
In the spring of his junior year, Lucas had wanted to commit to the Bruins. In fact, Valerie Lucas pretty much stopped the words from coming out of his mouth.
Here’s how it happened: In the spring of 2015, Lucas and his mom traveled to a high school combine in Redondo Beach, Calif. While there, Valerie told Lucas they might as well take unofficial visits to USC and UCLA.
The Bruins treated Lucas like a big man on campus, driving him around in a golf cart. Plus, there was a Chandler connection that day. Former Chandler High quarterback Brett Hundley – who had just finished his UCLA career – had his pro day. In addition, Chandler alum Paul Perkins served as Lucas’ host.
At one point, coach Jim Mora and his offensive staff took Lucas and his mom into a film room and turned on Lucas’ highlight video. They wanted Lucas to play slot receiver – Lucas had played offense his entire high school career -- and they were convinced he could make a difference.
“This is exactly what we need,” said a coach, according to Valerie’s memory. “We need a guy of your caliber to come into this program and turn it around.”
Arizona State University's Chase Lucas (#24) was the last player to leave the field as he celebrates with fans their football game victory against University of Washington on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports)
Valerie and Lucas are close. She had him when she was 20 and raised him by herself. She instilled a strong sense of self in her son. During those early years, Valerie never drove the nicest car and Lucas never wore the nicest clothes, but it never seemed to bother him. Classmates would ask: Where’d you get your shorts, Chase? And Lucas would proudly answer: “Walmart, dude.”
Mother and son share the same sense of humor, catching themselves laughing when others are not. They also both can be impulsive. Valerie isn’t ashamed to admit: She’s a horrible consumer, so in the back of her mind, Valerie knew this was something she probably had passed down to Lucas.
She had nothing against UCLA. The area was beautiful. Earlier, driving down Rodeo Drive, she took in Beverly Hills while Lucas looked at his cell phone. This was paradise. She knew Lucas would love it. Not just for the football, but also for the location. Lucas always had been a beach kid. Here, the ocean was just a short drive away.
But she didn’t want Lucas to rush. Since he was as young as 5, he had told people his goal was to one day play professional football. “So cute,” they would say. “Seriously, what do you want to do?” But this felt like walking onto a car lot. The salesman was offering all the perks and Lucas was nodding enthusiastically, oblivious to the cost.
Arizona State defensive back Chase Lucas breaks up a pass intended for Colorado wide receiver Bryce Bobo on Sat. Oct. 4, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 41-30. (Photo: Matt York/Associated Press)
“Coaches, I’m so glad to be here," he said. "I appreciate everything you've done so today I want to …”
Valerie reached out and grabbed the hair on her son’s leg and pulled. When she got a better grip, she grabbed Lucas’ calf muscle and twisted. Lucas looked like he had just been bitten by a rattlesnake. He glared at his mom.
Lucas was peeved. After the visit, Valerie drove two-and-a-half hours to San Diego. Lucas never said a word. They stopped for dinner.
“Chase, trust me,'' Valerie said. "You’re going to be fine. If you really want to commit to them after you see what these other schools have to offer, I would love that.”
Lucas visited other schools. Oregon State was tempting, but Lucas realized his mom wouldn't be able to attend many games. He held off until Nov. 9 of his senior season -- and then he committed to ASU, a school close to his family.
Lucas spent last season learning to play corner. This season, after a slow start, he’s become a key piece on ASU's improving defense. Looking back, he admits: It's crazy how things have turned out. And how at that one moment, with a strong pinch, his mom saved him from rushing an important decision.
"It was cool to sit there and feel like the man and then get punked by your mom," Lucas said. "... I’m glad she did that, though, because I’m here. I’m balling, and now I get to go over there and get this 'W' against them. Now they know what they lost."