When Chase Claypool realized the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted him, he received a congratulatory text from Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
A few moments later, Steelers top wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster messaged Claypool with positive words.
Immediately, the Abbotsford, British Columbia native embraced the Pittsburgh Steelers’ illustrious culture.
A franchise with a storied history (six Super Bowls), Claypool is eager for the new challenge.
“They’ve been really good about reaching out and making this pretty special,” said Claypool to Pittsburgh Steelers reporters.
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Claypool played high school football at Abbotsford Secondary School. According to Jay Fujimura, head coach at Abbotsford, Claypool coupled his speed with physicality in his high school years.
“Watching him at a young age, he had a lot of body control and his toughness/competitiveness set him apart,” Fujimura said. “He was always quick and explosive but it wasn’t until high school that he got bigger and stronger.”
Unlike many top football prospects, who transfer to preparatory schools in the United States before going to play in the NCAA, Claypool wanted to stay home. He desired to complete what he had started at Abbotsford, regardless of where it led him.
In his senior year of high school, Claypool was the top player in the province. Even with two or three players covering Claypool, he still managed to beat the defenders over the top to make catches. His intensity on the field, combined with his energy in the locker room, made Claypool an ideal teammate at Abbotsford.
“He’s quite a personable guy,” Fujimura said. “On the field, he went after it and made big plays. He was a team guy who relished the opportunity to win.”
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Fujimura recalls one game that stands out because of Claypool’s willingness to adapt to win the game. Abbotsford was playing one of its high school rivals, Mission Secondary. It was pouring rain, with the heavy wind blowing the droplets sideways. Both teams had trouble passing the football due to the difficult weather conditions.
Claypool played various positions at Abbotsford: wide receiver, special teams, quarterback. Running back wasn’t in his repertoire until that game against Mission Secondary. When Fujimura made the adjustment to run the football, Claypool gained an average of five yards per carry. In the end, Abbotsford pulled out the win, and Claypool was celebrated for his versatility.
“If we had to move Chase to a different position, he would do it,” Fujimura said. “That game showed his toughness, doing whatever it takes to win.”
Not only was Claypool’s intangibles special but also his dedication to learning and improving his game. When he arrived at the University of Notre Dame, the Canadian knew there was a learning curve to becoming a top wide receiver. From studying his opponents to changing up his speed on routes, Claypool experienced a similar growth with the Fighting Irish as his tenure with Abbotsford Secondary.
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Last season, Claypool had 66 receptions for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns. His acceleration allows him to make contested catches, presenting a matchup problem for opposing defenders. Because of his size (6’4″, 238 pounds), Claypool can also be effective blocking as a tight end. Running a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the combine impressed many scouts, particularly given Claypool’s size.
“I was really excited when he ran a sub-4.4 at the combine,” said Randy Fichtner, the Steelers’ offensive coordinator, to Ed Bouchette of The Athletic. “That downhill speed and couple that with his size and ability to win one-on-one, that brings a lot to us.”
As Claypool prepares for his next challenge, he is going to an organization that possesses a rich history with wide receivers. From Lynn Swann and John Stallworth to Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, Claypool is looking to contribute on a pass-heavy offense.
But the 21-year-old still remains close to his roots. Whenever there was a break at Notre Dame, Claypool flew up to Abbotsford, seeing his alma mater play games while helping out Fujimura and the current team.
With greater awareness placed on young Canadian football talent, it may not be long before Claypool is the player to send text messages to future NFL draftees.
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