Jouberts preparing for Mustang football

In about six months, many high school seniors will be going to college to play football at the division I level. Even though the football season is over, it's the work that they do between now and then that will determine who will automatically be ahead of the game in June.

That's the mindset that Duncanville wide receiver Chayse Joubert has. The SMU commitment already knows that he has a free ride with the Mustangs, but that isn't enough.

"I'm just getting ready now," said Joubert. "I'm developing and continuing to work on my craft. I've just been grinding lately in the weight room and running really hard."

It's a tough and grueling workout that Joubert puts his body through six days a week with the help of Rod Jones, an ex-NFL player and Joubert's personal trainer.

"Monday's the hardest day because it's the most running that we do all week. Tuesday and Wednesday we mostly run but do other stuff as well. Thursday and Friday I hit the weight room and then Sunday I do catch drills."

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound wideout had offers to both SMU and Miami. In the end, Joubert committed to SMU a few days after he received the offer. He considers it a blessing to be able to play for the Mustangs and wants to make the best of it.

"I'm living the dream. Not a lot of people have the opportunity to play college football, especially for a coach like June Jones. If he's going to give me the opportunity to play for him then I'm going to work hard for him. I don't' want to get up there and be a bust. I want to do everything I can to get on the field. If I can't play this year then I want to play as soon as I can."

On Sunday evening, defensive back coach Derrick Odum made his way over to the Joubert household for the first time. Playing time is one of the topics that came up in conversation.

"Coach Jones and the whole coaching staff always say that the best players will play. If I work hard enough, I might be able to see the field next year. If I don't see the field next year, it won't bother me. My attitude isn't going to change. I'm going to take what's given to me and work with it."

Odum's visit got Joubert even more excited about being a Mustang and moving to the Hilltop. The two-star recruit is just anxious to help his team any way that he can. He'll sign on the dotted line to make it official in early February.