The #2 Junior Defensive End In Virginia: Camden Chalkley

Camden Chalkley is a 3 Star recruit who plays Defensive End at Manchester High School. Chalkley is ranked as the 605th best recruit in the class of 2027 and is ranked as a top 60 Defensive End in the class as well. In addition, Chalkley is listed as a top 15 recruit in the state of Virginia and is listed as the #2 Defensive End in the state of Virginia. He holds offers from schools such as Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Virginia.

Who are some role models in your life?
Jesus Christ is the number one role model in my life. He has blessed me so much words can’t explain. I’m stronger, faster, and simply better with Him by my side. I can do all things with Christ by my side. But my mom is also a role model—she has been by my side through thick and thin, through all my struggles in life, she has been there for me.

What artists do you listen to pregame, to get you hyped up?
My top three artists for getting hyped pregame are Jeezy, Lil Tony, and G Herbo.

What are the strengths of your game?
I think strengths of my game include my speed off the ball and relentless pursuit of the QB/RO. I play until the whistle and leave my all on the field each and every game I play.

What is your favorite memory of your career?
My favorite moment of my athletic career is when we beat L.C. Bird my sophomore year. We had multiple injuries to some of our other starting D-line players, so I had to step up, played the best game of my career, and proved a lot of doubters wrong.

Who is the best player you have ever played with or played against in your career?
The best player I ever played with was Makai Byerson. He was “the guy” on the team going into my freshman year. He had a natural ability to dominate the competition and take over a game. He taught me a lot that year.

What is some advice you would give to an aspiring D1 athlete?
To any aspiring D1 athletes: Follow Christ, separate yourself from everyone on the field, and take school seriously. Without doing any one of those, you won’t have the long-term success you’re seeking. Make it clear why you deserve to go D1 and outwork everyone else around you.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If I could travel anywhere, it would be Rome. I love history, and the historical architecture over there is amazing. Plus, I love Italian food.

How old were you when you fell in love with the game?
I was 13 in 8th grade when I fell in love with the game. I had been playing since I was 6, but 8th grade is when I realized I wanted to do this at a pro level and that I had people to prove wrong. I fell in love with the grind and the hustle of the game and haven’t looked back since.

If you could meet one sports hero, who would it be?
If I could meet one sports hero, it would be Lawrence Taylor. He was the greatest defensive player to ever pick up a football. He’s the cornerstone for the Giants franchise (my favorite team) and he revolutionized the game.

What is your favorite sports moment, as a fan?
My favorite sports moment as a fan was watching the Giants beat the Vikings in the playoffs in 2022-2023. It was the first Giants playoff victory I truly watched, and I was turnt in my Saquon Barkley jersey.