ELITE+: QB Transfer Jack Chambers Excited About NC State Opportunity

Charleston Southern quarterback transfer Jack Chambers‍ has been in Raleigh for just a couple of days as he prepares for the start of the first summer session. He discussed NIL, his transfer decision, his playing style, and much more with Inside Pack Sports.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the discussion with Chambers. We’ve provided some select quotes below and made this Elite+ feature free.

Jack, you haven’t been in Raleigh long, so you haven't had a chance to experience a lot, but just your first couple days -- what's it been like being in town?
It's actually been amazing, just getting in with the guys. Very nice, very humbling guys... ready to work.

That's just something you all are going to see coming into a new team of guys embracing you, welcoming you in like you're family. And it's just been a good time ever since I got here.

The first question we've been getting a lot on our boards about you is, “Why?” You had carved out a major role at Charleston Southern. You were their guy at quarterback, had a lot of success. I think you told me you only had one year availability left, right?
Yes, sir.

Why did you look to make that move? What was it that played a role in your decision? And not necessarily just to pick NC State, but just even consider entering the portal for your final year.
Well, it was just, I enjoyed my time at Charleston Southern. It was a great program, great coach and great guys, but since I got there, everybody that came in with [me] is gone now. It's like a new team, new atmosphere, and I just thought it's just time for change.

I've been at Charleston Southern for five years. That's a whole career. It was just, I like a new scenery, new town, new city, new team. See what else I can do for my final year.

When you entered the portal, I don't know what type of expectations you might have had, but how was it for you? How did it play out?
Honestly, it's actually an exciting thing to do in the portal. I didn't know what to expect. My coach, he was just like, "Oh, Jack, you're going to love it. You're going to have some good schools coming after you,” and I didn't know what to expect.

It took awhile for it to get going because the portal was crazy. Multiple guys from every school was going in the portal, and I just stayed and waited my turn and then... schools started reaching out.

From there it was just pick the right fit.

Did you have early expectations at Charleston Southern?  You were multi-year starter. Did you come in expecting to be able to win that job right away or did you feel like you had to grind for it? 
At Charleston Southern, it's actually a different story. I came in and got greyshirt because I got hurt in my senior year of high school. The coaches there were amazing. They honored my scholarship. Let me come in there and just learn under a senior at the time.

Ee had two guys come in who were right after him... they were great mentors to me, but also allowed me to push myself to get to their level. From there on, it was my sophomore year, it was my time to go and I just had to be ready because we were always going through quarterbacks, three or four quarterbacks playing every season, so you always had to be ready.

You guys went into Greenville last year and nearly beat ECU, and this year NC State opens at ECU.  What was that experience like playing in Greenville, and obviously, almost leading them to a win?
It was a fun, exciting experience whenever you're a smaller school going into a bigger program, it's just being in an atmosphere that you're really not used to.

From when we first started, started off hot against them, and then it was different to see the crowd just quiet. It's something you're not used to, you're so excited to be out there.  ...It was just a great experience.

You guys also played Georgia, and you're smiling, but you were running for your life a lot that game, right?  You're a Georgia kid, going back to your home state, playing against Georgia, playing in that environment, what was that like?
It was a great experience. I had all my family and a lot of my friends come out and supporting me... just going against probably one of the best defenses in history.

It was a fun, exciting experience. Definitely would've liked to put more points up on the board, but it was just great being out there to see those guys flying around out there, but knowing that we could also compete and go against the best.

When you approach games like that, how is it mentally? How do you go in knowing you're a decided underdog, but you're still a competitor?
That's the thing. I am a competitor. It's just, I never go into a game thinking, "I'm going to lose. I'm already out of it,” because in that moment, you are out of the game. I always go in there with high hopes, prepare each week, make sure I'm mentally and physically ready to go, and the outcome, whatever it is, just know that I put in a full effort, I'll be satisfied.

When did you first start hearing from NC State and how did all that come about?
NC State was just a school that I actually sat down one day and made a list of teams and programs that I would be interested into going to and seeing just where it would be a great fit for me.

NC State was just a great fit. Close, I loved the city, and I looked at the coaches, saw the roster and I just thought, "Maybe this is a great fit for me."

Everything just took place.

I think you came up for a visit prior to making your decision.
It was actually a difficult thing because you don't really get to meet a lot of people. I just came here just ready to earn and.. I'm just here just to work and make sure I'm ready to go and just get prepared and be the best factor I could be.

Being on campus, seeing the facilities, did that lock up your decision?
It wasn't until I just got here recently where I really saw the facilities, met everybody, and from then on... I was already sold. It was just icing on the cake for me.

What was their pitch to you?
There wasn't a pitch. I just knew this was the right feeling for me, the right team, right program. I just couldn't wait to get here and get to work.

You've seen the success they had in 2021. What's your feeling going into something like this with a positive momentum they have going into this season?
Exciting. I'm so excited about it. Just can't wait to get out there, join the guys, work hard and do my part to be the best I can be for this team.

 One of the things I ask a lot of folks when we bring them in for these is their favorite spot in Raleigh. Is it too early?
[Laughing] Definitely too early.