Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase shared a story of how he almost played cornerback instead of wide receiver when former LSU head coach Les Miles recruited him.

“I can tell you honestly, one of my best stories ever,” Chase explained. “Les Miles told me I couldn’t play receiver when I was coming out of high school. So that was something I had on my shoulders growing up. Les Miles told me he thought I could play cornerback. I wasn’t really at the full position of receiver yet, so I just kept working at my craft in the offseason, waking up early in the mornings to work out. I just kept focused.”

Chase was a No. 5 pick by the Bengals in the 2021 NFL Draft and has made 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is one of the current favorite candidates for the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

After joining former LSU teammate Joe Burrow in Cincinnati, he led the Bengals to the AFC North title. The team is now one win away from making it to the Super Bowl.

Back at LSU, Chase did not end up playing for Miles as he was sacked in September 2016. Ed Orgeron took over for the 2017 season when Chase entered the program. Chase then had 84 receptions for 1,780 yards with 20 touchdowns in LSU’s national championship season in 2019.