HOUSTON – K’Lavon Chaisson is embracing his new surroundings with the Carolina Panthers, and the North Shore graduate is determined to show how his athleticism and relentless style can translate to instant production with his new football team.
Signed to a one-year, $5 million contract in March, the former Jacksonville Jaguars first-round draft pick and LSU star is working diligently to establish himself on the Panthers defense after recording five sacks, 73 tackles, 11 tackles for losses, 23 quarterback hits and two pass deflections in four seasons in the AFC South.
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“I’m real appreciative because it’s everything I could have asked for from a fresh start,” Chaisson told KPRC 2. “It’s a true opportunity to establish an identity for a team, city and culture, so it’s everything I could ask for.”
The Jaguars declined to exercise his fifth-year option, and Chaisson hit free agency after starting 11 of 57 career games. He had a career-high two sacks last season with eight quarterback hits. He played 51 percent of the defensive snaps as a rookie and had one sack and nine quarterback hits and played 39 percent of the snaps in 2021 with one sack and four quarterback hits. In 2022, he was limited to nine games because of injuries and had one sack and two quarterback hits.
Chaisson is determined to show what he can do and justify the Panthers’ investment. At age 24 and fully healthy, Chaisson has a ton of upside still after winning a national championship as an All-Southeastern Conference performer at LSU where he had 92 career tackles, 19 for losses, 9 1/2 sacks and one forced fumble.
“They’re getting a complete player and they’re getting a winner,” Chaisson said. “That’s the most important thing is the W column. I got used to winning in high school and college. It’s a mindset and acknowledgement of the grind it takes to reach a certain level and make a certain impact. It’s about competition.
“They’re getting someone who is truly loyal and respects the game, a true rarity. All in all, they’re getting a complete player, a complete person and human that comes with it. I feel like I have every tool it takes to be a great player.
Towering, chiseled and a natural pass rusher, Chaisson was molded by his father until his tragic death.
A former Baylor starting linebacker and three-time all-district selection at Smiley High School, Kelvin Chaisson was shot and killed by his girlfriend during a domestic dispute in November 2014. He was only 33 years old.
“Man, that hit me hard,” said Chaisson, who was a sophomore at North Shore when his father was killed. “I value everybody so much harder to this day. Before that, I was more go with the flow. As much as I can now, I come home to be with my family. It helped me on the field as well.
“When I say I give everything I’ve got, I mean it. You never know when it’s your last play or your last day. I wouldn’t want to leave any regrets. I’m 100 percent sure if my father could come back, he would change some things and try to leave everything on the table. That’s what I want to do.”
Tragedy has shaped K’Lavon (pronounced (KAY-luh-vahn) Chaisson, making him even more determined to embrace every moment.
Whether that’s chasing down quarterbacks, spending time with his mother — who raised him as a single parent — or his grandparents, Gary and Mirrian Glover, or helping the homeless in Houston and Baton Rouge, La., Chaisson wants to honor his father’s memory and make him proud.
“That’s my biggest motivation, because I always want to make him proud,” Chaisson said. “For some reason, I felt like I’ve never fulfilled his needs, just feedback from him on what you can improve on. I want to make him the happiest man in the world. I represent him and my family the best I can off the field, in the classroom and on the field.
“He made it to the collegiate level. He didn’t get to finish. He pushed me all through middle school and Little League to play hard, regardless of the situation. One thing you can control is effort. That’s something he preached, and I keep that in mind every moment I’m on the field.”
Chaisson was an honor roll student and team captain who wore the coveted No. 18 jersey LSU gives to a player who best represents the program on and off the field.
He was offered a scholarship by LSU before he ever took a varsity snap in high school. That occurred while he was attending the Tigers’ summer camp with a friend.
As a high school junior, Chaisson was named the defensive MVP of the Class 6A Division I state championship game after posting four tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble in North Shore’s 21-14 overtime victory over Austin Westlake. As a senior, he led the state with 15½ sacks to go with 13 tackles for losses, 50 tackles and three forced fumbles.
In a playoff rout over Oklahoma last season, Chaisson had six tackles and two sacks and was named the defensive MVP.
“K’s potential is off the roof,” said Rischad “Footwork King” Whitfield, who has trained Chaisson.
Chaisson has a generous nature, frequently giving out food to the underprivileged.
“I was talking to my mother about that. It’s a guilt in me,” Chaisson said. “I always have to give something. I don’t do this for attention or personal recognition.
“Every time I see someone in that situation, I try to loop around and bring some food back or tell them to meet me at whatever restaurant and help put them in a safe and better place.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.