Like father like son.
Albert Chester II, the highly touted quarterback from Jacksonville, will also be a signal caller in Bragg Stadium, a quarter of a century after his father led FAMU to its first ever Division I-AA national title.
On Wednesday, National Signing Day, Chester made it official when he signed a letter of intent to play with FAMU. He was a three-year starter at Jacksonville’s Episcopal High, leading them to a 21-1 record over the last two seasons, and earning two all-state selections.
As a senior Chester completed 61 percent of his passes, and threw for 1,916 yards and 22 touchdowns. He rushed for 517 yards and 10 more touchdowns. Chester was named Offensive Player of the Year by the Florida Times-Union.
Chester’s father Albert played quarterback at FAMU (1975-1978) and was a three-year starter. He quarterbacked FAMU to an undefeated season (11-0) in 1977 as FAMU was crowned “Black College National Champions.”
“We’re fired up,” the elder Chester said. “He had a super high school career and we are proud and happy.”
FAMU coach Billy Joe said the staff is excited about the addition of Chester.
“He’s an outstanding quarterback and is academically oriented,” Joe said.
“He will be given every opportunity to play quarterback here.”
After weighing all of his options, the younger Chester decided that FAMU was the best place for him.
“It was about me being comfortable with Tallahassee,” Chester said. “It’s like a second home to me. I’ve been going to the games since I was little boy.”
Holding a 3.5 GPA in the classroom, the younger Chester’s desire to study pharmacy was also an important factor in his decision and he felt FAMU’s program was one of the best in the country.
The signing also bucks the trend that FAMU had established in recent years of relying on transfer quarterbacks to come in and contribute immediately.
“We’d much rather have a high school student than a junior college transfer,” Joe said. “We had Quinn Gray for five years and he started for three. Hopefully he [Chester] can be here that long and become a serious contributor.”