Davie County's Chaffin Ready for 2025 Season

Elijah Chaffin, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound linebacker from the Davie County High School in Mocksville, NC is one of the top returning defensive players in the state. The class of 2027 standout was a terror on defense as he racked up 142 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 QB hurries, and an interception in his sophomore season for the War Eagles. The rising junior also excels in the classroom as well with a 4.6 GPA.

He is on a number of schools’ recruiting radar as he has 3 scholarship offers right now in Appalachian State, Marshall, and East Carolina. Some of the programs that are also showing interest in Chaffin are Louisville, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Clemson, Penn State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Florida State, Wake Forest, South Carolina, NC State, and Northwestern.

NCPREPS caught up with Chaffin to get the latest on his upcoming junior year and his recruitment.

NCPREPS: What are your goals and expectations for this year at Davie County?

CHAFFIN: “I want to bring back the toughness and Davie Pride to our football program. Coach Hinson is a tough nose coach and it been reflected in our practices from the spring had has transitioned over to our summer practices. My personal goals are to be the best complete football player that I can be. You know…I have personal goals, but my team and teammates come first. We are building something special at Davie High School. It may take a little time, but I believe we are on the right track. I want our team to go to the playoffs and have a winning season. I would like to lead North Carolina in tackles this year and be All Conference, All Region and All State God willing!”

NCPREPS: What have you worked on over the summer to improve your game?

CHAFFIN: “I put a lot of hard work in over the summer lifting, working on speed and on field footwork. I Just want to be the leader that my coaches want me to be. We would have football practice from 8am til 11:00am on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, then weightlifting in the evening. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have the same football practice schedule, and I would work on my speed work in the evenings. On Saturdays, I would work on my pass rushing. I also just try to eat right and have recovery during the down time.”

NCPREPS: You have 3 offers from Marshall, App State, and East Carolina. What do you like about those schools, coaches, and have you visited them?

CHAFFIN: “I’m just so grateful to be able to have 3 offers at this point. The portal has made it tough for high school players. All the schools that have offered me are all unique in their own ways. They are all great institutions, and all have historic football programs. I have been on visits to all three schools.”

NCPREPS: What are you looking for in a program?

CHAFFIN: “I’ve been fortunate to visit a lot of programs, but what I’m really looking for is a place that feels like home. A place with a strong culture where the coaches care about their players, and there’s a clear plan to develop me on and off the field. I want to compete every day, be pushed to grow, and be part of a team that’s committed to something bigger than themselves.

NCPREPS: What schools have you visited for camps, games, etc?

CHAFFIN: “I have visited Penn State, Marshall, Liberty, Virginia Tech, UNC, NC State, Wake Forest, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Clemson, Appalachian State, and East Carolina.”

NCPREPS: You have heard from the schools listed above, what other schools are you receiving recruiting interest from?

CHAFFIN: “I’m hearing from Louisville, Coastal Carolina, Northwestern, Harvard, Florida State, Old Dominion, Western Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Virginia, and Maryland.”

NCPREPS: Do you play on attending some games this fall? If so, list the ones you know.

CHAFFIN: “I’m going to Louisville’s first game. I will go to a game at App State, Marshall, ECU, and UNC for sure, but a lot of visits have yet to be determined.”

Watch Chaffin’s sophomore season highlights HERE.