Newcomer Notebook: James Chenault
8/13/2026 8:28 AM | Football
Orlando native is primed to be one of the defense’s newest ballhawks
SALT LAKE CITY — The Newcomer Notebook returns for 2026 as UtahUtes.com will visit with various additions to the Utah Football roster leading up to the Utes' season opener on September 3 vs. Idaho.
Utah's first Fall camp of the Morgan Scalley era is in full swing as the team counts down the days to kickoff. Among those who are preparing to make their Utah debut on Sept. 3 is cornerback James Chenault.
A native of Orlando, Florida, Chenault arrived at Utah after a pair of seasons at USF, where his career totals included three interceptions and six passes defended. In 2025, he made nine starts for a Bulls squad that posted the sixth nine-win season in program history and went undefeated at home for the first time in more than 20 years. One of his interceptions came in his team's Sept. 6 road win over No. 13 Florida.
Prior to his time at USF, Chenault was a three-star recruit out of Jones High School after a career in which he logged 64 tackles and picked off seven passes.
How's the start of camp been?
The start of camp's been great. We're making plays and just coming out, getting better every day.
What's been the attitude of the defensive back room coming into camp?
To be a ball hawk. We're going to make plays any chance we can get. I know we're in the spotlight a lot, so just being able to step up to the plate when it's that time.
Is there one aspect of your game you want to work on the most during camp?
Yes. Definitely the look and lean phase, playing the ball once it's in the air, tracking the ball and making a play on it.
What's one thing that makes you a really quality addition to this defense?
My grit and just my willingness to do whatever to help the team win. I'm a team player at the end of the day and I'll just play my part and just do whatever is best for the Utes.
When the opportunity to play here came up, what made you want to be a part of this program?
Definitely my position coach, Coach Shah. He is definitely motivating me every day. His passion for the game and his passion to teach players and get them to the next level was everything.
What was your first impression of Coach Shah?
He was very energetic and enthusiastic. He didn't come at me lethargic or anything. He basically showed me that he wanted me here and I could be a part of the team.
What's been Coach Shah's most consistent message to you and your fellow cornerbacks?
Just don't make the same mistakes, get better every day, especially by the person next to you. We learn in the same room next to each other, so we talk about one another's mistakes. I feel like as long as we don't go out there and make the same mistake we did yesterday or somebody else did the day before, we'll be better every day.
How much do you and the other defensive backs lean on each other?
We lean on each other a lot. All our cornerbacks and our safeties, we have good communication. We have a good relationship together. Our bond is very strong.
Where does the nickname Bobo come from?
It's just a childhood nickname I grew up with. It's something my mom and my dad gave to me once I just started growing and it just stuck along with me.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
Utah's first Fall camp of the Morgan Scalley era is in full swing as the team counts down the days to kickoff. Among those who are preparing to make their Utah debut on Sept. 3 is cornerback James Chenault.
A native of Orlando, Florida, Chenault arrived at Utah after a pair of seasons at USF, where his career totals included three interceptions and six passes defended. In 2025, he made nine starts for a Bulls squad that posted the sixth nine-win season in program history and went undefeated at home for the first time in more than 20 years. One of his interceptions came in his team's Sept. 6 road win over No. 13 Florida.
Prior to his time at USF, Chenault was a three-star recruit out of Jones High School after a career in which he logged 64 tackles and picked off seven passes.
How's the start of camp been?
The start of camp's been great. We're making plays and just coming out, getting better every day.
What's been the attitude of the defensive back room coming into camp?
To be a ball hawk. We're going to make plays any chance we can get. I know we're in the spotlight a lot, so just being able to step up to the plate when it's that time.
Is there one aspect of your game you want to work on the most during camp?
Yes. Definitely the look and lean phase, playing the ball once it's in the air, tracking the ball and making a play on it.
What's one thing that makes you a really quality addition to this defense?
My grit and just my willingness to do whatever to help the team win. I'm a team player at the end of the day and I'll just play my part and just do whatever is best for the Utes.
When the opportunity to play here came up, what made you want to be a part of this program?
Definitely my position coach, Coach Shah. He is definitely motivating me every day. His passion for the game and his passion to teach players and get them to the next level was everything.
What was your first impression of Coach Shah?
He was very energetic and enthusiastic. He didn't come at me lethargic or anything. He basically showed me that he wanted me here and I could be a part of the team.
What's been Coach Shah's most consistent message to you and your fellow cornerbacks?
Just don't make the same mistakes, get better every day, especially by the person next to you. We learn in the same room next to each other, so we talk about one another's mistakes. I feel like as long as we don't go out there and make the same mistake we did yesterday or somebody else did the day before, we'll be better every day.
How much do you and the other defensive backs lean on each other?
We lean on each other a lot. All our cornerbacks and our safeties, we have good communication. We have a good relationship together. Our bond is very strong.
Where does the nickname Bobo come from?
It's just a childhood nickname I grew up with. It's something my mom and my dad gave to me once I just started growing and it just stuck along with me.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
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