St. Thomas junior wide receiver Colin Chase describes himself as an open-minded person, someone willing to go outside his comfort zone. Two prime examples provide some proof.

Chase made the 50-minute commute from his home in Tustin, Calif., to attend St. John Bosco High School, leaving the house each morning at 6:30 at the start of a 12-hour day for the chance to play football for a nationally renowned program.

Fast forward to his senior year in high school, when Chase opted to forgo an offer from nearby University of San Diego to travel halfway across the country to play for the Tommies.

“I’m not going to take one route just because it’s comfortable,” Chase said.

St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso is the first to say the Tommies are all the better for it. He has been impressed with the 6-foot, 201-pound Chase from the time he arrived on campus, and is among many who believe Chase will be a key component to a revamped offense this season as he moves into a full-time starter’s role.

Chase made great strides as last season progressed, finishing with 19 catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns. With standout receiver Andrew McElroy electing to leave via the transfer portal, Chase, along with graduate student receiver Jacob Wildermuth, will be counted on to give an offense that traditionally has been heavy on the run the ability to stretch the field.

Caruso does not anticipate a drop-off in production at wide receiver following the loss of McElroy.

“The way Colin played down the stretch, he was our most productive receiver last year — with everybody there,” Caruso said.

Following that up with a productive offseason offers the promise of even better days ahead.

“I was so impressed with the spring he had,” Caruso said. “I feel it’s kind of rude for me to say because I shouldn’t be. He lays down great work for two years. But he took it to a whole different level in the spring.

“He’s smooth, he’s confident, and he’s consistent with his routes. He’s what we call a friendly receiver. He makes himself available and friendly to the quarterback.”

Chase says he is thankful for the opportunity, as well as the support he has received from those around him.

“We have a new offensive coordinator, coach (Caleb) Corrill, who has been a great addition to our offense,” Chase said, “so I’m very excited for our game plans upcoming. We’ve got a great defense, so it’s been nice to go against the best defense in our conference every day in practice.

“I had a great mentor in (teammate) Jacob Wildermuth,” Chase said. “He took me under his wing and explained the offense inside and out. And he helped me sharpen my mental game, so he really prepared me for that stage.”

One focus for Chase during the offseason was to join with the other receivers in developing chemistry with a group of young quarterbacks that includes sophomore starter Tak Tateoka and sophomore backup Michael Rostberg.

“They push us to be better,” Chase said, “and we push them to be better.”

That type of leadership is among the intangible traits Caruso and staff look for while on the recruiting trail.

Tommies wide receiver coach Jared Dodson, who recruits California, began showing interest in Chase during his senior season in high school. The two developed a rapport, and Chase was intrigued by Dodson’s description of a program he initially knew very little about.

Then, after meeting with Caruso, “I was just locked in after that,” Chase said.

“A head coach like coach Caruso, he develops players on the field and off the field,” he added. “Whether that’s helping you on the football field or later on in life, it’s developing those skills to be a strong person.

“And the culture; I’ve never been around a group a guys who have been genuinely close — just a selfless program.”

Thus, his instincts were correct when he chose the Tommies, just as they were when he made the sacrifices needed to play for St. John Bosco.

“Similar program as it is to here,” Chase said. “Iron sharpening iron every day — going against the top talent. Very blessed to take that from there and translate over here.”