Post by FIUFanatic on Aug 8, 2004 16:18:42 GMT -5
I just found an article in a Jacksonville paper about D-I recruits, back from Feb. and wrote a bit about FIU's incoming freshman QB Mke Chapman. Pretty interesting how we got him....Here's a partial reproduction of the article:
While most of Wednesday's signees had known for some time that college football was in their future, that wasn't the case for Orange Park's Chapman.
Despite drawing praise from several coaches, and despite passing for more than 1,600 yards, 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions, interest in the 6-foot-2, 195-pound signal caller waned considerably as the Raiders stumbled through a third consecutive 2-8 season.
"I got discouraged, but my parents told me to stick it out and something good would come along," Chapman said. "They told me to stick it out and hope for the best."
Oddly, it was an out-of-town player on an opposing team who helped Chapman get the break his parents said would come. He doesn't recall the player's name, but someone from Tallahassee Lincoln suggested the FIU staff take a look at the quarterback in a game film the player sent as part of his own recruitment package.
Apparently, FIU coach Don Strock -- one of the best backup quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL -- liked what he saw.
Chapman received a full ride to the Miami university, which enters Division 1 next fall after completing three full seasons of football.
Chapman said he's fine with FIU's plans to redshirt him his first season because it will give him time to learn an offense that appears to be right up his alley.
"They run a spread offense and they run the shotgun a lot," Chapman said. "They sling the ball downfield; it's perfect for me."
Had FIU not come through, Chapman had few real offers after receiving letters of interest from Duke and other Division I schools early in the school year. He was considering New Hampshire, but that idea disappeared the moment he stepped on the FIU campus.
"I fell in love with the city, the school and the football team," Chapman said. "It's a big weight off my shoulders. I'm counting the days till July."
While most of Wednesday's signees had known for some time that college football was in their future, that wasn't the case for Orange Park's Chapman.
Despite drawing praise from several coaches, and despite passing for more than 1,600 yards, 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions, interest in the 6-foot-2, 195-pound signal caller waned considerably as the Raiders stumbled through a third consecutive 2-8 season.
"I got discouraged, but my parents told me to stick it out and something good would come along," Chapman said. "They told me to stick it out and hope for the best."
Oddly, it was an out-of-town player on an opposing team who helped Chapman get the break his parents said would come. He doesn't recall the player's name, but someone from Tallahassee Lincoln suggested the FIU staff take a look at the quarterback in a game film the player sent as part of his own recruitment package.
Apparently, FIU coach Don Strock -- one of the best backup quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL -- liked what he saw.
Chapman received a full ride to the Miami university, which enters Division 1 next fall after completing three full seasons of football.
Chapman said he's fine with FIU's plans to redshirt him his first season because it will give him time to learn an offense that appears to be right up his alley.
"They run a spread offense and they run the shotgun a lot," Chapman said. "They sling the ball downfield; it's perfect for me."
Had FIU not come through, Chapman had few real offers after receiving letters of interest from Duke and other Division I schools early in the school year. He was considering New Hampshire, but that idea disappeared the moment he stepped on the FIU campus.
"I fell in love with the city, the school and the football team," Chapman said. "It's a big weight off my shoulders. I'm counting the days till July."
