Just a few more pieces on Tra’von Chapman and his verbal to Pitt.
I was a little surprised when I looked at Chapman’s background that he had only played one season at Kent Roosevelt, but the moving was football related. Just not for Chapman. His dad, Thad Jemison, became the WR coach at KSU last year. He was a former Ohio St. WR. Guess that means dad won’t be in the stands for many games.
Having a father involved in coaching football explains why Chapman responded so well to QB Coach Brooks Bollinger actually critiquing him during a camp.
“[Bollinger] really coached me up at the camp and I liked his criticism. He helped me with some pointers, and I liked that he wanted me to be at my best,” Chapman said. “But really, my comfort level with the entire staff and the fact that I know they want what is best for me academically and athletically made it feel like home for me, so I knew it was my best choice. The bottom line is I could trust those guys the most and that’s important to me.”
While Chapman as a QB is a bit raw as you would expect from a high school QB. He is well polished on the cliches needed for interviews. You can see that in the above quote where he hit the traditional buzz words. “Comfort level ” and “feel like home.”
When you commit early. It’s about removing pressure and concentrating on the senior year. Check.
“I am pumped right now,” Chapman said. “It is a big weight off my shoulders. The support from my family and coaches has been tremendous. Now I am able to focus on my team at Kent Roosevelt.”
Speak well of the school and location. Being important to you as a person.
“I felt more comfortable at Pitt,” Chapman said. “It feels like a home environment with the coaches. I love the city of Pittsburgh. I think it gives me the best chance to grow as a person and athlete.”
A chance to play as a freshman? Sure. Acknowledge hard work is needed and embrace competition.
“I think I have a good chance of playing as a freshman,” Chapman said. “Obviously there is competition everywhere. I think if I come in with the right attitude and work hard I will have a legit chance to play.”
Well done, Mr. Chapman. Your responses are very encouraging. Safe, non-controversial. Confident without being cocky.
Please resume being an 18-year old only without doing the dumb things 18-year olds do (or at least don’t get caught).
Now if Mr. Foster decides that he wants to be our 3rd Biletnikoff Award winner at Pitt sometime around then, then my fellow Pitt Panther Fanatics, we will be making a pretty big splash in the ACC as the new kid on the block IMO. Can you imagine the offensive powerhouse Pitt would be with Shell in the backfield and Foster at wide receiver with SOMEBODY under center that can actually throw the ball with some velocity and aim over 30 yards down field? Let’s hope that PC can reel this Foster kid in. That should help silence the PC recruiting critics for awhile, yuh?
HTP!
Defensively, the team will be aided by a strong running game, which will give the D time to rest and fewer possessions to defend on. But that is all contingent on an effective running game, which is contingent on a good O-line.
I can assure you that Chryst knows this just as well–actually, far better!–than I do. There has to be an urgent need to coach up or recruit better linemen. I’m glad Chapman is in the fold, and I am glad Pitt is getting some other nice offensive weapons–Ordnoff and Clement come to mind–but what is going to make or break the Chryst regime is the offensive line, and there are still a ton of question marks there. What would a starting 5 for 2013 look like?
Bisnowaty, Ricketts, Rotheram, Schlieper, Rowell?
Like I said, some of those guys are serious hogs and have elite size. If Chryst and Co. can install the skill set, Pitt’s offense will hit the ACC as a force to be reckoned with. But I worry that the skills won’t be there and that the very athletic ACC defenses will send an immobile Savage or inexperienced Voytik/Chapman to the ground.
Based on the above information Chapman may need time to be coached at the college level because of his relative lack of experience. In college he will not be able to rely solely his athleticism.
A relative thought to this is may be it is too soon to right off Myers who only started one year in H.S. Despite playing at the highest level in Ohio he played on a champsionship team. His receivers also easily easily beat their defenders and his size and arm strength made the game to simple. Now he is facing the reality of playing against players whose abilites are completely different-the game is so much faster.
Perhaps Chryst can teach him to work hard on the mental part of his game and harnness his obvious physical attributes.
It would be great for Pitt if Myers did turn the corner by 2013 or late 2012. If in 2013 Savage has an oppotunity to play something could develop because I think he has a true desire to excel. His willingness risk transfers to programs that offer him the best chance to play in a system for one year that will showcase his skills that he can play at the next level.
Consider the post Tino years as the glass half full at the QB poistion.
The problem is that last year was so screwed up for the OL none of the young kids really got a chance to show what they can do.
That will change this season. I truly believe we are going to be pleasantly surprised with how this staff gets the OL to respond this season.
Why do I trust PC? It is simple, PC’s mindset is it is all about the players performing. While their performing includes academics and such, it is refreshing to have a coach who will not play favorites and gives a spot to a player who is the best prepared for said position. The icing on the cake is everybody both players and coaches must strive to be the best they can be so the team can be the best it can be. Of course the cherry on top is he will make in game adjustments and actually devise game plans against the team they will be playing.
I aint worrying about nothing because after the 7 years have had enough of it. I am rallying around PC and Staff because they have done so much better with less talent. He has a clean sheet as far as I’m concerned. My wish is that the Pitt faithful will see the need to support him, the coaches and players. It is time for us fans to roll up our sleeves so to speak and get behind our new coach. Why, because he deserves it. He aint Wanny, Walt or any of the myriad of coaches Pitt has had since the Majors/Sherrill days.
You guys game or do you want to roll in the mud of misery? Misery breeds contempt and I for one don’t want it…
Kenny – I’m definitely not rolling in the mud of misery! I do think Pitt is in a rebuilding mode, but I also think they are only just a year or two away from being really good!
but i think he will be good but to say so with out a game being played i will wait and see
and as even you say the new OL men need to be coached up none of them are studs. so we will see after TG i am not going to rave abought how great a coach is till he plays some games. the proof is in the puding as they say.
His commments above are even more impressive.
Sounds smart and mature.
but after TG and dave it is hard to do that.
but you are probley right he will be great.
i sure hope so but we will see in sept.
Tomczyk was tge OSU QB.