2025 juco linebacker Montrell Chapman breaks down Mississippi State decision
The past couple of weeks on the recruiting trail has been a whirlwind for 2025 linebacker prospect Montrell Chapman. And in the end, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College standout is headed to the SEC.
After picking up a recent Mississippi State offer, Chapman officially visited the Bulldogs this past week on Wednesday and Thursday. Then on Thursday evening, Chapman joined Mississippi State’s Class of 2025.
“I feel great about Mississippi State,” Chapman said. “I’ve been watching them a lot. I know they didn’t have a great season but I want to come in and help the program. I know a lot of people doubt them but I want to be one of the guys that helps them turn it around.”
A few days ago, the former South Panola standout collect his first two Power 4 offers, as well, from Mississippi State and Arizona. Chapman totaled 74 tackles with five tackles for loss this past season.
“Mississippi State had been talking to me before they offered,” the 6-foot-2 and 230-pound Chapman recalled. “Then on Monday, Coach Hutzler reached out to me and said they wanted to offer me. He said the whole staff watched my film and they really liked what they saw.”
As he pointed out, Chapman expects Mississippi State to turn around the program under head coach Jeff Lebby.
“I feel like Mississippi State’s program will get better,” Chapman noted. “I know they didn’t have a great season but they’re gonna put in hard work to overcome all of that.”
Obviously, Chapman was grateful to see a rise in his recruiting success in the late stages. He also recently graduated from Mississippi Gulf Coast and will be a mid-year enrollee.
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“East Carolina and Arizona are some others that have offered me lately,” added Chapman, who also officially visited Ole Miss last weekend. “Overall I ended up with over 20 offers so it’s been good. I’ve already graduated and it’s a blessing to get all of these new offers. I knew it was going to happen but I knew I had to be patient.”
During his Mississippi State official visit, Chapman stated that he felt at home on the Bulldogs’ campus. And he was impressed with what he saw off the field.
“The visit was really great,” Chapman said. “Everything went great and the way I felt, it just felt like home. We did the photo shoot and saw their campus. They’ve got a very nice campus and it is one of the biggest campuses I’ve seen.”
Also within that visit, Chapman got a full rundown of the defensive system via his talks with defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler. He sees a similar fit with State’s defense and is ready to hit the ground running in January.
“I talked about the defense with Coach Hutzler,” noted Chapman. “I love how their defense is run and it is similar to what we did at Gulf Coast. I feel like I can come in and play right away and pick it up quick. They like me at mike linebacker and that’s where I’m used to playing.
“So it was all good and now I can’t wait to get there in January. I’m ready to get started.”
