Matt Campbell and Iowa State officially announced yet another major commitment from a key player
Iowa State is currently engaged in spring football practices, but the coaching staff is also looking ahead to the fall with the recent commitment of Markell Chapman, a defensive tackle from Highland Community College.
After one season at Highland, where he played in nine games and recorded 14 tackles—including seven for a loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble—Chapman has decided to join Iowa State. The Sumter, SC native was recruited following visits from Iowa State’s Mason Tomblin and Jake Waters in early March. He also had scholarship offers from Colorado State and Eastern Kentucky at the FCS level.
Chapman has three years of eligibility left.
Why it matters: He is the most recent recruit for Iowa State’s defensive line this offseason, joining transfer players Cannon Butler (Northern Iowa), Vontroy Malone (Tulsa), and Tamatoa McDonough (Yale). These new additions to the defensive line are particularly important as the Cyclones are set to lose three key contributors from their 2024 lineup. JR Singleton and Joey Petersen have completed their eligibility after the Pop-Tarts Bowl victory, and Tyler Onyedim has entered the transfer portal.
What it means
Chapman will enhance the depth of Iowa State’s interior defensive line. Domonique Orange is back for his senior season and is anticipated to take on a leadership role alongside Eli Rasheed at the defensive tackle position this fall, with an increased focus on playing more snaps. Chapman is expected to vie for rotational playing time with Zaimir Hawk, as well as incoming freshmen Ka’Mori Moore—who enrolled at Iowa State in January—and BJ Carter.
No Comment! Be the first one.