2017 LB Dwayne Chapman II earns first offer

They say the early bird gets the worm right? Well when Orchard Lake (Mich.) St.Mary's sophomore linebacker, Dwayne Chapman, woke up yesterday morning, he had no idea he'd catch the worm he had been looking for, for awhile now, when Ohio University cornerbacks coach, James Ward, gave him his first scholarship offer.

"I got a message telling me to call him at 7:30 a.m.," Chapman said about Ward. "So that's what I did, and he offered me a scholarship. I felt extremely blessed, and at the same time, it took that much bigger of a chip off of my shoulder, and to work even harder."

Chapman said he had never even talked to Ohio before the offer came in, a true testament to what word of mouth can do for you, and production on the field. The 6-1, 210-pounder racked up 78 tackles, and four sacks as a sophomore, on a state title winning team, so Chapman definitely knows how to play, and Ohio was the first to acknowledge that. He'll remember that.

"The whole experience is very special," said Chapman. "Ohio University will always have a special place in my heart!"

For Chapman, earning his first offer means a lot to him. He felt he earned one coming off of his highly productive sophomore season, where he was also named MVP of the state title game, a clutch interception late in the game. One never came for Chapman, even after a few of his teammates at St.Mary's received offers. But he never complained, and remained patient, and it has paid off for him.

"It feels good to have the monkey off my back," said Chapman. "But at the same time, I feel a deeper responsibility to prove myself worthy.

"It's very important to stay humble, and remain grounded, because all the glory goes to God."

With the offer from Ohio under his belt, Chapman doesn't have to worry anymore about getting an offer, and should see his recruitment skyrocket over the summer, as one of the top linebackers in his class in the Michigan. He already has his summer camp/visit plans mapped out, and hopes to gain more offers by the time junior year rolls around.

"I plan to perform well at camps this summer, and have an outstanding junior year, while helping my team repeat.

"I plan to camp at Sound Mind Sound Body, Ohio State, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Central Michigan, and Bowling Green."

St.Mary's should enter the 2015 season as one of the top teams in the state, and should be able to contend for another Division 3 state title, with all the Division I talent they have over there with Chapman, including Joshua Ross, Kahlee Hamler, Cameron Kolwich, and Ryan Johnson. It wasn't even for St.Mary's last season, and Chapman knows it won't be any easier this season.

"First we have to take care of business in the Catholic League," he said. "Then we can focus on repeating as state champions."