IUplanet talked with Coach
Eric Redmond of Airport High School (MI) about top-100 offensive lineman
Charles Chapman, who committed to play for the Hoosiers last week. Here’s what he had to say about the mammoth 6’7”, 285 lb prospect:
On his role on his Airport team:
He was a good offensive lineman, big kid who can move well, run well. We won 9 games last year and he was an integral part in that, there’s no question.
On his position on the offensive line:
As a sophomore he started at offensive tackle for us. We do a lot of trapping and pulling, so last year because he runs so well, we moved him to [right] guard, to lead some of our sweep stuff. That’s kind of an imposing figure when you look up and see a 6’7” 275-280 lb kid coming around the corner at you. He can play both, he can play guard or tackle, he’s going to be a tackle in college.
On the recruiting process, and why he liked IU:
He looked at a lot of places, he did his homework on it, and so did his folks. He went down and visited Indiana, and did their camp. He was real comfortable with the players there, met the members of the offensive line. He really liked the coaches, he thought they were very personable, thought it was a very pretty campus. He’s kind of a farm boy, a country boy, so I think he liked that whole area.
On his potential to make an immediate impact:
You know, I would hope that he has the opportunity to redshirt and get acclimated to college. He has the potential and ability because of his size, and he’s gotten strong, and he can get much stronger, and he runs so well. He has the potential to play on Sundays.
On what he needs to improve upon:
We are primarily a run team, so he’s had a lot of work getting off the ball and using his hands and his shoulders, a lot of run blocking [Last season Airport rushed for 4,000 total yards, and passed for 1,600 yards. Their leading rusher gained nearly 1,800 yards behind Chapman and the rest of the offensive line.]. He’ll have to work a little more on his pass protection and some of that stuff, especially out of the spread.
On Charles Chapman, the person:
He’s a great kid, he’s a good student, comes from a great family. He’s going to be a great addition for Indiana.
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Thanks to Coach Redmond for the great interview!
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