Iowa State picked up an off-season junior college addition Wednesday in former Highland CC defensive lineman Markell Chapman.
The 6-foot-3, 315-pounder was taken aback by his visit to Ames.
“What made me choose Iowa State, was when I got there, it immediately felt like home,” Chapman said. “The hospitality was great. They showed love. They weren’t too boujee. They weren’t putting on a front or acting a certain way because they have a recruit in the facility.”
#AGTG
Blessed to say @CycloneFB is Home #Committed @CoachTomblinISU @CoachJWaters @CoachRasheed @DerekHoodjer @CoachDJmayo @Coach_Smush pic.twitter.com/vfxeHmDrSe— Markell Chapman (@Markellchapman7) April 2, 2025
Chapman appreciated the realness of Iowa State and what they showed him.
“Certain places won’t show you the real life – they showed me the real life,” Chapman said. “They weren’t trying to be too nice on their players because I was in there. They showed me how they actually run their program. I respect that and I like it. I can work with that.”
Chapman chose Iowa State over offers from Colorado State and Eastern Kentucky.
He will join a talented room on the defensive side of the ball and compete for snaps at the nose tackle spot in relief this fall.
“They want me to come in, put in the work, and compete for that starting spot,” Chapman said.
During his time at Highland CC, Chapman appeared in nine games during his sophomore season, collecting 14 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and three sacks.
“That was all of the motivation I needed right there,” Chapman said. “Them showing the love that they showed and the way that the players I’ve seen how they work, and how good they are, I know that I can get there and they can transform me.”
