Class of 2016 LSU FS/OLB Commit Cliff Chatman Announces Five Official Visits

Written by Ryan Wright

Living in the Big Easy could not be any easier for McDonogh 35 free safety/outside linebacker Cliff Chattman. The 6’5”, 185 pound, talent has offers from some of the top programs throughout the region but landed the big offer seemingly every other high school prospect in the state of Louisiana wants, an offer from LSU.

On Feb. 11, the rangy Class of 2016 star verbally committed to the in-state college football juggernaut over offers from Arizona State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Temple, Tulane, and Arizona. The debate on recruiting rankings aside, Chatman is now part of a group that includes16 other players that currently comprises Rivals’ No. 1 ranked class in the nation.

Colleges made sure to find time to see the Roneagles play in 2014 despite the team finishing with a 3-8 record that included a first round Louisiana High School Playoff exodus. Chatman patrolled the secondary and occasionally came up to the line or on the outside producing 74 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and 3 forced fumbles.

The New Orleans area team took their lumps in 2014 but have high expectations going into the 2015 season. The Roneagles have at least five players expected to sign with Division-I teams as part of the 2016 recruiting class; DE Sci Martin (uncommitted), DT Jamal Crawford (Tulane), DT Stephon Taylor (uncommitted), RB Darius May (Tulane), and Chattman.

With all of the exposure McDonogh 35 will receive this season more offers should keep pouring in for Chattman with Miami, Florida, and Oklahoma, just to name a few, all still showing heavy interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I caught up with Chattman during his busy offseason to see how he is gearing up for his senior campaign and find out how his recruiting process is going to date.

Interview
Cliff, you’ve been a starter for the Roneagles since your sophomore year. Looking back on your junior season how did you grow as a player? What were some of the gains you made on the field?

“Last year I started getting better at reading the coverages and the learning process. Last year in the classroom watching film I started really paying attention to the plays and the details of every offense. I started reading the tackles better as well.”

At the end of last season did you earn any individual honors?

“I was first-team All-District.”

Did you go to any camps over the summer?

“No sir, I was busy working on my skills.”

How do the Roneagles look going into the 2015 season?

“Going into the 2015 season we’re looking very decent. Right now we have a very young team. We have a lot of young people coming up and we have a couple of seniors that are stepping up.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“Our goal is taking every game as one, one at a time. Mainly we’re going into each game as a team and not thinking about yourself.”

What are your personal goals for your senior season?

“For me, I want us to succeed and reach the big goal and that is to make it to the Superdome. In order for us to do that everybody has to play as a team.”

Do you have a stat line total you want to hit like 100 tackles or something like that?

“For the season I want get at least eight picks. Tackles not as important, but picks are a big thing for me this season.”

Last year you lined up at safety and outside linebacker, will you play any other positions this season? Where all will we see you on the field in 2015?

“Well – right now I really don’t know. We’ll see as the season progresses. I’m still playing free safety and outside linebacker but I’ll play some corner every once in a while.”

Have you had a chance to look at the 2015 schedule yet and if so is there a game you are excited to play coming up?

“Yeah! I’m looking forward to playing Easton (New Orleans). They’re our big competition this year. It’s always been a tough contest with them.”

You mentioned earlier that you’ve been working on your skills during the offseason, what specifically have you been doing to prepare for your senior campaign?

“In the offseason we’ve been doing a lot of 7×7. I’ve been focusing on playing free safety, focusing on my key targets, picking off between the No. 1 receiver, the No. 2 receiver, and the No. 3 receiver. I’ve been working on reading the quarterback and breaking on the ball quickly.”

Have you been doing any speed and agility or weightlifting workouts?

“I’ve been doing a lot of that with my trainer. I’ve been working on my 40 time, my back pedal a lot, squatting a lot, working on my legs and my lower body.”

What’s the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted this summer?

“With my trainer I ran a 4.53.”

What is your bench press and squat max up to now?

“My squat is at 315 and my bench is 295.”

You committed early in the process to LSU, back in February. What motivated you to commit to the Tigers so early in the recruiting process?

“What made me commit, it was a very safe offer for me. Growing up in the city of New Orleans everybody loves LSU. Me growing up watching LSU play, it was very exciting for me getting an LSU offer. My family is from New Orleans, LSU is right up the street in Baton Rouge. For them (my family) it was very close, it’s only a 45 minute ride right up the road. That’s why I committed. My family played a big part in that.”

Are you going to take all five of your official visits during your senior year?

“Yes sir.”

Which schools will receive your five official visits?

“I’ll take a visit to LSU, Miami, Florida, Oklahoma, and Arizona.”

When you’ve talked to the different college coaches what type of feedback have you received from the different colleges about your skill set?

“They like that I’m physical, especially for my height. They love the way I come down and the way I use my hips to make tackles. They like the way I use my hips to break on the ball.”

When you’ve talked to the LSU coaches about how you fit their system have they said if they are going to keep you at safety or move you to outside linebacker?

“No sir.”

Which position do you prefer to play once in college?

“I want to stay back at free safety.”

For the football fans out there who have never seen you play, is there a college or NFL player that you feel your playing style is similar?

“Kam Chancellor (Seattle Seahawks), I really like the way he plays. I enjoy watching him play.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My mom, she pushes me a lot to do good. She’s supportive of me.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“School comes first, but my favorite part about football is it’s an exciting game to play.”

Photo credit: 247sports.com; No. 22 Cliff Chattman at LSU.
Photo credit: ovguide.com; No. 22 Cliff Chattman.
Photo credit: tigerrag.com; No. 22 Cliff Chattman and teammate No. 95 Stephon Taylor at LSU.