Southern Illinois running back Chandler Chapman leads the team and ranks fourth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 482 rushing yards. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Barry Bottino
Growing up along the Louisiana and Mississippi gulf coasts, Chandler Chapman was always drawn to the water.
Fishing and going to the beach were part of everyday life.
He can even shuck oysters.
“Yes, I can,” he said. “It didn’t take long to learn. I learned from (TV cooking) shows and I had a marine biology class in high school.”
Born in Slidell, La., Chapman attended high school in neighboring Mississippi before playing junior college football at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the rural town of Perkinston (population 9,436, less than half of Carbondale).
Chapman, who ranks fourth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in rushing this season, played five different positions in high school.
The oldest of four children in his family, Chapman appreciates the bonds he made playing junior college football, still remembers the first snowstorm he experienced in Carbondale and would someday like to live in Texas.
Learn all about Chapman in our weekly Moving the Chains Q&A feature.
You went to high school in Bay St. Louis, Miss. What’s the coolest thing about that city?
The high school I went to (St. Stanislaus Prep) was on the coast. It was right by the beach, so we had a bridge that went from the school to the beach.
What outdoor activities do you enjoy back at home that you miss?
I love the beach. I can still fish here, but not pier fishing. I used to fish off the pier when I was back in the Bay. My friends have ATVs and four-wheelers. I miss getting on those with the guys.
When was the last time you didn’t play running back?
My senior year of high school, I played everything. I played linebacker, cornerback, safety, running back and some Wildcat quarterback.
What is your earliest football memory?
We were doing Oklahoma drills (in youth football). I wasn’t the biggest kid, but I remember getting in there and getting knocked around. I ended up falling in love with it.
What are the best and worst things about junior college football?
The best thing is the relationships that you build. Those guys become your brothers. It’s pretty isolated. Usually, these programs are basically in the middle of nowhere. They’re in some really small towns, so you build a camaraderie with the guys.
The worst thing would be the weekends. Everybody is trying to go home. On the weekend, you’re pretty much by yourself.
Who were the first teammates you met at SIU?
It was (former defensive lineman) Bernadin Fleurima Jr. and (former wide receiver) Jackson Parker. Jackson ended up being my roommate and Bern moved in later. I remember the first conversation I had with a teammate was Bern.
Who is the neatest and who was the messiest roommate?
Those guys moved out, so I don’t have any roommates right now. I miss them.
Pizza is a Midwest staple. What is your favorite pizza topping?
I would say Italian sausage. Coming from Louisiana, I wasn’t a big pizza guy. We didn’t have many pizza places, just Domino’s and Papa John’s.
What’s one food you like to eat that your teammates would not be willing to try?
Boudin (pronounced boo-dan, a Cajun sausage made of meat, rice, vegetables and seasonings). My dad brought some the last time he was here. I hadn’t had it in so long. It was actually a fried boudin ball. There was jambalaya in there, chicken, sausage and the Cajun seasonings. I’ve seen people do a lot of different things with boudin, the same as they do with gumbo. You can mix in whatever you like.
You wear No. 8. Does that number have special meaning to you?
I just fell in love with it. In juco, I wore No. 7. Jake (SIU quarterback Jake Curry) had No. 7, so I took No. 8 and stuck with it.
Tell us about your family.
I’m the oldest. I have two little brothers and a baby sister. The two boys just got into middle school and the baby girl just graduated preschool. They were here for the Youngstown game (on Oct. 3). It’s a bit of a trip. It’s an 8-hour drive, so I don’t know if they’re going to be able to come back up here. I enjoy seeing them.
Did you have a favorite NFL team and player growing up?
My favorite team for a long time was the Seahawks. But I’m also a diehard Saints fan. My favorite running back was (Seattle RB) Marshawn Lynch.
Do you remember the first snowstorm you experienced in Carbondale?
It was terrible! I didn’t know what to do. That was probably the first time I’ve seen actual snow and had to drive in it. I didn’t know what to do with that snow. That was a first for me.
Jackson is from New York, so he knew what to do. He had the windshield scraper, the shovel and things like that. I didn’t have any of that stuff. So, I just rolled with him.
Of all the SIU assistant coaches, who could still play today?
It would be between Larry (running backs coach Larry Warner, a former Saluki RB) and Coach Zach (wide receivers coach Zach Grant). They’re probably the most mobile.
What is your favorite stadium that you’ve played in at SIU?
I liked the Purdue game (in 2025). That was a great atmosphere.
Do you have a favorite SIU jersey combination?
All white. That’s my favorite. It’s clean. You don’t have to do too much. All white with black cleats.
When you walk into the locker room on game day, who’s the quietest and loudest teammate?
The quietest is (wide receiver) Kam White. My loudest teammate is probably (linebacker) Miles Wash. I’m just a relaxed guy. I don’t do too much, but I don’t stop talking.
How do you spend your free time?
For a good minute, I was out fishing. Video games, of course. I’ve been watching a lot of movies. A comfort movie would be “Hancock” (the 2008 action-comedy superhero film).
Bay St. Louis is located between New Orleans to the west and Mobile, Ala., to the east. What do you enjoy about those cities?
I’ve been to Mobile two or three times for Mardi Gras. It’s a fun place, a big city. The nightlife is great. New Orleans is closer to where I’m from, and I have a lot of friends there. I really like the people and the hospitality, and the food, of course.
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the U.S., where would you live?
Texas, probably Houston. It’s a big city and there’s a lot of land around there. I want to get a big house with a lot of land and have some dogs.
When you walk into the locker room, who’s one person who can always make you smile?
Definitely Coach Grif (tight ends coach Nate Griffin). There’s also (academic coordinator) Cailey Edwards. As for players, it would be any of my RBs.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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