Former wide receiver Chapman projected as top pick in 2018 CFL Draft


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Senior wide receiver Mark Chapman poses for a portrait on Mar. 16 in the Indoor Athletic Center. 

When Central Michigan wide receiver Mark Chapman’s mother, Pattie Chapman, was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, an opportunity for Mark to play in the Canadian Football League begun.

Mark is half-Canadian and projected to go No. 2 in the 2018 CFL Draft to Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The CFL Draft takes place on May 3 and is eligible to players from Canadian Universities, along with Canadian players in the NCAA. 

“It’s surreal to me,” Chapman said. “Being in the talks of playing ball at the next level makes me excited. I feel like I performed well at Pro Day and think we all did really well.” 

The CFL Draft Combine is in Winnipeg, Canada from March 23 to March 25. Mark will be in attendance to show his stuff after fashioning it for multiple CFL scouts at Central Michigan’s Pro Day on March 16. 

“After that, you are in limbo waiting on phone calls for workouts until the CFL Draft in May,” Chapman said. “A lot of coaches are looking forward to seeing me at the CFL Combine.” 

Scouts from the National Football League and Canadian Football League watch athletes participate in Central Michigan's 2018 Pro Day on March 16 at the Indoor Athletic Complex.

CMU head coach John Bonamego has spent time at the professional level as a coach for Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions. He joined the Chippewas as the head coach on Feb. 9, 2015. 

“Bono has been telling me to keep working hard and stay true to myself,” Chapman said. “He coached us to be good people and work hard, so I’ll keep doing that.” 

Reflecting on his time in Mount Pleasant, the 6-foot-0, 180-pound receiver will miss his teammates, coaches and the fan base. 

“Off the field, just hanging out with my teammates and brothers,” Chapman said. “It’s the little things like that which I’m going to miss the most. The brotherhood was awesome.” 

In his senior season, Chapman logged 59 receptions for 875 yards and five touchdowns. He registered 2,035 total receiving yards in his CMU career. 

Even though his time on the field is done, Chapman said he will be back to watch his football brothers compete in the near future. 

“I’m going to come back to watch my young boys at wide out and the young quarterback Tommy Lazzaro,” Chapman said. “I’m excited to watch those guys and be a fan for once.

“I’m a Chippewa for life. Amen.” 

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