2028 QB JJ Chapman Talks Wisconsin Camp, Recruitment

With that in mind, what would you say is your biggest strength on the field? What do you think went well last year?

"Honestly, something I think that I got super good at, and I think is more of an intangible, is becoming a better leader. I think I definitely developed in that stance, and then also just watching film and becoming a very good student of the game. I think that's definitely something I've grown." 

"On the field, I think just being able to play comfortably in the pocket and out of the pocket, whether it's on the run, on the move, or just with pressure in the pocket, being able to throw a clean ball. I think my feet and timing are something else I've really been working on, and I think that's something that's really going to help me a lot this year."

Is your injury from last season something that is impacting your approach to training?

Obviously, an injury can be tough mentally and physically. But I think the biggest thing was believing in God, believing in his timing, believing that everything happens for a reason. I think just trusting the process was something big. It took a lot, but it was overall good for me because I got to learn about my body, and I got to learn more about football, I think. I took a huge leap mentally, and I think that's a big reason why."

"I've been really grinding at physical therapy and getting my body back to where it was, and honestly, right now it feels better than it was before the injury."

Looking at your recruitment, you have a couple of offers now, and you are getting some interest from some bigger programs too. What has it been like early in your recruitment process?

"I think in the recruiting process for a lot of kids, and even including me, if I'm going to be honest, I think you can get ahead of yourself. But I think just keeping it down to earth and being able to be real with yourself. I'm super blessed, not a lot of kids get this opportunity to travel. I have amazing parents. I'm just taking it one day at a time, trying to find where the best fit is for me. I'm a big relationships guy, so trying to build relationships with the coaches, seeing where I would like to play football the most."

"But right now, I'm just really worried about winning football games, being a great teammate and I think the recruiting process will all play out by itself."

What are you looking for in a college program, both athletically and academically?

"I think the most important thing I'm looking for in a football program is number one has to be relationships. I really want a Christian-based school, I know Ohio State does, I know Notre Dame does, I know Minnesota does, schools like that. They have that faith because that's really important to me."

"A school that has good relationship with their whole team. When you walk into a place you can usually tell how the players and coaches interact and that's huge for me. Also, just a winning program. I want to go to a school that's going to win games."

"I also want a school that's going to prepare me for the next level, because the end goal is not just to become a great college player, but to become a great NFL player, so I want a school that's going to develop me put me into that next level."

So how important is it to you and your family to stay in-state and potentially play for Wisconsin?

"I think staying home is obviously huge. I think playing at home where my parents and my family can come watch is huge because they are my biggest supporters, having them come watch my games is huge for me."

You talked about the importance of relationships and talked specifically about Coach Guiton, but what about Coach Grimes? Have you had a chance to talk with him at all?

"So Coach Grimes, I got to speak with briefly. He said he was impressed and he was watching me a lot. I haven't really had time to sit down with him but when I come back for a game I would love to be able to talk to him and talk to Coach Fick a little bit more because I think that's important, and obviously talk with Coach Guiton."

"I think being able to have a sit down conversation with them, whether it's five minutes or 30 minutes, to get to know them better is super important to me. So I think that's something I'm looking forward to."

Do you have a timeline for making a decision? Are you looking to wrap up your recruitment sooner to help recruit or do you want to really take your time to make sure you are making the right decision?

"I think when the time right, the time is right. My family plays a big part into it, my religion plays a big part into it, I think just trusting the process is important. But I do agree that I should be able to commit to a school earlier than most recruits because I want to be able to help recruit and bring guys into the school." 

"I'm a firm believer in committing to a school and staying committed to a school, so whenever that time is right, committing to a school and help bringing high-level talent to that school is going to be important to me."

What are some things you enjoy doing outside of football?

"I'd like to describe myself as a film junkie. So a lot of outside of football is still football. Whether it's watching film, just studying up, making plays, talking to coaches, and just expanding my knowledge of the game. I do enjoy reading a little bit, doing yoga, just finding some peace with myself to be able to stay at the highest level. I really enjoy working out and then just hanging out with people. I think one of the biggest things for me outside of football is just to find peace with myself.

Which quarterback or quarterbacks do you model your game after or watch for inspiration?

"Obviously growing up in Wisconsin, you watch Aaron Rodgers. It's hard not to want to be like Aaron Rodgers. His footwork and his gunslinger mentality is something that I've always watched and kept in the back of my mind."

"But recently, especially at Ohio State and now with the Houston Texans, I'm a huge C.J. Stroud fan. I love the way that he plays football. He plays very articulate and the way he picks apart defenses, taking what the defense gives him and just playing to the strength of his offense."

"A little bit of Matt Stafford too, just being able to pick them apart with his mind and having a strong arm, which is something I think that correlates to my game, so those three guys are people I like to watch."

Is there anything Wisconsin fans would like to know about you that they don't already know?

"I think the biggest thing I'd want Wisconsin fans, or any fans in general, to know about me is that I love giving back to my community. I think giving back, and giving kids an opportunity -- you know, I was once a kid at Camp Randall watching games from in the upper decks. I think it's cool to be able to give back because if I heard from a player back in the day I would get super excited so I would want to continue that on."