Jeremiah Chapman's Among The Nations Best

[FirefightnRick]

Unless I'm missing something(and I could be so let me know), in checking the stats I believe Chappy has a great chance of ending the regular season as the nations top defensive linemen in tackles. As you know he's led the team in tackles in 3 of the previous 4 games including an amazing 16 against wKYjelly.

#90 currrently has 70 tackles, 44 solo in 11 games. In keeping track of tackles, per the NCAA they only keep track of TOTAL TACKLES, SOLO TACKLES, and TACKLES FOR LOSS.

The TOTAL TACKLES is dominated by DB's and LB's and the NCAA only lists the top 106 players but he's just shy of a little over 2 tackles per game from being listed in this category, and would be the sole D Lineman on the list. That's incredible especially for a Defensive End who has to play on one side of the field?

The SOLO TACKLES of course are also dominated by DB's and LB's yet his 44 SOLO TACKLES is only a percentage point away from him being listed there too and would also be the sole D Lineman on this sheet as well. Simply incredible.

The TACKLES FOR LOSS stat sheet is dominated by D Lineman of course and he's currently tied at 42nd with 13 TFL's with an average of 1.18 per game. However, there's not a list sheet for most tackles solely by a D Lineman, so this list is the only thing I can find that has the nations leading D Linemen and their total tackles listed. So I'm figuring in the fact that if your leading in TFL's your among the nations elite? If you go by this TFL list, Chappy who has 70 total tackles to date is only behind three players: Virginia's Chris Long with 75, Alabama's Wallace Gilberry with 72 tackles and Eastern Michigan's Jason Jones with 70, same as Chapman. But all three men have racked up their totals in 12 games, not 11. Chapman needs 6 tackles next week to overtake all three and finish as the leading tackling D Lineman in the nation.

Thoughts?

Rick

[Cr1028]

Wow! I had no idea. Congrats on a great season to JC!

[GrandGreen]

I am not sure everyone is aware of what a great game Jeremiah Chapman had against WKU. 16 tackles by a defensive lineman is almost unheard of.

Edited November 26, 2007 by GrandGreen

[FirefightnRick]

I am not everyone is aware of what a great game Jeremiah Chapman had against WKU. 16 tackles by a defensive lineman is almost unheard of.

Especially a defensive end where your assigned to half the field? I truly did not realize he led the team in tackles in 3 of the past 4 games, much less overall.

Rick

[Mean Green 93-98]

Our beat writer needs to be made aware of this. That is amazing.

[Green92]

Thanks for bringing this up Rick. I lose track of who has done what when watching the game live. I knew he was having a good game, but had no idea he had that many tackles.

[UNT Mean Green]

Nice research FFR. After double-checking your assumption, I'll second you and say that is accurate information. Chapman and Gilmore both have had outstanding years, and Chapman definitely plays with a motor. Yes, he is aligned on one side of the field, but has made plays sideline to sideline...and that's what coaches want: A defensive player that flies to the football.

[FirefightnRick]

I knew I would flub this up. It's been pointed out to me that Notre Dame's DE Trevor Laws has 112 tackles on the season. He's on the Total Tackles list, but NOT on the Tackle For Loss list. That's a bit strange to have that many tackles but only 9 tackles for loss? Even more strange is that according to the ND website Laws, who was rewarded a 5th year this season only had 112 career tackles prior to this season. He started 13 games last year at DT and only recorded 62 tackles. This year after moving over as DE he's more than doubled that count.

There possibly could be more DL's who have more tackles but do not show up on these lists. But it's safe to say Chapman will be among the top nationally in the DL category.

Rick