How SMU’s Elijah Chatman’s incredible strength sets him up for success

[MightyGiants]

'Baby Bison': How SMU's Elijah Chatman's incredible strength sets him up for success
Chatman's been the strongest since he was a boy. That hasn't changed entering his senior year with the Mustangs.


Today, Chatman – known as the "Baby Bison," pronounced (BEE-ZAHN) with a French accent – is still not only the strongest at his school, but also one of the strongest college football players in the country. That seventh grader is now a senior defensive lineman for SMU. He can now bench 500 pounds. His current record for reps of 225 pounds – a day after lifting, at that – is 42. He did it to end summer workouts this year. Only 11 players in the history of the NFL Combine have done more.

But Chatman is more than his strength. He was a second-team all-conference selection last season. In the last month or so he's been named to numerous watch lists. In addition, with his immense strength, and his 6-foot size, he was named to Bruce Feldman's annual "freaks list" in college football – an honor given to college football players who can bring something unique to the table.

"He's a guy, man," said SMU defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux, a longtime coach at Oklahoma prior. "There's just so much power."

And with great power, comes great potential: a narrative that's always followed the Baby Bison.

MORE

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/smu-mustangs/2022/08/20/baby-bison-how-smus-elijah-chatmans-incredible-strength-sets-him-up-for-success/

[MightyGiants]

[Bob In PA]

He's the type of player that requires NFL knowledge to deal with (which is rarely possessed by college players).

You have to know how to use his momentum against him; otherwise, you've got a Lawrence Taylor type of situation.

You're not going to "bully" him; you gotta finesse him... big season ahead for the young man, IMO.

Bob

[files58]

He benches 500, what does he squat? That low center of gravity must generate a lot of power.

[uconnjack8]

Why wasn't he drafted?

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Why wasn't he drafted?

Same reason Ivan Pace Jr. wasn't drafted last year..."a couple inches too short"..."doesn't fit prototypical size for the NFL", etc. Pace turned out to be the best LB on the Vikings team last year even though he was a UDFA. Made the "All NFL Defensive Rookie Team"

Hopefully, this situation with Chatman is a similar situation concerning why he wasn't drafted. Maybe we catch lightning in a bottle

Look at his RAS Score Card...almost entirely green (elite) "strength, explosion, and speed", but overall score brought down big time by the red (very poor) because of his size and 3-cone. He's basically a low-to-the-ground wild badger in a trench




Notice Ivan Pace Jr.'s RAS score...you'd think he'd never make a team. Yet he just instinctively understands football and how to disrupt, sniff out the ball, and attack like an angry badger



Moral of the story: there's more to playing football than size and athleticism

[uconnjack8]

Same reason Ivan Pace Jr. wasn't drafted last year..."a couple inches too short"..."doesn't fit prototypical size for the NFL", etc. Pace turned out to be the best LB on the Vikings team last year even though he was a UDFA. Made the "All NFL Defensive Rookie Team"

Hopefully, this situation with Chatman is a similar situation concerning why he wasn't drafted. Maybe we catch lightning in a bottle

Look at his RAS Score Card...almost entirely green (elite) "strength, explosion, and speed", but overall score brought down big time by the red (very poor) because of his size and 3-cone. He's basically a low-to-the-ground wild badger in a trench




Notice Ivan Pace Jr.'s RAS score...you'd think he'd never make a team. Yet he just instinctively understands football and how to disrupt, sniff out the ball, and attack like an angry badger



Moral of the story: there's more to playing football than size and athleticism

Does he possess those same intangibles as Pace?

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Does he possess those same intangibles as Pace?

I don't know. Two different positions. Last year Pace was called by "Fansided" as the second best LB in the draft behind Jack Campbell. I had pushed for the Giants to draft him and was going crazy when he was still sitting there in the 7th and immediately disgusted when I saw the Vikings snatched him up as an UDFA

As far as Chatman goes - not a clue But you can bet I'll be watching him closely to see if he has that "it" factor...hope so