INMAN, SC - On Wednesday afternoon the Chapman Panthers football team saw three players that have been key parts of their success the last few seasons sign to continue their football careers at the college level next season.
"I think a lot of people forget about all the commitment that we ask from these kids and the standard we hold them to do so these days are always fun to see them get rewarded," said Chapman head football coach Harry Cabaniss. "We're going to have more guys get this opportunity and this day just puts a stamp on what you did and gives you an opportunity to do the same thing at the next level." On the offensive side of the ball the Panthers saw their record setting quarterback and wide receiver duo commit to play ball at the next level. Chapman quarterback Drew Settle committed to Western Carolina University on Wednesday, where he will look to major in human biology with a plan to be an athletic trainer, after a record setting season that saw him throw for 3,689 yards, 38 touchdowns, and three rushing touchdowns. He said that the familiarity he felt with Western Carolina was one of the main reasons to continue his career with the Catamounts next season. "Western Carolina just feels like home and I feel like I just fit in well there," said Settle. "When I went to visit, I just really enjoyed my time there and it just reminded me a lot of Chapman with the way they do things and building a culture. I believe I can go there and compete because my playing style matches up well with what they do." Settle said he felt proud of the legacy that he's leaving behind at Chapman High School, as it was something he hoped to do when he first started at Chapman. "When I first came here, I wanted to make sure I left something behind for others to look at as inspiration in the future," said Settle. "I feel like I've done that and glad I've been able to call Chapman home along with all the opportunities I've been given here." DJ Black, who finished his Panther career with many receiving records, made the choice on Wednesday to continue his football career at the University of South Carolina next season. He finished this season with 79 receptions for 1,445 yards with 18 touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Black says that the opportunity to play at South Carolina is a dream for him, where he plans to major in architecture. "South Carolina has always been a dream school for me," said Black. "Once I got to meet with the coaches and being on campus it just sealed the deal for me. Just feeling the appreciation from the coaches and knowing they wanted me there was enough for me to make the decision to commit there." A former Panther, Deebo Samuel whose records Black broke at Chapman, also played for South Carolina and Black said that seeing Samuel play there showed him he could do the same thing. "I grew up a South Carolina fan and to see a guy I watched in high school go there just kind of paved the way to show me that I can do the same thing," said Black. On the defensive side of the ball linebacker Andrew Melton signed to continue his football career at Erskine next season. Melton finished this past season 117 tackles, 12 pass break-ups, six tackles for loss, four interceptions, one forced fumble, and one sack. He said that the culture and a chance to set the tone for a new program are the reasons he chose to pick Erskine, where he plans on majoring in sports medicine. "I went on a visit in January and they offered me but when I was there I just really liked the culture," said Melton. "I like how they're really aggressive on defense and just like the coaches." Melton also added that the opportunity to play for a rather new program was an opportunity he was looking forward to this season. "When I went on the visit Coach talked about how we had the opportunity to set the destiny of the program," said Melton. "I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to build upon that." Coach Cabaniss said that it's not just these three guys that take pride in them going to play at the next level but that each teammate takes pride in it because they know they helped get those guys to this spot. "I think our guys understand not everyone gets this opportunity and they take pride in the part they had in getting these guys to this spot," said Cabaniss. "Our three guys here understand it takes a village to get to this opportunity and that now they'll be representing all of Chapman at the next level and I know they're excited about that." He also added that while his team preaches a next man up mentality, it will be impossible to replace what these three guys brought to the program over their careers. "I'm never going to be able to replace guys like these three guys," said Cabaniss. "It doesn't matter if we have great players at these positions down the road, we're never going to have three guys like this again. They're special both on and off the field as it's not what they do on game day but what they do Monday thru Thursday as well. You can't just recreate guys like that." |
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