July 09, 2009 | Football
Appearing in 13 games and making six starts, junior fullback Shaun Chapas played a crucial role in the Bulldog offense last season. A leader on the field, Chapas has also been recognized for his academic achievements. This is the third installment of a series of “Catching up” with current Bulldogs.
Q: What have been some areas in your game that you have been working to improve this summer?
Chapas: Everything overall. One major improvement that I have worked on is to become more of a leader on this team. Besides that, I've worked hard on my fundamentals such as footwork, hand placement, power-step technique and blocking.
Q: In an interview with senior defensive back Prince Miller, he mentioned you as having stepped up into a leadership role. What is driving you to be that leader?
Chapas: I want the team to do well and in order for that to happen, you need to have good leadership. Plus, looking around the running backs room, I'm the oldest guy in there alongside Fred Munzenmaier and Justin Fields. It's our time to step up and show the younger guys what needs to be done.
Q: Who are some of the guys, beside yourself that have become leaders for the team?
Chapas: Lots of guys have taken the initiative to become leaders. Guys like Rennie Curran, Clint Boling, Joe Cox, Michael Moore, Prince Miller and Bryan Evans. I could really keep going because everyone has shown good leadership. Then you have Jeff Owens and Kade Weston as well.
Q: With Knowshon Moreno leaving for the NFL (12th overall draft pick by Denver Broncos), you and Munzenmaier will be blocking for a young backfield. Is there any added pressure for you guys?
Chapas: No not really. If everyone does their job and plays assignment football, we'll be fine no matter who is running the ball. It just comes down to executing and knowing what to do and doing it well.
Q: What do you think fans and the team can expect from Carlton Thomas, Caleb King, Richard Samuel, Dontavius Jackson and Kalvin Daniels, among the other running backs?
Chapas: They are fun and exciting guys to watch run the ball. I enjoy watching film when they have the ball. They are awesome playmakers and they run the ball well.
Q: You and Munzenmaier have formed a friendship over the last several years as roommates and playing the same position. How has this friendship played a role into a great competition at fullback?
Chapas: He has always had my back and I've had his from day one. We compete on the field and make each other that much better. At the end of the day we are still very good friends.
Q: You were called upon last year to fill the void left by the injury of Brannan Southerland and you surpassed a lot of expectations. How has gaining that experience and confidence helped you prepare for this upcoming season?
Chapas: Getting that experience was crucial. Last offseason I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. Now, going into this year, I know exactly what to expect and I have a much better understanding of what it's all about.
Q: Bryan McClendon, at 25 years old, is one of the younger assistant coaches in the nation. How has having someone so close to your age as your position coach helped you?
Chapas: He is a good coach and can obviously relate to us. He remembers what it is like to be a player here. He is a young and energetic guy who will tell you like it is. We all love that about him and he is a pleasure to play for.
Q: Last summer there was the pressure of being ranked preseason No. 1. This year's team comes in slightly lower ranked. What kind of difference does it make not having that added pressure?
Chapas: It is easier to fly under the radar. Personally I don't pay it much attention; I don't even know what we are ranked going into next year. Last year we would say ‘It doesn't matter where you are at the beginning of the season. It matters where you are at the end.' That's how we are looking at it and we are just going to try and win the first game and take it from there.
Q: There has been mention from many players that this has been the hardest working summer they have been around. Do you attribute this to the underdog role? Is there a feeling among the team of needing to prove themselves?
Chapas: To me and the guys that I came in with, we haven't won a championship since we have been here. That is obviously something that everyone aspires to do at this level. We are all driven to win. We set high expectations for ourselves and we work hard to try and live up to those expectations.
Q: What are your thoughts on traveling to Stillwater, Okla., to play a preseason top-10 Oklahoma State team in the season opener?
Chapas: It will be exciting. I've heard they have a brand new stadium (Boone Pickens Stadium). They have a great team and we have a big challenge ahead of us. It should be a great game.
Q: What does it mean to the offense to be getting offensive linemen Trinton Sturdivant and Vince Vance, among others, back from injury?
Chapas: I love it. Having the whole offensive line back and with another year of experience is huge for us. It should really help us out.
Q: Having Matthew Stafford (No. 1 overall pick by Detroit Lions) and Moreno leave for the NFL, there are questions about what the productivity of the offense will be this season. What is the potential of this offense?
Chapas: I think we will be all right. We need to just make sure we know what to do and execute. If we can do those two things, we'll be fine.
Q: What have been some areas in your game that you have been working to improve this summer?
Chapas: Everything overall. One major improvement that I have worked on is to become more of a leader on this team. Besides that, I've worked hard on my fundamentals such as footwork, hand placement, power-step technique and blocking.
Q: In an interview with senior defensive back Prince Miller, he mentioned you as having stepped up into a leadership role. What is driving you to be that leader?
Chapas: I want the team to do well and in order for that to happen, you need to have good leadership. Plus, looking around the running backs room, I'm the oldest guy in there alongside Fred Munzenmaier and Justin Fields. It's our time to step up and show the younger guys what needs to be done.
Q: Who are some of the guys, beside yourself that have become leaders for the team?
Chapas: Lots of guys have taken the initiative to become leaders. Guys like Rennie Curran, Clint Boling, Joe Cox, Michael Moore, Prince Miller and Bryan Evans. I could really keep going because everyone has shown good leadership. Then you have Jeff Owens and Kade Weston as well.
Q: With Knowshon Moreno leaving for the NFL (12th overall draft pick by Denver Broncos), you and Munzenmaier will be blocking for a young backfield. Is there any added pressure for you guys?
Chapas: No not really. If everyone does their job and plays assignment football, we'll be fine no matter who is running the ball. It just comes down to executing and knowing what to do and doing it well.
Q: What do you think fans and the team can expect from Carlton Thomas, Caleb King, Richard Samuel, Dontavius Jackson and Kalvin Daniels, among the other running backs?
Chapas: They are fun and exciting guys to watch run the ball. I enjoy watching film when they have the ball. They are awesome playmakers and they run the ball well.
Q: You and Munzenmaier have formed a friendship over the last several years as roommates and playing the same position. How has this friendship played a role into a great competition at fullback?
Chapas: He has always had my back and I've had his from day one. We compete on the field and make each other that much better. At the end of the day we are still very good friends.
Q: You were called upon last year to fill the void left by the injury of Brannan Southerland and you surpassed a lot of expectations. How has gaining that experience and confidence helped you prepare for this upcoming season?
Chapas: Getting that experience was crucial. Last offseason I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. Now, going into this year, I know exactly what to expect and I have a much better understanding of what it's all about.
Q: Bryan McClendon, at 25 years old, is one of the younger assistant coaches in the nation. How has having someone so close to your age as your position coach helped you?
Chapas: He is a good coach and can obviously relate to us. He remembers what it is like to be a player here. He is a young and energetic guy who will tell you like it is. We all love that about him and he is a pleasure to play for.
Q: Last summer there was the pressure of being ranked preseason No. 1. This year's team comes in slightly lower ranked. What kind of difference does it make not having that added pressure?
Chapas: It is easier to fly under the radar. Personally I don't pay it much attention; I don't even know what we are ranked going into next year. Last year we would say ‘It doesn't matter where you are at the beginning of the season. It matters where you are at the end.' That's how we are looking at it and we are just going to try and win the first game and take it from there.
Q: There has been mention from many players that this has been the hardest working summer they have been around. Do you attribute this to the underdog role? Is there a feeling among the team of needing to prove themselves?
Chapas: To me and the guys that I came in with, we haven't won a championship since we have been here. That is obviously something that everyone aspires to do at this level. We are all driven to win. We set high expectations for ourselves and we work hard to try and live up to those expectations.
Q: What are your thoughts on traveling to Stillwater, Okla., to play a preseason top-10 Oklahoma State team in the season opener?
Chapas: It will be exciting. I've heard they have a brand new stadium (Boone Pickens Stadium). They have a great team and we have a big challenge ahead of us. It should be a great game.
Q: What does it mean to the offense to be getting offensive linemen Trinton Sturdivant and Vince Vance, among others, back from injury?
Chapas: I love it. Having the whole offensive line back and with another year of experience is huge for us. It should really help us out.
Q: Having Matthew Stafford (No. 1 overall pick by Detroit Lions) and Moreno leave for the NFL, there are questions about what the productivity of the offense will be this season. What is the potential of this offense?
Chapas: I think we will be all right. We need to just make sure we know what to do and execute. If we can do those two things, we'll be fine.
Saturday, October 31
Saturday, October 31
Saturday, October 31
Friday, October 30