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Chatman’s back on the run

DeUnte Chatman wasn’t recruited by the University of New Hampshire as a running back, but his resume suggests he can play the position.

Chatman, who moved from linebacker to running back last spring, holds the Summer Creek (Houston) High School record for rushing touchdowns and single-season rushing yards. He posted back-to-back 200-yard rushing performances as a senior, when he averaged 8.0 yards per carry.

Chatman also ran for 1,132 yards and 16 TDs on 92 carries (12.3 yards per carry) at Loomis Chaffee, a prep school in Windsor, Conn. So Chatman was an obvious choice the help fill the void in UNH’s offensive backfield after Trevon Bryant suffered a season-ending knee injury in spring practice.

“It (changing positions) happened toward the end of spring ball.,” Chatman explained. “We had like five or six practices left to go. Right after Trevon Bryant went down with the injury and he was out for the season, a couple days later Coach Mac (UNH coach Sean McDonnell) brought me into his office and said he wanted to take a look at me at running back for the last five or six practices and see what I could do, and after those practices he said he was going to keep me there for the season. I made the change and I’ll do the best I can to help this team win.”

Chatman redshirted last season. He gained 24 yards on six carries Tuesday in UNH’s Blue/White game. He also caught one pass for 10 yards.

Chatman, a freshman athletically, will be vying for playing time with senior Donald Goodrich, senior Jerickson Fedrick and sophomore Evan Gray.

“Really nothing, other than the way the running backs ran with the ball,” McDonnell said, when he was asked what stood out about Tuesday scrimmage. “We have four guys who can play that position and 42 (Chatman) has had a very, very good camp.”

Chatman said he had no preference regarding a position when he committed to UNH.

“Coming in it didn’t really matter to me if it was offense or defense,” he said. “I just wanted to get on the field and help my team win. Contribute whichever way possible — offense, defense, special teams. However I could.

“I was comfortable (at running back) right away. I played (running back) throughout high school, even at prep in Connecticut — I played offense there as a running back, so I came in knowing the ins and outs of it.”

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