When Matt Campbell took the reins at Penn State, he wasted no time putting his stamp on the program - and that started with the recruiting trail. With just two signees in the Nittany Lions' 2026 class at the time of his arrival, Campbell turned back to familiar territory: the Iowa State class he had just left behind.
One of the first names to follow him east was Tyrell Chatman, a dynamic defensive back from North Star High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chatman had already signed with Iowa State, but after Campbell’s move to Happy Valley, the four-star athlete flipped his commitment to Penn State. And it’s not hard to see why the Nittany Lions are excited about this one.
Chatman isn’t just a football player - he’s a full-on athlete. On the track, he’s been lighting it up in Nebraska’s Class A division, clocking a 48.19 in the 400 meters (good for silver) and a 21.61 in the 200 meters (bronze). He’s also broken the 10.8-second barrier in the 100, showing off the kind of top-end speed that translates well to the defensive backfield.
But don’t mistake him for a track star who’s still figuring out football. Chatman is a football player first, and a versatile one at that.
He played quarterback in high school, showcasing his athleticism and football IQ, but it’s at cornerback where he projects long-term. His senior season saw him rack up 37 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 total touchdowns on offense - a stat line that speaks to his all-around impact.
What stands out about Chatman is his potential as a zone corner. He’s long, fast, and instinctive - the kind of player who can cover ground quickly and make plays on the ball.
He’s still raw in some areas, but with a full-time focus on defense at Penn State, there’s a strong belief that he could develop into a difference-maker. One recruiting insider even called him a potential “steal” for the Nittany Lions.
Chatman’s journey has already been a winding one. He initially committed to Northern Illinois after a standout junior year, only to be flipped by Iowa State in April. Now, with Campbell in charge at Penn State, he’s set to wear blue and white - a move that could pay off big for both sides.
He’s not the only Nebraska native making the move. Safety Bryson Williams, another defensive back from the Cornhusker State, has also followed Campbell to Penn State, further signaling the coach’s intent to bring trusted talent with him as he builds his new foundation.
But Campbell knows this isn’t just about bringing in familiar faces. The challenge at Penn State is different.
The bar is higher. Competing with the likes of Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana - programs currently sitting at the top of the Big Ten - means the Nittany Lions need elite-level talent.
Not every player from Iowa State’s class fits that mold, so Campbell and his staff are being selective.
So far, two Pennsylvania standouts - edge rusher Jackson Ford and quarterback Peyton Falzone - have signed with Penn State under interim coach Terry Smith. And with the January transfer portal window approaching, the roster-building process is far from over.
Still, Campbell made it clear during his introductory press conference: this program will be built on high school recruiting. He emphasized the importance of locking down Pennsylvania and the surrounding region, and of finding players who truly want to be part of the Penn State culture.
“Everything will start with building high school football recruiting and continuing to do a great job in this state and our surrounding states,” Campbell said. “Nobody is going to attack more than us.
I want young men that want to be here at Penn State, and want to win championships at Penn State. It has to start there.”
For Chatman, that journey is just beginning. And for Campbell, he’s already showing he’s not afraid to go back to what he knows - as long as it fits where he’s going.