Will Chapman was a highly accomplished three-sport athlete at EHS, capping his career as co-captain of the varsity football team during his senior year. As the leading defensive player, he anchored a dominant defense on an undefeated 9-0 team that secured the IAC championship and defeated rival Woodberry Forest, 40-10. His stellar defensive play earned him first-team All-IAC honors in both his junior and senior years, alongside an Honorable Mention All-Met selection in football as a junior.

Will’s athleticism extended to the court and the field. He was a starting forward on the state championship basketball team and was named to the Virginia State Championship All-Tournament Team during his senior year. Additionally, he served as a starting midfielder for the varsity lacrosse team. His former lacrosse coach Pete Gillin noted, “Will was a powerful two-way midfielder. He was big, fast, and athletic. He loved contact, was strong on ground balls, and was a great teammate.”

Following graduation, Will attended the University of North Carolina, where he joined the Tar Heels football program as a walk-on defensive tackle. As a freshman, he played in every game, recording 31 tackles, including 21 solo stops. Averaging 19.2 snaps per game, his hard work earned him a full athletic scholarship before his sophomore season. He went on to start the first eight games of his sophomore year before tearing ligaments in his knee. Despite the shortened season, Will recorded 29 tackles, including 14 solo stops, three tackles for loss, and two pass deflections while anchoring a defensive line that featured future NFL Draft picks Julius Peppers, Ryan Sims, and Joey Evans.