Elizabeth Forward DE Chase Whatton Commits to Bowling Green

It would be hard to identify a WPIAL 2021 recruit that had his recruiting profile increase more since February than Chase Whatton.

The talented defensive end from Elizabeth Forward went from virtually unknown in the recruiting circles to earning more than 35 scholarship offers and getting raised to a three-star recruit by Rivals.

All of that despite not having the opportunity to workout in team and individual camps during the spring and summer.

Whatton’s ultimate goal was to earn scholarships and eventually commit to a D-I program, which he did on Wednesday as he made a verbal commitment to attend Bowling Green.

“I decided to go the MAC school route as they’re one of the higher rated conferences in FBS football,” Whatton told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “The process of making this decision wasn’t easy at all, it really wasn’t because when you build relationships with this many coaches, but in the end you have to remember it’s a business and you have to do what’s best for you and I believe Bowling Green is best for me.”

Courtesy of Ben Bamford

With over 30 offers to pick from, what made Bowling Green feel like the school for Whatton?

”They were one of the first, actually the fifth school to offer me back in February. The constant love they’ve shown me since February has been great. Every single day I just felt the love from their entire coaching staff and I’ve been the number one priority for them on defense. You always want to feel wanted and I feel super wanted at Bowling Green. They’ve told me I’ll play all 4 years there and have a great future there. Sometimes you just want to go to a place where you believe you can be a great one when you leave and I believe I can do that at Bowling Green.”

Courtesy of Mike Darnay

Whatton isn’t the first WPIAL player to commit to play at a MAC program this year and looks forward meeting up and playing against his fellow Western Pennsylvania alum in the future.

”Yeah, Corban Hondru from Peters Township, Myles Walker from Central Valley, Noah Roach from Penn Hills and more. I’ll be great to play against those guys in a game and afterwards get a picture and say “412”. I’m excited for that and everything that’s to come.”