Chatman was born on December 5, 2000, and grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana.[1] He is the youngest of four siblings.[2] He started playing football at age six and showed "incredible" strength from a young age; according to The Dallas Morning News, he was able to lift 225 pounds (102 kg) in seventh grade with only "slight difficulty".[2] He attended Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport where he was a standout lineman, being named the LSWA Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year, first-team all-state and the district most valuable player as a senior.[3]
At SMU, Chatman mainly played as a defensive lineman, but also saw time at fullback.[6] He appeared in 11 games as a freshman in 2019, recording 11 tackles and a half-sack, being selected American Athletic Conference (AAC) All-Academic.[3] He started all 10 games in the 2020 season, posting 25 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs), 3.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries.[3] In 2021, he started 11-of-12 games and totaled 40 tackles, 10 TFLs and 2.5 sacks, earning second-team All-AAC hobors.[3]
By the 2022 season, Chatman was able to bench press 495 pounds (225 kg), was able to do 42 consecutive reps at 225 pounds (102 kg) (something only 11 NFL Scouting Combine participants were ever able to surpass), back-squat 615 pounds (279 kg) and power clean 315 pounds (143 kg).[7] Prior to the season, he earned a spot on Bruce Feldman of The Athletic's "freaks" list, highlighting the most athletic college football players.[7] That year, he started 11-of-13 games and recorded 39 tackles, four TFLs and three sacks, being chosen second-team All-AAC and to the Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas second-team.[3] He returned for a final season in 2023 and started 11 games, posting 33 tackles, nine TFLs and 5.5 sacks, being selected first-team All-AAC.[8] He ended his collegiate career with 148 tackles, 34 TFLs and 13.5 sacks.[9] His 60 career games played also placed second in school history.[8]
