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So your team has just drafted Tevin Coleman, huh? Well, here are the basics of what you need to know about the former IU running back who will soon be joining your team.
In Tevin Coleman, you are getting a dynamic back who has the ability to break through any defense. Coleman ran for 2,000 yards last season, scoring 15 touchdowns and averaging 7.5 yards per carry, all in only 12 games.
Let me reiterate that.
He ran for 2,000 yards at Indiana University, a school whose football team has made just one bowl game in only 20 years. On a team that finished 4-8 on the season. In addition, he was one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the top running back in college football each season. Thus, the fact that Coleman was able to put up such numbers on a team that has historically not been very good is quite a feat, and makes me believe that he can succeed anywhere.
Three things to know about Coleman's running style
1. It's boom or bust when he has the ball. Coleman might only gain a yard or two on a few carries in a row. Then, out of nowhere, he'll bust out a 75-yard touchdown. This has been part of the thrill of watching Coleman over the past couple years - you'll never know when he's going to break out a huge play for your team. It's an adrenaline rush even just watching him on your couch.
2. He's primarily a north-south running back who tries to get downfield as quickly as possible. Coleman has the ability to get through tackles, and is more likely to run down the middle of the field and cut to the outside later once he's broken through the defense, instead of trying to cut to the sidelines right from the line of scrimmage.
3. He's a master of finding the open spaces. Coleman's downfield vision is what will make him such an asset to any NFL team. Once he does get into the open, his breakneck speed makes him tough for defenders to catch.
Three things to watch for in training camp
1. How will Coleman adapt outside Kevin Wilson's fast-paced spread offense? Coleman played in a great system for his strengths at Indiana - one in which he was able to use his speed and his skillset to great advantage. With Coleman moving to more of a pro-style offense from what he played for in Bloomington, I'll be interested to see how he adapts.
2. Can he be the starter from day one? At 6-1 and 210 pounds, Coleman is not an undersized back by any means. So he's not a "raw talent" and could be ready to go on day one. However, this really depends on how he performs in the preseason, along with what other running backs are on his team. Maybe it might be best for Coleman to not be thrust into the starting role right away and study under a veteran RB for a year? Or perhaps a team is looking for Coleman as a change-of-pace guy to use on third downs?
3. Will he still have injury concerns? This is actually another remarkable feat of Coleman's: he ran most of his 2,000 yards last season on a broken toe. If this injury is still nagging by the summer, however, it may affect how he performs in training camp. It would be a shame if he aggravated something before his professional career even started.
As you can see, we are all big Tevin Coleman fans on this blog, as he was a great player to have at IU for three seasons, and we're hopeful that he'll go on and do great things in the league.
Still not convinced?
Here, go watch this highlight reel from his last season as a Hoosier.