Tevin Coleman

Coleman thrived in a Wing-T offense in high school so he faced a transition to a between-the-tackles running back role in Bloomington. Coleman served as mostly a reserve as a true freshman and led the team with 566 yards on 24 kick returns (23.6), including a 96-yard touchdown return. He became the starter as a sophomore in 2013 and started the first nine games before an ankle injury ended his season, finishing just shy of 1,000 rushing yards and earning Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. Coleman had his best season in 2014 as a junior, becoming the 18th FBS player to reach the 2,000-yard rushing mark in a single season, setting a new school record with 2,036 rushing yards. He led the country in 20- (10) and 50-yard (6) touchdown runs and finished his career with 15 100-yard rushing performances. Coleman earned First Team All-Big Ten honors and was one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award in recognition for his historic junior season (even received two first-place votes for the Heisman Trophy, finishing seventh). He decided to skip his final year of eligibility and enter the 2015 NFL Draft. Coleman dominated against some suspect Big Ten run defenses, but he was also productive for a one-trick offense where he was clearly the main weapon and couldn't be stopped. He is a big play waiting to happen if he can break initial contact, tearing through the open field where he can get his momentum going. Coleman has some deceiving power and attacks the line with a head of steam, but doesn't consistently run behind his pads and his taller stature can't be masked all the time. Coleman is arguably the best three-down back in this draft class because of his ability in pass protection and catching the ball.

soft hands as a receiver and reliable catching the ball in space or tight spaces. nice job bodying up defenders in pass protection and not shy about extending his arms and being aggressive with his hands, showing a lot of promise in this area. has experience as a return man on kickoffs and could fill that role in the nfl if needed.

Durable and toughs his way through minor bumps and bruises. Displays stamina and didn't wear down late in games, averaging 8.4 yards per carry in the second half of games in 2014. Strong character on the field and away from the game, earning high praise from his coaches for his work ethic and accountability. Impressive production, averaging 142.6 rushing yards per start and 7.5 yards per carry the last two seasons as the full-time starter.

hits his top speed quickly with long-striding acceleration and natural burst. races away from defenders with his striding long-speed to hit the home run, posting an impressive touchdown distance of 40.3 yards and leading the country with eight 60-yard runs in 2014.

Doesn't have any trouble changing directions with excellent balance. Sees the field well with vision to read blocks and find holes, making himself skinny and keeping his pads square to the line of scrimmage.

lacks the creative elusiveness to dance his way out of trouble in the open field, showing more of a one-cut style to dart through creases. has some tightness in his running style, struggling to fluidly change directions on a dime. will chop his feet at times when the hole isn't there and shows some indecisiveness at the line of scrimmage. good field speed at the second level, but will never be the fastest player in an nfl stadium.

Ball security has room for improvement, especially at the contact point, with four fumbles (three lost) in 2014.

weaknesses

High pad level can be an issue at times due to his taller stature, making a big target for tacklers. Tapered and slender frame and near maxed out physically, lacking ideal body type for the position. Average power and doesn't run with much shock to deliver hits.

strengths

Narrow frame, but good thickness and muscle tone on his body. Runs with a physical temperament and good body strength, lowering his pads to plow into defenders at the line of scrimmage and run through arm tackles. Works off contact with his aggressive run style and toughness to finish carries, almost always falling forward.

compares to

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys - With similar body types and run styles, Coleman mirrors a lot of what Murray does on the football field, running with athleticism, toughness and the home-run ability to carry an offense.

Running back, wide receiver and cornerback for head coach Brian McDonough at Oak Forest High School

also returned kicks and punts

named the Pepsi-Cola/Southtown Star, the South Suburban Conference and the Daily Southtown Player of the Year in 2011

first team all-state selection rushed for 949 yards on 83 carries (11.4 average) with 13 touchdowns

also had 16 receptions for 345 yards (21.6) and five TDs

returned two kickoffs for scores and recorded 44 tackles with two interceptions

rated the No. 12 prospect in Illinois and the No. 37 running back nationally by Rivals.com

finished second at the 2011 Illinois Class 2A track meet in the long jump (23-0.25) for the second straight year and fourth in the 100m (10.86).

Parents are Wister and Adlevia Coleman

born on April 16, 1993, Tevin Ford Coleman is a general studies major.