RB Tevin Coleman Will Enter NFL Draft
/
Indiana running back Tevin Coleman will forego his senior year and enter the NFL Draft in the spring. Image Source: Chicago Tribune
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The day that Hoosier fans were waiting for has finally come. Indiana’s consensus All-American running back Tevin Coleman will forego his senior season and officially declare for the NFL Draft according to ESPN’s Joe Schad. Schad also said that Coleman is a probable first rounder and that it is Coleman’s “dream” to play in the NFL. At 6’1 210 lbs, Coleman has great size and speed that should translate to the next level. Scout Inc. added that he has the patience needed to allow blockers to set up in front of him. Coleman has the knack also for the big play, leading the nation in 20- (10), 30- (9), 40- (8), 50- (6) and 60- (5), and he is tied for the top spot in 70- (3), 80- (2) and 90-yard (1) TD runs.
Despite the Hoosiers having a disappointing 4-8 season, Tevin Coleman had a record setting season. He set the school record for rushing yards in a single season with 2,036 yards, just the 18th FBS ever to crack the 2,000-yard mark, scored 15 touchdowns, and averaged 7.5 yards per carry. Coleman was named a consensus All-American, made first team All-Big Ten, and was named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award for the nation’s best running back. For his three-year career in Bloomington, Coleman finished with 3,219 career yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground.
In a statement released by Indiana University Athletics, Coleman thanked his "family, coaches, teammates, and fans for their unwavering support" he added that "coming to Indiana University was an incredible opportunity for me. Everyone at IU and in Bloomington has demonstrated why this place is so special." Coleman also thanked Hoosiers' head coach Kevin Wilson and running backs coach Delland McCullough for recruiting him and giving him the chance of playing Big Ten Football. Coleman closed with saying
"Indiana University is an extraordinary place and I will always cherish the experience I had here. One of the achievements I am most proud of, apart from my football accomplishments, is that I finished this semester with a grade point average above 3.0. I look forward to earning my degree from this amazing institution in the very near future. I am and always will be proud to be a Hoosier."
The early departure of Coleman will create a hole at the running back position for Indiana. However, help could be on the way. The Hoosiers are in the running for UAB transfer Jordan Howard who ran for 1,587 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Blazers in 2014. IU should also regain the services of redshirt freshman Tommy Mister, a 3-star running back coming out of high school, after missing the past season with a knee injury. Also returning is Devine Redding, a true freshman, who ran for 118 yards and played in 10 of the Hoosiers 12 games in 2014.