Hoosiers at The Next Level: Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Written By Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)

Tevin Coleman | Atlanta Falcons | RB

Former Indiana running back Tevin Coleman cemented his legendary Hoosier status after a historic junior campaign. Indiana signed Coleman out of Oak Forest High School just outside of Chicago. He was a consensus three-star recruit and the 39th best running back of the 2012 class per 247 Sports. Coleman was a first team all-state selection his senior year of high school where he ran for 949 yards, scored 13 touchdowns, played cornerback, and returned kicks. Coleman was also a decorated track star, placing second in Illinois’ high school track and field state championships. He placed fourth in the hundred-meter dash wish a time of 10.86. His breakaway speed and elite athleticism would eventually propel Tevin Coleman into the college football record books.

Once he got down to Bloomington, Coleman contributed as a true freshman, rushing for 225 yards service as a backup to Stephen Houston. Where Coleman really flashed his potential was on kickoffs. Coleman had 566 return yards including a 96-yard touchdown against Northwestern. Coleman bobbled the ball, picked it back up, broke several tackles and raced toward the end zone. The Hoosiers started to realize they had something special. Coleman finished his freshman year with an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten Freshman team.

As many expected, Coleman had a breakout season as a sophomore. He collected 958 rushing yards on just 131 carries with 12 touchdowns. The always electric Coleman averaged an amazing 7.3 yards per carry. He was a perpetual thread out of the backfield, catching 19 passes for almost 200 total yards. Coleman’s ability to break off a massive run became what he was known for. Six of his 12 rushing touchdowns were beyond spectacular. Coleman reeled off touchdown scampers of 75, 64, 64, 55, 44, 43 yards. Coleman was poised to have another breakout season as an upperclassman. He finished his sophomore campaign by being named as an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team by coaches and media members.

Fans expected to see Coleman succeed as a junior, but no one predicted he would shatter the record books and finish seventh in Heisman voting. In 2014 Tevin Coleman became just the 18th player in FBS history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. Coleman’s 2,036 ranks 15th all-time. He became just the third Big Ten player to accomplish the feat. Coleman added 15 rushing touchdowns and averaged nearly 170 rushing yards per game. As a junior, Tevin Coleman averaged more rushing yards per game by himself than 70-of-125 FBS teams. The man was unstoppable. He was one of three Doak Walker Award finalists, finishing second in the country in rushing yards behind Melvin Gordon. Coleman holds numerous school records including rushing for over 100 yards in ten consecutive games. A book could be written about Tevin Coleman’s junior season despite Indiana’s 4-8 record. Every time he touched the ball you had to hold your breath. Coleman could seemingly put it in the end zone from anywhere, anytime. Coleman’s average touchdown distance was 40 yards. Incredible.

From the 96-yard kick return for a touchdown he had as a freshman to the 90-yard touchdown run against Ohio State as a junior, Coleman turned Indiana into must-watch TV. He finished his Indiana career as the third unanimous and consensus All-American, joining Anthony Thompson and Vaughn Dunbar. Coleman elected to forgo his senior season at IU and pursue the NFL draft. In a draft class loaded with running backs, Coleman was the fifth runner selected. The Atlanta Falcons chose Coleman in the third-round with the 73rd overall pick. Atlanta appeared to be an ideal landing spot for the former Hoosier because they are loaded with weapons in Julio Jones, Matt Ryan, and Devonta Freeman.

Coleman got thrown into the fire. Falcons’ starting running back Devonta Freeman was ruled out for the opening game of season against the Philadelphia Eagles. On Monday Night Football, Coleman proved once again that he is much-watch TV. The former Hoosier recorded 80 yards on 20 carries in his NFL debut, pacing Atlanta to a 26-24 victory. Coleman saw a more limited role going forward as Freeman regained health. Still, he made his presence felt, scoring his first career touchdown in Week 2. He recorded his first 100-yard game in November of 2015 when he rattled off 110 yards on just 18 carries against a vaunted Viking defense. Coleman finished his rookie campaign with 392 rushing yards in 12 games. He averaged an impressive 4.51 yards per carry.

With Devonta Freeman remaining Atlanta’s feature running back, Coleman developed himself into an even bigger threat in the passing game. During the first game of Coleman’s second season in the NFL, he caught five passes for 95 yards. He cemented himself as a true dual-threat running back, accumulating 520 rushing yards and 421 receiving yards in 2016. Coleman ran for eight touchdowns and caught three more. He averaged 4.41 yard per rush and 13.58 yards per reception. As he adjusted to the NFL, Tevin Coleman has shown that his explosiveness translates to the next level. Coleman was part of Atlanta’s exciting run to the Super Bowl as well as their epic collapse against New England. Coleman recorded 115 yards rushing and one touchdown in three playoff games. Coleman and Freeman proved themselves to be perhaps the most formidable running back duo in the NFL.

Coleman’s third year in the NFL again saw steady improvement. He ran for 628 yards and caught 27 passes for 299 yards. He scored eight total touchdowns. Hoosier fans may be wondering what kind of numbers Coleman could produce if he were the feature back like Jordan Howard with the Chicago Bears. The Chicago-native had a chance to face off against Howard and the Bears back in his hometown. Howard ran for 50 yards and a touchdown, but Coleman snagged four receptions and his team got the win. Although the two prolific running backs never shared the field in Bloomington, they’ve developed a bond in the pros. "We talk a lot," Coleman told ESPN. "I was just with him over the offseason. We were chopping it up and chilling. I'm going to need that jersey up off of him, that J. Howard." Game recognizes game. Two Hoosiers with extremely bright futures in the NFL. Howard and Coleman are primed to rack up a ton of yards and touchdowns over the next several years.

Coleman’s future is beaming, although it is currently uncertain. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Falcons’ could trade him, re-sign him to a contract extension this summer, or allow him to become a free agent next offseason. Coleman is a key cog in one of the best offenses in the NFL. He’s vital to Atlanta’s dynamic offensive attack. Which means he will come at a price. A player of Coleman’s caliber has a ton of value in the pros. His dynamic ability to run and catch passes would make any offense better. Atlanta signed fellow running back Devonta Freeman to a five-year, $41.25 million contract. The Falcons want to offer Coleman an extension, but he may be able to make a lot more money on the open market. Falcons’ general manager Thomas Dimitroff said of his running back tandem, “They're going to be a big part of what our offense is going forward,” he told atlantafalcons.com.

Over the last three seasons combined, Coleman and Freeman have combined for 4,362 yards and 55 touchdowns. Coleman is likely itching for a more prominent role as a feature back. There’s another reason Coleman might want to gamble on himself test out the waters as a free agent. "I can't get no good Chicago deep dish pizza out here," Coleman said with laugh during his interview with ESPN. "I haven't found a spot yet here [in Atlanta]. I need that deep dish pizza." Whether it’s with the Falcons or elsewhere, Tevin Coleman is out to prove himself more than ever in a contract year. He will be among the most exciting Hoosiers in the pros to watch, and he can change the dynamic of an NFL offense the same way he transformed IU. Keep an eye on Coleman, Hoosier fans. You won’t want to miss it.

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