Coleman was the sixth Big Ten back that the Falcons have drafted:
—Michigan State’s DeAndra Cobb was drafted in the sixth round of the 2005 draft
—Michigan State’s T.J. Duckett was drafted in the first round of the 2002 draft.
—Northwestern’s Bob Christian was drafted in the 12th round of the 1991 draft.
—Illinois’s Keith Jones was drafted in the third round of the 1989 draft.
—Michigan’s Bill Taylor was drafted in the fifth round of the 1972 draft.
Falcons running back Tevin Coleman, who was selected in the third round of the draft out of Indiana, has heard about how big-time running backs from the Big 10 conference have struggled making the jump to the NFL.
“I feel that I will be OK,” said Coleman after his first rookie minicamp practice on Friday. “I have confidence in myself. I have confidence in running the ball. I’m going to work hard and try to be the best.”
Coleman, who was recruited by the Big 10 schools, West Virginia, Georgia Tech and Syracuse, rushed for 3,219 yards over his three-year career.
Only one player on the Big Ten’s all-time top 10 rushing list has been a Pro Bowler. One of the members never played a down in the NFL and the group has compiled only one 1,000-yard NFL season.
Michigan State’s Lorenzo White had the one 1,000-yard season and went to a Pro Bowl. Wisconsin’s Anthony Davis was drafted by the Colts in the seventh-round (243rd overall) of the 2005 draft and never played a down in the NFL. He did rush for 457 yards for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
Ohio State’s Eddie George, who did not finish his career on the conference’s top 10 all-time rushing list, had the best NFL career of the Big 10 running backs of the modern era.
He played nine seasons, rushed for 1,000 yards seven times and went to four Pro Bowls. He finished with 10,441 yards rushing.
Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell, who went to the Pro Bowl and was named a first-time All-Pro after last season, is a Big 10 back who’s off to a fine start with the Steelers. He’s rushed for 2,221 yards and 16 touchdowns in two seasons.
In addition to Coleman, Big Ten running backs Melvin Gordon III and Ameer Abdullah were drafted high this season. San Diego traded up to take Gordon 15th overall and Abdullah went to Detroit in the second-round (54th overall).
“That just says that we work hard, we’re good and we’re confident,” Coleman said of his fellow Big Ten alums. “We are just going out there working hard and doing our thing.”
Coleman will compete for a spot in the rotation and could land the starting spot. He got off to a good start.
“You really felt his speed,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “For a guy who set the edge and put his foot in the ground and cut in this system, when we are running our wide zone, that’s what we’re looking for.”
Last season, Coleman became the 18th player in FBS history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.
Quinn enjoyed his film study of Coleman.
“I thought he played with great toughness against Missouri,” Quinn said. “I think that was one when you say, ‘is he getting it again? Yep. Did he get yards again? Yep.’ Those are the kind of games when he continues to get it and you know he’s going to get it and still makes yards. Often times that’s a back (who’s running like) he’s got something to prove.”
The Falcons released first-string running back Steven Jackson and didn’t attempt to re-sign second-team back Jacquizz Rodgers, who landed with the Chicago. Coleman and second-year back Devonta Freeman will be expected to fill those positions.
Also, the Falcons are switching to the outside-zone running system under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
“I think I’m a great fit running inside-zone, outside-zone and we have a lot of stretch plays,” Coleman said. “It’s a big advantage for me and I just want to take advantage of that as much as possible.”
Coleman said he’s strong in pass protection, which is usually a problem for rookie backs.
“I did it at Indiana and I did it good,” Coleman said. “It’s not a problem for me. I can do that.”
Coleman has been working with new running backs coach Bobby Turner, who coached it the Big 10 at Ohio State (1989-90) and was offensive coordinator at Purdue (1991-94).
“Just getting more understanding, having more meeting time and trying to get the offense down,” Coleman said. “I just want to learn the offense better. That’s how I’m taking it right now.”
About the Author
