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LSU's Harry Coleman has diversity in his corner for NFL Draft
By Glenn Guilbeau • [email protected] • April 21, 2010
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20100421/SPORTS0202/4210344/1026/SPORTS02
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Del.icio.usFacebookDiggRedditNewsvineBuzz up!TwitterBATON ROUGE — College is about building a resume — whether that is in petroleum engineering or football.
LSU's Harry Coleman is not one of the best outside linebackers up for the NFL Draft this weekend, nor is he one of the best safeties. But the fact that he has played both greatly enhances his chances of getting picked in the middle-to-late rounds on Saturday and sticking around.
"A lot of teams have talked to me," Coleman said Tuesday at LSU. "They like the fact that I can play outside linebacker or safety."
The Oakland Raiders worked out Coleman privately last month at LSU. Among the teams that have called him are Carolina, Atlanta, New England, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and the New York Jets.
"The Raiders linebacker coach (Mike Haluchak) and their defensive backs coach (Lionel Washington) were at my workout, so I don't really know which position they're thinking of me at," Coleman said. "I don't care. I can play either. Most of the teams I talked to talked to me about both positions."
Coleman has put on 10 pounds since last season at LSU and is up to 216, which is still light for an outside linebacker.
"I think most of the teams are probably looking at me as a safety, but they like the fact that I played linebacker and can hit," he said.
Coleman just made the switch to outside linebacker at the end of spring drills in 2009, and the move had immediate results. He was named LSU's most valuable player by teammates last season after finishing third in total tackles with 82 and second in tackles for losses with nine and in sacks with four. He also forced three fumbles, which is No. 2 for a season in LSU history.
"I liked the position change because I like to hit," Coleman said. "But I know I can still play safety. It doesn't matter to me where I play."
Coleman played linebacker at West St. Mary High in Baldwin but was recruited to LSU to play safety. Over the next two years, few heard much about Coleman as he served as a backup who occasionally excelled on special teams. Until Jan. 7, 2007, that is. It was national championship night in the Superdome, and starting strong safety Craig Steltz was injured early in the game. Coleman replaced him and made two huge plays as he recovered a fumble and returned it 14 yards and pressured the quarterback into an interception.
Coleman went on to start 13 games at strong safety in 2009 and led the team with 71 tackles. He did struggle against the pass, but NFL expert Mike Detillier says Coleman could be a solid nickel back in the NFL or play weak side linebacker in passing situations.
"Hybrid players like Harry have a chance in the NFL," Detillier said. "He's a hard-hitting player with a lot of speed."
Coleman ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at LSU's Pro Day.
"He's a good character guy, too," Detiller said. "What will help him make a club is the way he plays special teams. He can get down the field and hit you. And he's certainly got big-game experience. I see him getting drafted by someone because he's too versatile to let get away."
By Glenn Guilbeau • [email protected] • April 21, 2010
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20100421/SPORTS0202/4210344/1026/SPORTS02
Post a Comment Recommend(1)Print this pageE-mail this articleShare
Del.icio.usFacebookDiggRedditNewsvineBuzz up!TwitterBATON ROUGE — College is about building a resume — whether that is in petroleum engineering or football.
LSU's Harry Coleman is not one of the best outside linebackers up for the NFL Draft this weekend, nor is he one of the best safeties. But the fact that he has played both greatly enhances his chances of getting picked in the middle-to-late rounds on Saturday and sticking around.
"A lot of teams have talked to me," Coleman said Tuesday at LSU. "They like the fact that I can play outside linebacker or safety."
The Oakland Raiders worked out Coleman privately last month at LSU. Among the teams that have called him are Carolina, Atlanta, New England, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and the New York Jets.
"The Raiders linebacker coach (Mike Haluchak) and their defensive backs coach (Lionel Washington) were at my workout, so I don't really know which position they're thinking of me at," Coleman said. "I don't care. I can play either. Most of the teams I talked to talked to me about both positions."
Coleman has put on 10 pounds since last season at LSU and is up to 216, which is still light for an outside linebacker.
"I think most of the teams are probably looking at me as a safety, but they like the fact that I played linebacker and can hit," he said.
Coleman just made the switch to outside linebacker at the end of spring drills in 2009, and the move had immediate results. He was named LSU's most valuable player by teammates last season after finishing third in total tackles with 82 and second in tackles for losses with nine and in sacks with four. He also forced three fumbles, which is No. 2 for a season in LSU history.
"I liked the position change because I like to hit," Coleman said. "But I know I can still play safety. It doesn't matter to me where I play."
Coleman played linebacker at West St. Mary High in Baldwin but was recruited to LSU to play safety. Over the next two years, few heard much about Coleman as he served as a backup who occasionally excelled on special teams. Until Jan. 7, 2007, that is. It was national championship night in the Superdome, and starting strong safety Craig Steltz was injured early in the game. Coleman replaced him and made two huge plays as he recovered a fumble and returned it 14 yards and pressured the quarterback into an interception.
Coleman went on to start 13 games at strong safety in 2009 and led the team with 71 tackles. He did struggle against the pass, but NFL expert Mike Detillier says Coleman could be a solid nickel back in the NFL or play weak side linebacker in passing situations.
"Hybrid players like Harry have a chance in the NFL," Detillier said. "He's a hard-hitting player with a lot of speed."
Coleman ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at LSU's Pro Day.
"He's a good character guy, too," Detiller said. "What will help him make a club is the way he plays special teams. He can get down the field and hit you. And he's certainly got big-game experience. I see him getting drafted by someone because he's too versatile to let get away."
DAL @ GB
