Penn State has been churning out quality running backs since the 1950s, and the program is hoping Jabree Coleman will be next in line.
Coleman, a true freshman from the Philly area, enters a room that many feel is America’s best.
Leading the charge for the fourth season in a row are Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who each have a realistic chance to break the school’s all-time rushing record.
Even behind those two, Penn State is better off than most. Sophomores Corey Smith and Quinton Martin, along with junior Cam Wallace, provide plenty of depth.
So Coleman might have to wait a while to get significant playing time. But he has the tools to be great.
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 209 pounds
Hometown: Darby Township, PA
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Before Penn State: Coleman was a two-time captain at Philly’s famous Imhotep Charter. As a junior, the team went 15-0 and won the state championship, with Coleman playing a big part. He ended that season with 1,610 yards and 28 touchdowns. Coleman was also a factor in the passing game, ending the year with eight catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns.
Coleman had been committed to Georgia but de-committed days after winning the state title.
He committed to Penn State last June and went onto have a quality senior season, rushing for 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Where he stands: As mentioned above, Coleman has a lot of players that, barring something unforeseen, will be ahead of him on the depth chart. But he’ll still have his chances to impress James Franklin and the coaching staff on the practice field and in the film room.
A quote about Coleman: “I think he’s an every-down back. He blocks well and set the tone for us in that state championship game, at least offensively, with a great block on the first play of the game to lead through for our quarterback at the time, Mikal Davis. He also catches the ball well out of the backfield. I think he also has great vision and is patient.
“I also believe that, later on in the year, as it gets colder, he becomes even more important because he runs well between the tackles. He keeps a low pad level and it allows us to control the game. You saw that in the same championship game. I believe he carried the ball 28 times. That was big for us.” — Imhotep RB coach Michael Gandy to Blue-White Illustrated
