Jonah Coleman is a 5’9, 220-pound running back from Lincoln High School in Stockton, California, who played at the University of Arizona from 2022 to 2023 before transferring to the University of Washington for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He quickly became one of the top players on Washington’s offense and was a key part of their run game. In 2025, he earned All-American (All-Purpose) honors and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week twice. He was also known as a strong leader and an excellent student, earning a 3.93 GPA. Coleman played through a knee and ankle injury late in the 2025 season, missing one game against Purdue, but returned and continued to produce. His background, production, and leadership helped him stand out as one of the top running backs in the 2026 draft class.
Athletically, Coleman has a thick, strong build and a low center of gravity, which help him play with good balance and strength. He is a physical downhill runner who is difficult to bring down on first contact. His contact balance is one of his best athletic traits, allowing him to stay on his feet and gain extra yards. However, his speed and explosiveness are average. He does not have elite breakaway speed and is more quick than fast. His acceleration is solid but not special, and he wins more with strength and balance than pure athletic ability. Mentally, Coleman shows good awareness and understanding of the game. He displays good vision and patience, allowing his blocks to develop before making decisions. He processes the field well and finds open running lanes. His toughness stands out, as he consistently runs through contact and competes every play. He plays with strong effort and shows the competitive mindset needed for the position.
Coleman’s vision is a major strength of his game. He shows very good patience and timing, allowing blocks to develop and finding open lanes quickly. He is a decisive runner who makes quick decisions and does not hesitate when he sees an opening. He also shows creativity when plays break down, finding ways to gain positive yards. His power and contact balance are elite traits, as he consistently breaks tackles and falls forward for extra yards. He is very effective in short-yardage and goal-line situations because of his strength and physical running style. His elusiveness is also very good, as he shows quick feet, strong change of direction, and the ability to make defenders miss in space. While he is not the fastest runner, his quickness and agility help him create yards. In the passing game, Coleman shows good receiving ability. He has reliable hands, runs simple routes, and is productive after the catch. He can break tackles and gain extra yards with the ball in his hands. He is also a willing and capable pass blocker. His strong build and toughness help him hold up in pass protection, and he shows good effort picking up blitzers. Overall, Coleman is a physical, smart, and reliable running back who wins with vision, strength, and toughness.
Scheme Fit and Team Fit:
Coleman fits best in a zone-heavy run scheme where he can use his vision and one-cut ability to find running lanes. His power and contact balance also make him useful in short-yardage situations. Teams like the Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, and Los Angeles Chargers are good fits for his running style.
NFL Player Comp: David Montgomery
Coleman’s play style is similar to David Montgomery. Both have a thick build, strong contact balance, and are physical runners between the tackles. Coleman also shows good receiving ability and toughness, but lacks elite breakaway speed. He projects as a reliable, physical runner who gains yards through strength and effort.
Projection: Backup/Role Player
Coleman projects as a reliable rotational running back early in his NFL career. His vision, toughness, and receiving ability will allow him to contribute in both zone-run and passing situations. His lack of elite speed may limit his upside, but he has the tools to develop into a low-end starter with continued improvement.
Grade and Round Projection: 5.4 – Good | Round 3
Coleman earns a 5.4 grade based on his film, showing good overall ability with very good vision, power, and elusiveness. He projects as a Day 2 pick, most likely in Round 3, with the ability to contribute early in a rotation. His toughness and reliability give him upside to develop into a starter.
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