Jonah Coleman Is A Physical Change-Of-Pace Back
April 23rd, 2026
Washington RB Jonah Coleman can fly over defenders, too.
Joe knows a bunch of Bucs fans weren’t overjoyed when Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht signed former Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell in free agency.
Not that they didn’t like Gainwell. But the biggest reaction Joe heard, understandably, was “What about Bucky Irving?”
It’s a fair question. But Joe believes if people think about it, the signing came with a lot of reason. NFL general managers don’t go out and buy free agents on the first day of legal tampering if they think that position is already solidified.
Then, the Bucs re-signed Sean Tucker. So the Bucs made two moves at running back. Again, teams don’t do that just because someone woke up and had an urge.
Joe is not lobbying for the Bucs to draft a running back. If they want to sign two or three undrafted free agents after the draft, fine. But given that Licht made the moves at running back for a reason, might the Bucs want to get a running back who doesn’t fit the same profile as Bucky, Gainwell and Tucker?
It sure would be fun to see bruising Washington running back Jonah Coleman running behind the Bucs’ offensive line.
Joe guesses few readers are football nuts like Joe, who loves watching #B1GAfterDark every week with those west coast games taking Joe into the wee hours of a Sunday morning past 2 a.m.
(Some 14 hours of college football on Saturdays in the fall is natural for Joe, and should be for all red-blooded Americans.)
Washington played in several of those games. Coleman is just an old school running back who not only absorbs punishment, but dishes it out.
Check out Coleman’s stats dug up by handicapper turned stathead Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis.
* 1st down or TD on 35% of runs, #1 in class.
* 71 percent of rushing yards came after contact, #1 in class.
* 12.4 yards after catch, #1 in class
* when hit at or behind the line of scrimmage, led his draft class in yards per carry and first down runs.
* Had 639 career touches with just one fumble.
Joe thought Coleman might go in the third round. If somehow he slipped to the fourth, Joe figures the Bucs would get excellent value.
However, that might be a pipe dream. When Joe spoke with draft analyst Emory Hunt of CBS at the combine, Joe brought up Coleman. He has Coleman rated better than Jadarian Price of Notre Dame, who most believe is either a late first- or early second-round pick.
“He’s my No. 2 running back in the class,” Hunt said. “So I like him. Because Coleman has that burst. He has that aggressiveness. He has that first-step quickness. And he attacks it like an old school guy used to attack a defense.”
And that is why Joe is intrigued by Coleman. He represents a change of pace for the Bucs. He’s a bruiser.
“When you have a guy like [Coleman] who runs angry like that … a stout back, [who] I think he has underrated explosiveness — that will give him those 20- to 40-yard bursts.
“He may not have the long speed, but if you are ripping 20- or 30-yard runs in a certain point of the game, you will win any week.”
No question about that. But you know, that’s what Bucky did as a rookie. He’d break off those 20+ yard runs and you’d look up and see the zebras’ arms in the air.
Then again, there’s a reason Licht made two moves for running backs.
“I am a big fan of Jonah,” Hunt, who also publishes the Football GamePlan 2026 Draft Prospect Guide, said of Coleman. “I love his game.”
Watching Coleman, it’s hard not to be a fan.
RB Jonah Coleman
1st down or TD on 35% of runs
#1 in class
71% of rushing yards came AFTER contact
#1 in class
12.4 yards after catch
#1 in class
when hit at or behind the LOS:
#1 YPC in class
#1 first down rate in class639 career touches -> just 1 fumble
123 career… pic.twitter.com/xThunZ3ajN
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 15, 2026
April 23rd, 2026 at 12:11 am
Draft him in the first round if he’s available, and I’m not joking.
April 23rd, 2026 at 12:19 am
The real question for me wasn’t “what about Bucky?” It was what about Tucker? He has been vying for more playing time after doing well in all his fill in opportunities (except for a few of those goal line touches).
That being said, nothing gets me more excited than an explosive, hard-nosed RB. I would be super pumped if they picked Coleman. He is a playmaker, enough said!
April 23rd, 2026 at 12:24 am
Those are some ridiculous stats. A complete player in all phases of the RB position. Get that dude!
April 23rd, 2026 at 12:37 am
This is the type of info that I love to read about… Thank you Joe!
April 23rd, 2026 at 12:49 am
You are welcome!
April 23rd, 2026 at 1:27 am
Can we get our $10-$14 MILLION BACK!? LoL. Seriously, tho!?
April 23rd, 2026 at 3:39 am
The Bucs have their 2026 1,2,3 combo under contract in Irving, Gainwell and Tucker but a player worth a UDFA contract is 6’2” 220 lb Curtis Allen from Virginia Union.
The Bucs have no need to waste a draft pick on a RB when there is a HBCU home run hitter to drop in as the run game “no risk it no biscuit” shot down the field for a 7th or less. Allen ran for 2,409 yds and 30 tds in 12 games in 2025. His highlights are a fun watch and I’m excited to see if he translates to the NFL.
April 23rd, 2026 at 3:58 am
24 of 25 of Coleman’s career TDs came inside the red zone. That skews his stats more than a bit. The Bucs short-yardage options are solid but a seam-hitting home run hitter who actually does what Coleman’s stats entice from any down and distance is worth a look.
Watch Curtis Allen for a few minutes before Saturday, please.
April 23rd, 2026 at 5:35 am
Reminds me of Tiki Barber
April 23rd, 2026 at 6:32 am
Definitely the type of back the Bucs need – someone who can always get you the first down or TD on 3rd/4th and short. None of our backs can do that if the blocking isn’t perfect.
Using anything higher than a 6th round pick is out of the question, though. Surely, there is a late round or UDFA bruiser that is being overlooked, maybe because he can’t pass block or catch. We have guys who can do that!
April 23rd, 2026 at 6:43 am
This guy has great vision. Will be a starter this season – somewhere. Great write-up, Joe.
April 23rd, 2026 at 6:46 am
Allen looks skinny and runs kinda uptight but man does it look like a struggle bringing him down! A fun watch.
April 23rd, 2026 at 6:53 am
Coleman looks really good too. Great tackle breaking ability and contact balance. Finds the hole extremely well. Reminds me of Ladanian.
April 23rd, 2026 at 7:22 am
This kid looks fantastic. The vision to see where the empty spaces are, then the lateral quicks and north-south acceleration to get to those spots and the strength to extend the play after contact. Damn shame we done have an extra pick we could use to get him. Would be an upgrade to our RB room. Oh well, more pressing positions in need of attention.
April 23rd, 2026 at 7:25 am
His stature and the way he pushes guys off and runs through their arms and the way he runs reminds me of Sanders. He is quick to hit the point of attack, no messing around just go, cut, go again.
April 23rd, 2026 at 8:33 am
Reminds me of Sanders a tad. Looks like a great prospect.
April 23rd, 2026 at 8:35 am
Reminds me of Sanders a tad, kinda has a mini jump-cut. Looks like a great prospect.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:51 am
I wonder which team he’ll have qn amazing career with. Because it’s never us. Cadillac was the last “substantially drafted” running back in our history. AND HE WAS PAYING OFF BIG! Until……
So… but for sure, it’s never us. We never pick “the accredited”
Signed J Licht…
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:14 am
Dare I say his running style reminds me of some of the things Mike Alstott would do? Would be nice to have a back that could simply run through defenders.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:35 am
Better grab him. Bucky is a bust!
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:59 am
Maybe this dude could get an inch at the goal line in four tries.
Naa, who are we kidding. Not a chance.
April 23rd, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Again all our interior offensive linemen were injured.
April 23rd, 2026 at 4:16 pm
LOVE THIS GUY! Great vision. Sudden and strong runner. Fantastic balance and feet. Dude just glides.
Damn, I would love JL to draft him but we need DEFENSE, DEFENSE, and more DEFENSE.