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Q&A With Antonio Coleman (02.02.10)

SCOUT'S TAKE

Pros: His best asset is his ability to rush the passer, but he is an all-around athlete that can drop in coverage and produce against the run. Expect his production this season to go up from there. Coleman is a talented player who projects to be a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level.

Cons: There was some talk about Coleman coming out early, but he wisely ended up staying for his senior season. His overall game needs improvement and another year will allow him to grow as a player and develop physically in preperation for the next level.

Quote of Note: "The number I'll be looking at is wins. Nobody wants to go through what we did last season,"

-- Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman on how many sacks he'll get in 2009.

Skinny: Coleman is very feisty at the defensive end position. He will keep going hard until the whistle is blown on every play and has a unique combination of athleticism and power. In 2008 he recorded 46 tackles, 10.5 for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection. In 2007 his numbers were just as good: 38 tackles, 18.5 for loss, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three pass deflections. He led the Tigers in tackles for loss and sacks the past two seasons, so look for him to try and not only lead his team in those categories, but the nation as well in 2009.

Stock: If he can put it all together this season, he could be a first-round pick in next year’s draft as more teams make the switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Outside linebackers are premier players in that defense.

NEWS

12.26.09 - The senior, who passed up a chance to leave early for the NFL, switched to a less restrictive cast against LSU and shed it altogether in the final two games. Coleman had 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in the remaining five games to wind up leading the Southeastern Conference in both categories for the Tigers, who will play Northwestern in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day. He helped spark one of Auburn's biggest wins, over Mississippi, with four stops behind the line, two sacks, a blocked extra-point attempt and a forced fumble. He wound up earning first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors for the second straight season. Coleman will play in the Senior Bowl in January to audition for NFL scouts. He supplied a big boost to the defense by deciding not to follow fellow Auburn juniors Jerraud Powers and Sen'Derrick Marks into the NFL last season. – GatorSports.com

12.21.09 - Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman and running back Ben Tate have accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl, the annual showcase of top senior players for NFL teams in Mobile, the Press-Register has learned. 12Coleman, a Mobile native and former Williamson standout, was named an All-SEC defensive end after leading the league with nine sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss this year. He will finish his Auburn career third on the all-time sacks list with 23.5.

12.20.09 - Five games into the season, he had helped make Auburn relevant again, as the Tigers posted a 5-0 record. At the same time, a partially torn ligament in his right wrist provided a significant setback in establishing a bigger profile as an NFL prospect. Trying to play with a cast on his hand, Coleman went consecutive games without making a tackle. It was not the kind of start to the season Coleman wanted in trying to catch NFL scouts’ attention. “I led the SEC in sacks and TFLs,” Coleman said. “That’s pretty big after playing with a cast for seven weeks. If I hadn’t had that cast, it probably wouldn’t have been a foot race for who had the most sacks.” – Decatur Daily

01.03.09 - Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman said Saturday he's coming back for his senior season instead of going to the NFL. That's a recruiting coup for new coach Gene Chizik, who saw defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks say earlier this week he's decided to turn pro.

01.01.09 - After a redshirt season in 2005, Coleman saw playing time in 2006 registering five tackles for loss and three sacks. Last season Coleman opened eye with 18.5 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hurries and 8.5 sacks. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown. This season, Coleman hasn't slowed down much notching 46 tackles with 10.5 for loss, 13 quarterback hurries and six sacks. The First Team All-SEC standout hasn't addressed the issue of leaving early but he projects as DE/LB at the pro level.

VITALS

Medical Examiner: Coleman missed one game in 2008 due to a sore acromioclavicular joint.

Honor Roll: In 2008 Coleman was named first-team All-SEC by the coaches and Associated Press. He was named second-team All-SEC by Rivals.com in 2007.

High School: Coleman played at Williamson High School in Alabama. As a senior he amassed 147 tackles and 23 sacks. He received All-State honors, 5A Lineman of the Year, and was a member of the SuperPrep All-Dixie team.

Personal: Coleman graduated in December 2008 with a degree in criminology and is currently pursuing a second degree in health promotions.

Bio