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SCOUT'S TAKE

Skinny: Coleman thought about entering the NFL draft before returning to Ohio State, which was a good move for him. Last season he had 78 total tackles, and has 11 total tackles in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas, and finished the season with four interceptions. Coleman has decent size at 5-11 190 pounds and good overall speed. In addition, he has good range in pass coverage and seems to be able to read and react well, in both the run and the passing game. Coleman needs to come on a have a big senior season and show scouts that he can be a big time play maker at the next level.

NEWS

02.04.10 - The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Kurt Coleman is considered undersized by NFL standards, but that didn’t stop teams from taking notice. Coleman interviewed with nearly all 32 teams in attendance. The Cleveland Browns seem to have taken a liking to the safety meeting with Coleman twice. What Coleman may lack in size he makes up for with playmaking ability. Coleman is a very instinctive player with the ability to change a game due to his big-play ability. He’s aggressive, confident, smart, a sure-tackler and extremely versatile. Coleman can play either safety position as well as cornerback. However, free safety may be his natural position. Coleman will need to improve on his one-on-one cover skills entering the pros. – Dayton Daily News

VITALS

04.08.09 - Kurt Coleman (Ohio State), has been named to the 2009 Lott Trophy Watch List, announced on Tuesday by Ronnie Lott in Newport Beach, Calif. Coleman is a 5-11, 188-pound senior from Clayton, Ohio. He had 78 tackles and four interceptions last season as a junior and led the Buckeyes with 11 tackles in the Fiesta Bowl.

01.14.09 - Ohio State junior defensive back Kurt Coleman, an All-Big Ten Conference pick this past season, announced Wednesday that he will return for his senior year. Coleman recorded 78 tackles and four interceptions during his junior campaign. He is scheduled to graduate in December with a bachelor's degree in sport and leisure studies. "My decision to come back is a lot about helping this team," he said. "I feel we can do anything next year. We have a lot of great leaders coming back and an excellent group of underclass talent. "For me personally, my family and I felt this was the best decision for me, to make my career at Ohio State even better than it has already been. I have a lot to prove to myself and a lot of things I want to accomplish. With one more year here, I can attain all those goals." Ohio State, which lost to Texas, 24-21, in the Fiesta Bowl, is coming off a 10-3 season in which the Buckeyes won a share of their fourth straight Big Ten title.

01.03.09 - After submitting his NFL paperwork, Coleman was told he likely would be selected on the second day if he chose to enter the draft. Maybe in the fourth round, he has heard. It is enticing. "It was good news. It definitely helped me narrow down my decision," said Coleman, a two-year starter at strong safety who has a team-high four interceptions and is third on the team with 67 tackles. "It is always good to hear that you are liked, and that they see you as someone they can use in the league (NFL)," Coleman said. "At the combine, you can always increase your size, but you can never replace your fourth year in college." Coleman comes from a family of nine. "There are a lot of mouths to feed, but ultimately it just comes down to what feels right," he said. "I am still iffy-iffy. I would love to stay another year and play for Ohio State, but I have to do what's best for my family. I think ending this season up correctly with a big bang would be a big determining factor."

Skinny: third-year starter at strong safety … hard hitter and sure tackler … goes all-out all the time … a leader of the Ohio State defense … one of the fiercest competitors in the OSU weight room … 2009 Lott Trophy watch list … NationalChamps.com preseason All-America

2008 (Junior): second team all-Big Ten at strong safety … ranked 40th in NCAA in interceptions (4) … third on team with 78 tackles … missed the first two games with an ankle injury … six tackles at USC … pair of interceptions (first of his career) were key plays against Troy … TFL and two stops against Minnesota … eight tackles and a near interception at Wisconsin … three solo tackles in Purdue win … interception and forced a Michigan State fumble … PBU, seven tackles against Penn State … sack and seven tackles at Northwestern … 18-yard interception and a team-best 11 tackles at Illinois … 10 tackles, TFL against Michigan … 11 tackles in the Fiesta Bowl … defensive champion: Troy, Penn State, Illinois, Michigan … special teams dog tags: Troy, Illinois … Arnie Chonko and SAE awards from OSU coaches

2007 (Sophomore): starting strong safety … significant on special teams … 64 tackles, 4 PBU, 3.5 TFL … sack and five tackles against Michigan State … five tackles and forced a fumble at Penn State … seven tackles against Illinois … 10 tackles in the BCS championship game … defensive player of week: Illinois … SAE award for outstanding player in Homecoming game

2006 (Freshman): blocked a 50-yard Bowling Green FG attempt on the Falcons’ first possession … saw action in 12 games … five tackles in the win at Michigan State, including half a stop behind the line of scrimmage when he joined teammate Lawrence Wilson … played in all but one game, mainly on special teams … enrolled at Ohio State for spring quarter 2006 to participate in spring drills

High School: collected 19 solo tackles and 73 assists as a senior to go along with seven pass break-ups and three interceptions … caught 22 passes for 248 yards and one touchdown … returned 15 punts for 261 yards (2 TD) and 11 kickoffs for 266 yards (1 TD) … two-time first team all-Ohio … all-Midwest Team … 17 pass break-ups and 10 interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns, as a junior and added 38 solo stops and 53 assists … caught 16 passes for 315 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior.

Bio

Photo Credit: OhioStateBuckeyes.com