Tevin Coleman

Tevin Coleman was born on April 16, 1993, in Oak Forest, Illinois, and grew up showcasing exceptional athletic ability across multiple sports. He attended Oak Forest High School where he starred as a running back, demonstrating the speed and elusiveness that would define his professional career. His high school performances earned him scholarship offers from major college programs.

Coleman chose to attend Indiana University, where he became one of the most prolific running backs in program history. During his junior season in 2014, he rushed for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the nation in rushing yards and earning consensus All-American honors. His explosive 7.5 yards per carry average showcased his big-play ability and threat to score from anywhere on the field.

The Atlanta Falcons selected Coleman in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft with the 73rd overall pick. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, rushing for 392 yards and demonstrating his versatility as a receiver out of the backfield. His speed and ability to hit the hole quickly made him an effective complement to the Falcons' offensive scheme.

Coleman's best NFL season came in 2016 when he helped the Atlanta Falcons reach Super Bowl LI. He rushed for 731 yards and 11 touchdowns during the regular season while adding 421 receiving yards. His dual-threat capability created matchup problems for defenses, and his chemistry with quarterback Matt Ryan was evident in the play-action passing game. Though the Falcons fell short in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, Coleman's contributions throughout the season were instrumental to the team's success.

Over four seasons with Atlanta, Coleman established himself as a reliable component of a dynamic backfield rotation. He excelled in the Falcons' zone-blocking scheme, using his vision and acceleration to find running lanes. His career game came in Week 3 of 2016 against the New Orleans Saints, when he rushed for 110 yards and scored three touchdowns.

In 2019, Coleman signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent, reuniting with head coach Kyle Shanahan who had been the Falcons' offensive coordinator during Coleman's early career. He contributed to the 49ers' run to Super Bowl LIV, rushing for 544 yards during the regular season and adding important playoff performances. His knowledge of Shanahan's outside zone running scheme made him a natural fit in San Francisco's offensive system.

Coleman's playing style is characterized by exceptional straight-line speed, making him particularly dangerous on outside runs and screen passes. He possesses the acceleration to reach the edge quickly and the speed to outrun defensive backs in the open field. While not a power runner, his ability to make defenders miss in space and turn short gains into explosive plays has been a consistent feature of his game.

Throughout his NFL career, Coleman has been valued for his professionalism and team-first attitude. He has embraced various roles including featured back, committee member, and veteran mentor. Off the field, he has participated in community outreach programs and youth football camps.