Former Syracuse football stud Kendall Coleman is soaring up draft boards after his performance in the Shrine Bowl. Here are all the details.
NFL teams are always searching for elite pass-rushing talent every offseason. Former Syracuse football stud Kendall Coleman is one name that hasn’t been on the top of many offseason lists, but after his performance in the Shrine Bowl, that should change.
Coleman was the only Syracuse football player that earned an invitation to the nation’s longest-running college football all-star game.
During an impressive week at practice, Coleman was a name that consistently was drawing buzz among scouts, NFL teams, and draft experts.
One of the most prominent NFL draft analysts on the planet, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network awarded Coleman his “defensive MVP” honors from his observations during practice leading into the East-West Shrine Bowl:
"“Kendall Coleman, DE, Syracuse: There were some guys who were more dominant over the course of a couple of days, but the guy who I thought was most consistent over the entire week was Coleman. He’s got an outstanding dip move that nobody in the one-on-one’s had an answer for the entire week. He dips and bends around the edge to get to the top of his rush and flatten to the quarterback. I can’t wait to see it in the game.”Daniel also noted at the beginning of his piece that, “while the game is important for players to showcase their skills, it’s the practices that are more important for NFL scouts, who get to see the prospects up close — on the hoof, in scouting parlance — and talk with them throughout the week.”"
Despite what Jeremiah said, Coleman performed in practice and when the game started.
Early in the first quarter Kendall burst off the line of scrimmage and showed incredible bend/balance coming around the edge to get a sack in the Shrine Bowl. You can watch that play here.
NFL Draft analyst Rob Paul listed KC as one of his big winners from the game on social media.
Many experts believe he has the versatility to contribute as a 3-4 outside linebacker or as a 4-3 end at the next level.
"For instance, during the Shrine Bowl, Dan Shonka NFL scout for Ourlads said Coleman “consistently beats tackles with his jab step/dip move and was unblockable at times during the 1-on-1 periods during Shrine Bowl practice. A versatile relentless athlete that was one of the ACC’s most consistent pass rushers.”"
This is exactly what these opportunities were created for. A player that showed promise in college, but not enough to warrant any draft day guarantees. Coleman earns a chance to show what he’s got and he takes full advantage of it when it matters the most.
Prior to East-West Shrine Bowl week, Coleman’s NFL draft stock appeared to have a ceiling between the fourth and fifth rounds with his floor being a priority undrafted free agent. After this performance in both the game and during the week of practice, the fourth and fifth rounds should be his floor.