One legendary pass rusher thinks former Syracuse football DL Kendall Coleman ‘will be the steal of the 2020 NFL Draft’. Here are the details.
This week will be a homecoming for former Syracuse football pass rusher Kendall Coleman.
Coleman is one of four former Orange stars that have been invited to the NFL Combine. The annual ‘Underwear Olympics’ has been hosted in Indianapolis since 1987.
For those who don’t know Kendall was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and went to Cathedral High School.
On top of the nostalgic homecoming, it has an additional flavor, former Indianapolis Colts superstar pass rusher Robert Mathis has been training Kendall for the NFL Combine and for his professional future.
Kendall despite having a remarkable college career has mostly flown under the radar as it pertains to the 2020 NFL Draft.
"“I think this kid is going to be the steal of the draft,” Mathis said via the Indy Star."
There are a few reasons for that according to area scouts and media draft analysts.
Firstly Kendall Coleman, according to those experts, doesn’t have the God-given twitch that so many gifted pass rushers have in the NFL.
Secondly, KC has lived in the shadow of his teammate Alton Robinson. Despite having similar collegiate production, Alton has received far more praise. NFL Draft experts believe that Alton has twitch and they believe he has a far higher ceiling.
"“The last three years, Alton’s been my biggest competition,” Coleman said via the Indy Star. “I don’t think I’ve played against a defensive end or seen a defensive end on the other side of the field that makes me work as hard as Alton does, but that’s one of my best friends. … With his success, comes that challenge. I want to have that success, too.”"
Kendall Coleman has embraced this underdog role and will use it to drive him throughout this process leading into the 2020 NFL Draft.
Robert Mathis was working for the Colts and decided to run his own operation as an independent contractor. Now he can coach guys up all year long on his terms. This has really helped Kendall take his game to another level and prepare him for what’s to come in the NFL.
"“It’s easy to get in the league; it’s harder to stay in the league,” Mathis said via the Indy Star. “I’m teaching him how to stay in the league.”"