Kevin Coleman has makings of superstar for Jeff Lebby's Bulldogs
He had been waiting a long time to let loose, but Kevin Coleman got to do just that last Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.
Fans across football have watched Coleman make his impact at Jackson State and Louisville his first two seasons and he’s brought that talent to the SEC this season with Mississippi State. A threat to score any time the ball is in his hands, Coleman showed just how dangerous he could be against Eastern Kentucky.
Coleman nearly joined Jordan Mosley at the century mark in receiving yards with his five catches for 88 yards and he caught his first Bulldog touchdown on a 23-yarder during the game. His teammates got a chance to see how the fans reacted to what they’ve already seen since January.
“Kevin is a beast. We talk all the time about how we run routes and we work together every single day catching balls so that’s one of my guys,” Mosley said. “I lean on Kevin, and he leans on me. He’s a phenomenal player that’s going to do a lot of great things this year. I’m just happy to watch it.”
Building bonds with teammates like Mosley was one of Coleman’s priorities from the first day he arrived on campus. State has plenty of new faces on the offensive side of the ball since Jeff Lebby came to Starkville and it’s most prevalent at wide receiver and at quarterback.
Blake Shapen and Coleman have built their own personal bond by spending time with each other running routes and throwing, but they also have go beyond the football. Both players have become incredible friends in a short amount of time and it’s done nothing but help their chemistry on the field.
“Since I got here in January, me and Shape have been friends. I knew that was a connection I was going to have to build, and I wanted to build that connection on and off the field. Just a couple of days ago I was over at his house and we just chill. We don’t talk about football we talk about life.”
Coleman a difference maker with the ball in his hands
There were plenty of big plays between the QB and his receiver in Saturday’s 52-7 win over the Colonels, but Coleman drew the biggest praise in special teams.
Coleman made a few plays in special teams his first two years of college at Jackson State and Louisville, but his impact in Starkville looks like it will be far greater. EKU put a few punts on a tee for the talented playmaker and he made them pay with five returns for 117 yards. It quickly showed that the Bulldogs have a dynamic player on their hands.
“Practice and having a great coach,” Coleman said of how he’s become a great special teamer. “Coach (Anthony Tucker), all praise to him. Technique and everything he told me about working my eyes, looking the catch in and just letting things come one play at a time. He told me that I’m a great players but just let things come to me.”
Work in special teams might be a requirement for Coleman and the Bulldogs to get out of the desert alive this weekend.
State has to travel to Arizona State (1-0) Saturday evening for a late-night kick back in Mississippi (9:30 p.m., ESPN). A big night similar to game one is what Coleman is hoping to provide, but he expects a tough matchup.
“They’re a great team, a hungry team. Last year, they didn’t do so good but this year they’ve got something to prove just like us,” Coleman said. “I know one of their safeties and he’s an experienced guy that has bounced around from school to school so he’s got something to prove. I know that he’s going to come in hungry and be ready to play. I’m locked in and ready for the battle.”
