Indiana's Tevin Coleman, who's on the brink of setting his school's single-season rushing record, is coming off a 307-yard performance and he's second in the nation in rushing.
So why isn't he receiving more acclaim? He's been overshadowed in his own league by Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon -- who is on pace to set the FBS single-season rushing record after a 408-yard performance and leads the nation in rushing.
But Coleman (6-foot-1, 210 pounds), a junior, is being noticed by NFL scouts. NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks wrote Monday that Coleman has "spectacular skills" and that he "continues to generate a ton of buzz in NFL circles." Brooks also said Coleman has "the stuff needed to be a feature back at the next level."
Coleman has rushed for 1,678 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has had nine 100-yard outings this season, and three times has exceeded 200 yards, including Saturday's 307-yard performance in a loss at Rutgers. His 12 TDs this season have covered an average of 39 yards.
His explosiveness stands out. Cfbstats.com shows that he has 14 carries of at least 30 yards (tied for second nationally), 11 of at least 40 (second), eight of at least 50 (tied for national lead) and seven of at least 60 (national leader).
Indiana has games remaining against Ohio State on Saturday and archrival Purdue on Nov. 29. Coleman is 127 yards away from tying IU's single-season rushing record and seems a lock to break the record of 1,805 set by Vaughn Dunbar in 1991; Dunbar was a first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in '92.
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer called Coleman's stats "ridiculous" during his weekly Monday news conference. "I met with our defensive staff ... and they think he's an outstanding, great back," Meyer said.
Minnesota's David Cobb ran for 145 yards and three touchdowns against the Buckeyes this past Saturday.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
