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Football
Coleman Looking to Turn Heads at Combine
By Brandon Castel

When Kurt Coleman strolls the halls at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center people stop and take notice.

OSU safety Kurt Coleman
survey's the offense against Penn State.
Photo by Jim Davidson

As Ohio State’s team MVP and a first-team all-Big Ten performer in 2009, Coleman was the heart and soul of one the best defenses in all of college football. While he may not be large in stature, his personality and competitive nature loomed large over the Buckeyes Rose Bowl-winning season.

And yet as he heads to Indianapolis this week as one of four Buckeyes invited to the 2010 NFL Combine, Coleman goes as just another face in the crowd; another player competing for a job.

“I think I can go to the next level and play right away and make a big contribution to the team,” the Clayton Northmont product said.

“I think teams will understand that when they see me out there for the combine. They’ll see the competitiveness and nature with which I go about my business.”

At 5-foot-11 and less than 200 pounds, Coleman certainly won’t turn many heads at Lucas Oil Stadium with his size. Not with someone like Terrence Cody (6-5, 370) walking around, but the OSU safety is hoping to leave an impression with his workouts.

“I’m not going to be able to grow, that’s for sure,” Coleman said with a smile.

“I hope I’ve proved that I can cover, and going to the NFL combine and just showing them my true speed in the 40. I think that will really signify that I can play corner and safety.”

A three-year starter at safety in Columbus, Coleman originally came to the Buckeyes as a 180-pound cornerback in 2006. He played two years at strong safety but spent some time at free safety in 2009 to accommodate Jermale Hines on the back end of Ohio State’s defense.

“I don’t think a lot of safeties out there are able to cover coming down on the slot or fill in run responsibilities, and I feel like I’m a combination of both,” said Coleman, who finished third on the team with 68 tackles this past year to go with a team-leading five interceptions.

“That’s what teams like to see, that versatility.”

Coleman recently showed off his versatility at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., where he was asked not only to play safety but also some corner for North squad, which beat the South 21-13 back on Jan. 30.

“I was playing a little bit of corner out there one-on-one, and it was a little new for me. It’s been three years since I’ve been out on the outside, so I’ve just got to continue work on that here and I should be ready by the time workouts come,” he said.

More than likely, Coleman will end up staying at safety at the next level, but the fact Jim Schwartz and the rest of the Detroit Lions coaching staff opted to give him some work at corner gave Coleman an extra boost of confidence that he will be able to find his niche at the next level.

“I feel like it’s just going to help me further my career and put me in a better spotlight hopefully to get drafter higher,” Coleman said.

“The Senior Bowl, which is only the top 100 seniors, helped me out tremendously. This is just the top of the top now, so it’s time for you to really just step out and do your best.”

According to Coleman, that experience has helped alleviate a lot of the nervousness that typically comes with performing in front of all 32 NFL teams at the combine. He plans to measure himself against guys like Eric Berry and Taylor Mays because they are considered to be the best in show, but ultimate there’s only one person he is challenging in Indianapolis.

“Really I’m just competing against myself. If I go out there and do my best, it’s going to show,” Coleman said with confidence.

“I know who I stack up against. It’s going to be fun for me. I know how to interview well and I know I’m going to show them what I can do.”

One area where Coleman would like to turn heads when he takes the field for drills next Tuesday is his speed. The 195-pound defensive back has been working hard with OSU strength and conditioning coach Eric Lichter to drop his 40 time, and believes he could raise some eyebrows with the scouts.

“Anything under 4.5 is acceptable. I think I can run a low 4.4, maybe a 4.38,” he said optimistically.

Along with his speed and versatility, Coleman believes he can offer leadership to whatever team takes in April’s draft.

“They told me (at the Senior Bowl) just to be myself and really show your leadership skills,” said Coleman, who served as a defensive captain for the Buckeyes in 2009.

“They want to see people who can play on the practice field and bring a lot to the locker room as well.”

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