Arizona Wildcats running back Jonah Coleman is officially in the college football transfer portal. Following the news that Wildcats HC Jedd Fisch was taking the Washington Huskies job, several Arizona players are looking for new homes ahead of the 2024 season.
One of those names was Coleman, who is ascending in college football right now. After expanding his role with the Wildcats in 2023 as a rushing and receiving threat, there are teams across the nation who could utilize his skill set.
Jonah Coleman Landing Spots
After the departure of Fisch as the Wildcats head coach, there was an exodus of players from the program in Tucson. ESPN reported on January 18, 2024, that nine players had entered the transfer portal, including Arizona’s star running back.
The NCAA rules allow players a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal following a change in coaching staff.
Coleman had a breakout year in 2023, gaining 1,154 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns. He was able to display his versatile playstyle, exploding in both the running and passing attack, with 871 rushing yards, five rushing TDs, 283 receiving yards, and one receiving TD.
There are lots of college teams who would be able to use Coleman to better their offense, so which teams could be interested?
Washington Huskies
The Washington Huskies are the most logical and likely landing spot for Coleman, with his former head coach leaving to become their new head of the Huskies. The former Arizona back has put himself on the national radar under Fisch, and it makes sense for Coleman to continue that relationship.
With Washington RB Dillon Johnson declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, there is space for another back in that room, and Coleman could enter as the lead back for the Huskies offense.
Tennessee Volunteers
With RB Jaylen Wright declaring for the NFL Draft, there are questions that the Tennessee Volunteers will need to answer at running back heading into 2024.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
Dylan Sampson is expected to be the lead back for the Vols, with fans clamoring for him to get more carries. He tallied 604 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, but he isn’t the receiving weapon out of the backfield that Coleman is.
Tennessee recruited Coleman out of high school before he committed to Arizona. Could they look to rekindle some old flames?
Colorado Buffaloes
For all the attention the Colorado Buffaloes offense got in 2023, they didn’t have a running back who could take the bull by the horns.
Dylan Edwards had the most running yards (321) and one touchdown, and he was also a factor in the receiving game, having 299 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. The next RB for Colorado (not far behind Edwards) is Anthony Hankerson, who tallied 319 yards and one touchdown.
If Colorado is to achieve their aspirations in the Big 12 in 2024, then they are going to need to be a much more balanced team. That means running the ball more and adding a dynamic weapon like Coleman, who would instantly be the most productive running back in Boulder.
Michigan State Spartans
Another team that Coleman was recruited by out of high school was Oregon State under HC Jonathan Smith. Fast forward to now and Smith is the head coach in East Lansing and is looking to revive the Michigan State Spartans program.
The Spartans have a good back in Nathan Carter, who had 798 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground in 2023. No other player on the Michigan State roster had over 100 rushing yards.
Coleman would come in, complement Carter, and form a two-pronged attack as the Spartans look to improve in 2024 after a 4-8 season last year.
USC Trojans
The Caleb Williams era is over at USC, as HC Lincoln Riley looks to rejuvenate a program that was a serial underachiever in 2023. Coleman would be able to lead the USC rushing charge that has been decimated this offseason.
The Trojans will be without their two lead rushers in 2024, with Marshawn Lloyd and Austin Jones declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. A California native, Coleman could look to head to his home state and revitalize the Trojans’ running game.
Riley has already been active in the transfer portal and has brought RB Jo’quavious Marks from Mississippi State. Marks is a great addition and will certainly make an impact, but the Trojans must add even more electricity to their offense if they are to kick on in 2024.
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