Kevin Coleman

NFL Draft Profile: Kevin Coleman Jr.

Position: Wide Receiver | School: Missouri (via Mississippi State/Louisville/Jackson State) | Class: Senior

Height: 5'11" | Weight: 180 lbs | Archetype: Slot / Route Runner / Deep Threat

College Career Summary

Kevin Coleman Jr. arrives at the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the most experienced and well-traveled prospects in college football history. A former consensus top-100 recruit, Coleman began his career as the SWAC Freshman of the Year under Deion Sanders at Jackson State, before productive stints at Louisville and Mississippi State.

In his 2025 season at Missouri, Coleman returned to his home state and emerged as the "heartbeat" of the Tigers' passing game. Despite being the primary focus of SEC secondaries, he led Missouri in every major receiving category. He proved to be a high-volume chain-mover and one of the nation’s most dangerous punt returners, culminating in a 2025 All-SEC Third Team selection. Known for his elite "quicks" and sure hands, Coleman is a technical master of the slot position.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Receptions: 63 | Receiving Yards: 715 | TDs: 1 (Rec), 1 (Punt Return)

• Rushing: 8 carries, 71 yards | All-Purpose: 975 yards

• Drops: 2 (Among the nation's best in catch percentage at 78.8%).

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs C. Arkansas	6 / 48 / 0	B	Efficient debut; 44-yard punt return showcased his dual-threat value.
2	vs Kansas	10 / 126 / 1	A+	The Apex. Dominant "Border War" performance; unguardable in the slot.
3	vs Louisiana	8 / 84 / 0	A-	Target monster; high-IQ route running to find soft spots in zone.
4	vs South Carolina	3 / 20 / 0	C+	Stifled by physical press; struggled to create vertical space.
5	vs UMass	12 / 108 / 0	A	Career-high receptions; elite stamina on long, sustained drives.
7	vs Alabama	1 / 2 / 0	D	Worst Game. Virtually erased by elite secondary talent.
8	@ Auburn	4 / 61 / 0	B+	Every catch resulted in a first down; displayed clutch gene.
9	@ Vanderbilt	7 / 109 / 0	A-	Won repeatedly on intermediate digs; high-effort YAC.
11	vs Texas A&M	1 / 1 / 0	D+	Limited by offensive line struggles and heavy defensive bracketing.
12	vs Miss State	4 / 41 / 0	B	Sound technical game; reliable safety valve for the QB.
13	@ Oklahoma	7 / 115 / 0	A	Exploded for 38 yards after catch; showcased "track speed" gear.
14	@ Arkansas	0 / 0 / 0	A-	Zero catches, but won the game with a 67-yard punt return TD.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Leadership: A quiet leader; respected for learning four playbooks in four years.

• Mental Toughness: Faced immense pressure as a high-profile transfer; always produced.

• Competitor: High. Plays with a chip on his shoulder as a "smaller" receiver.

• Team Player: Credits his "St. Louis roots" and offensive line for his success.

• Star Power: When he gets the ball in space, the stadium holds its breath.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 80/100

• Height/Weight: 5'11", 180 lbs. (Under 6'0"/200lb targets; lean, twitchy frame).

• Stamina: Exceptional; Missouri’s primary target on high-tempo 10-play drives.

• Durability: Played through minor knocks to appear in all 12 regular season games.

• Injury History: Medically clean 2025; minor illness late in the year (Gator Bowl status).

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Catching: Elite. Only 2 drops on 80 targets (78.8% catch rate).

• Route Running: Strength. Elite stem manipulation and suddenness at the break point.

• Body Control: High; makes difficult, contorted catches along the sideline look easy.

• Separation: Creates "explosive" space via short-area quickness.

• Release: Savvy; uses a variety of hesitations to defeat press-man coverage.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Speed: 4.40 range. "Football fast" with a gear that surprises safeties.

• Agility: World-Class. Elite lateral movement and stop-start ability.

• Jumping: Solid; utilizes a 35-inch vertical to compete for 50/50 balls.

• Acceleration: Reaches top speed instantly; a true "zero-to-sixty" athlete.

• Break Tackle: Uses elusiveness rather than power; makes the first defender miss 80% of the time.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Awareness: Exceptional; masters the "scramble drill" and understands defensive leverages perfectly.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Elite technical route runner; world-class short-area quickness and agility; reliable "hands-catcher" (top 10 nationally in drop rate); high-impact special teams returner; proven producer across multiple conferences (SWAC, ACC, SEC).

• Weaknesses: Lacks prototypical NFL size (180 lbs); can be rerouted by physical, "bully" corners; limited catch radius for jump-ball situations.

• Scheme Fit: Protypical Slot Receiver in a high-volume West Coast or Air Raid offense (e.g., Dolphins, Bengals, Rams).

• NFL Comparison: Diontae Johnson / Wan'Dale Robinson.

Scout's Final Word

"Kevin Coleman Jr. is the most 'pro-ready' slot receiver in this class. While he doesn't have the frame of a WR1, his technical mastery of the route tree and his 'vacuum' hands make him a Day 1 starter in the slot He’s a high-floor prospect who provides immediate value as a punt returner and a chain-mover on third downs. Projected: Round 4-5."