2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jonah Coleman, Washington

Name: Jonah Coleman

Position: Running Back

School: University of Washington

Height/Weight: 5’9”, 225 lbs

Class: Senior (2025 season)

Hometown: Stockton, CA

High School: Lincoln High School

Recruiting Rank: 3-star recruit, No. 36 RB nationally in 2022 class (247Sports)

Draft Projections:

• Pro Football Network → Day 2 (Rounds 2–3), top-100 overall, RB5 (November 2025)

• PFF → Day 2 potential, mid-round riser

• NFL Draft Buzz → Round 2–3, high-floor RB with three-down utility

• Tankathon/WalterFootball → Round 3–4 projection

• Consensus → Day 2 (Rounds 2–4), RB4–6; strong Combine could push into early Round 2

Career Background

A three-star recruit, Jonah Coleman began at Arizona (2022–2023), rushing for 1,243 yards and 9 TDs in a complementary role. He transferred to Washington following coach Jedd Fisch, breaking out in 2024 with over 1,000 yards before a solid senior year in 2025 (759 yards, 15 rush TDs on ~157 carries despite inconsistent line play). Coleman earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors previously and showcased versatility as a receiver. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft post-2025 season.

Career Stats

• 2022–2023 (Arizona): ~203 carries, 1,243 yards, 9 TDs

• 2024 (Washington Junior): ~193 carries, 1,053 yards, 10 TDs; ~23 receptions, ~177 yards

• 2025 (Senior): 157 carries, 759 yards, 15 TDs (4.8 YPC); 31 receptions, 346 yards, ~2 rec TDs

• Career Totals: ~553 carries, ~3,055 yards, ~34 rush TDs; ~86 receptions, ~870 yards

Advanced Stats (2025, PFF):

•  PFF Overall Grade → ~81.7 (solid mid-tier among FBS RBs)

•  Yards Per Carry → 4.8 (consistent efficiency)

•  Forced Missed Tackles → 35 (0.223 per attempt; 55th percentile among qualified FBS RBs)

•  Yards After Contact → 563 (3.59 per attempt; 80th percentile among qualified FBS RBs)

•  Breakaway Run Rate → ~33.3% (70th percentile among qualified FBS RBs)

•  Explosive Plays → 20 (0.127 per attempt; 60th percentile among qualified FBS RBs)

•  Receiving Grade → Improved but functional (checkdowns/screens focus)

•  Pass Protection → Competitive and willing

Awards and Accolades

High School:

•  Highly productive dual-threat (3,319 rush yards, 58 TDs; 799 rec yards, 10 TDs)

College:

•  Third-Team All-Big Ten (2024)

•  Consistent starter and efficiency leader under Jedd Fisch

Character and Leadership

Coleman earns praise for his maturity and honesty, with Washington coach Jedd Fisch noting his loyalty in staying for his degree to be the first in his family to graduate, calling him a “centerpiece” who embodies team leadership. In interviews, Coleman discusses his unfiltered views on the transfer portal as “roster cleansing” for improvement, while emphasizing personal growth through faith and offseason transformation (losing 14 pounds and 2.6% body fat). Running-backs coach Scottie Graham commended his wide skill range, and fans/media describe him as grounded and dedicated. No off-field issues, reprimands, or negative criticism surfaced; scouts view him as a positive influence. Academically, he finished a quarter with a 4.0 GPA, with no specific major found.

Injuries

No major reported injuries; durable across multiple seasons with increasing workloads. Compact build aids in absorbing contact.

Play Style

Coleman is a sturdy, physical runner with outstanding vision, patience, and contact balance in gap/zone schemes. He presses the line, baits defenders, and finishes forward with leverage and power. Functional receiver on checkdowns/screens; competitive pass protector. Lacks elite top-end speed but compensates with processing, quickness, and physicality; comps include Doug Martin (build/physicality) or David Montgomery.

Strengths

1.  Vision & Processing — Elite feel; surveys, manipulates gaps, redirects efficiently.

2.  Contact Balance — Dense frame, forward lean; gains YAC through arm tackles.

3.  Physicality/Finishing — Low pad level, seeks contact; tough short-yardage runner.

4.  Pass Protection — Willing and competitive; stays alert in blitz pickup.

5.  Versatility — Handles volume, contributes in pass game/protection.

Weaknesses

1.  Elite Speed/Explosion — Adequate burst but often caught from behind in open field.

2.  Receiving Polish — Limited route tree; primarily underneath threat.

3.  Lateral Agility Ceiling — Good twitch but not elite separator outside numbers.

4.  Big-Play Dependency — Relies on scheme/setup more than raw traits for explosives.

5.  Size Limitations — Shorter frame may cap against longer NFL defenders.

Final Evaluation

Jonah Coleman is a high-floor, physical runner with translatable vision, balance, and three-down utility in the 2026 class. Cross-referencing PFN, PFF, and NFL Draft Buzz emphasizes his processing, YAC ability, and toughness as NFL-ready traits, though limited explosion caps ceiling. In pro-style or zone-heavy schemes, Coleman projects as a Day 2 steal with RB2 potential (David Montgomery comp) and reliable committee floor. Strong testing could elevate him into Round 2; he profiles as a grinder capable of contributing early.

Sources

•  Pro Football Network (2025 scouting reports, big boards)

•  PFF (grades, analysis)

•  NFL Draft Buzz (full profile/scouting report)

•  Tankathon/WalterFootball (rankings)

•  Sports-Reference (career stats)

•  Washington/Arizona Athletics (bio, transfer info)