Counting On Coleman

In his weekly recruiting column, Dudley E. Dawson chats with Watson Chapel wideout Kyle Coleman (6-2, 205) and about the upcoming release of the Hawgs Illustrated Top 33 college prospects in the state. This story is free and sponsored by the Arkansas Toyota Dealers. Click on the Arkansas Toyota.

While doing research for the Hawgs Illustrated Top 33 rankings of high school prospects, one guy that is somewhat under the radar kept coming up in conversations.

Sure everybody knows about Brey Cook, Kiehl Frazier, Brandon Allen, Grady Ollison, Mitch Smothers, Artez Brown, Davyon McKinney, Marcus Danenhauer and Demetrius Dean – the nine young men who have already been offered by Arkansas.

Clarksville running back Wesleigh Foster also has earned his share of publicity.

But the best hidden gem – so to speak - out there in the state may very well be Watson Chapel wide receiver/quarterback Kyle Coleman (6-2, 205, 4.55).

Coleman, the son of former NFL star and current UAPB head coach Monte Coleman, had 18 catches for 160 yards and totaled 11 TDs while also accounting for 850 yards total offense at a variety of positions.

“Recruiting is going very well for me,” Coleman said. “I am starting to get interest from Arkansas, Tulsa, Kansas, Ole Miss, Kansas and UAPB. I just sent some film off to North Carolina. So far Tulsa has offered, Ole Miss, Kansas State and UAPB.

“Arkansas has shown a lot of interest,” Coleman said. “That would be great. They run the best offense in the country. They’ve got Ryan Mallett and Broderick Green and it would be great to play in that offense.”

He made it clear that he is more focused on team goals than individual ones.

“I want to try and go undefeated and win state,” Coleman said. “My main goal is to just become a better person all-around on and off the field.”

He will settle in at quarterback for Watson Chapel this season.

“This year I am actually going to be playing quarterback,” Coleman said. “I would like to pass for over 20 and about 30 touchdowns. But most of all, it is about our record.”

Watson Chapel, who is moving down from 6A to 5A this season, has prospered under head coach George Shelton and went 10-3 last season.

“It all goes back to our coach and being willing to listen to what he has to say,” Coleman said. “We have worked for him and done whatever he told us to do. We have been very willing and made a strong pact to do so.”

The Hawgs Illustrated Top 33 will be among the magazine’s Summer Football Preview Issue coming in June.





Kyle Coleman