Getting to know the 2011 Duck newcomers: Tyson Coleman

His name means “firebrand.”  Tyson Coleman is a competitor and an elite athlete, a product of a good family who won’t let the worst day of life define him.

On Memorial Day weekend, he was stopped walking near campus with a can of Four Loko malt liquor.  He tossed the can aside and ran from police, arrested after a long chase (the cops were on bikes) and charged with Minor in Possession and interfering with police.

It’s up to Coleman to decide how he’ll be remembered.  All the early signs were good–a kid with a mature body who takes training seriously, an all-state safety and running back, the 2010 Offensive Player of the Year, committed as a junior in October of 2009, enrolled in school early to participate in spring practice.  He had a great spring and got into the Spring Game as a third-team linebacker and special teams player, looked to be in line to contribute as a true freshman.

Tyson Coleman lays wood.  Watch his highlight video and you get a key clue to how tough and physical he is by watching him carry the ball as a tailback.  An inside runner with authority,  when he gets to the second level as a running back, he’s looking for someone else to hit.  On defense, he sheds blocks and reads the offensive play well.  His time at saftety will help him as a linebacker; he has no trouble ranging the whole field or in coverage.  He’s well-taught: watch him slash with his arm and go for the strip, particularly when running down a ball carrier from behind.  He’s easily the best athlete on the field  as a 6A high schooler.  A good all-around athlete, he played wing on the 17-9 Laker basketball team, a role player and rebounder who worked hard for his points, and he ran a leg in the 4×100 relay in track.

Both Rivals and Scout rated Coleman, 6-2, 220, as a four-star recruit.  He had had offers from Oregon, Oregon State, and Washington before wrapping up his recruiting early in October of his junior year.  Nebraska had interest and tried to woo him out of his verbal, but Tyson had followed the Ducks since 5th grade and attended several of their 2010 home games:

“I like Oregon, it’s close to home, the coaches and program. I’m an Oregon fan, when I grew up in California I was always an USC fan, but since I’ve been on Oregon (Ducks) since the fifth grade.”
 
“I went to most of Oregon games except two or three. The games are loud and everyone is jacked up. The stadium isn’t the biggest but the formation where it funnels down makes it loud.”
 
“My favorite game was USC it was crazy but I don’t think it was as crazy against Oregon State-it was nuts.”

2010 Stats:

214 carries for 1,580 yards (7.4 yards per carry)

14 receptions for 183 yards

24 total touchdowns

defense: 78 tackles and three interceptions

team record: 10-3, state semi-finals