Football Recruiting: Lavon Coleman Signs LOI With Washington
Lavon Coleman, the only running back commit in Washington’s Class of 2013, has sent in his letter of intent, meaning he can officially be considered a Husky. This was the expected outcome for the back out of Lompoc, California despite offers from several other Pac-12 programs, including UCLA, Cal, Arizona, Oregon State, and Washington State.
He gave his verbal commitment to Washington on the 1st of July, 2012, and has really stayed solid and fairly quiet about his recruiting since then, even when Joel Thomas, the running backs coach that served as his primary recruiter, left for the same position at Arkansas. He visited Fresno State this past weekend, really the only time he has shown interest in another program, reaffirmed his commitment to the Huskies a few days ago.
Listed at 5’11” and 210 pounds, Coleman is already built like an every-down, 20 carry per game type back. A lack of elite speed may be his only real weakness, as Scout lists balance and instincts as his greatest strengths while also pointing out his solid receiving and blocking.
I expect him to redshirt, given that Bishop Sankey’s work horse capabilities only leave a handful of carries per game to the second and third string runners. If Sark and Co. really think Coleman is so much better than Erich Wilson, Kendyl Taylor (who switched to wide receiver but continued to get backup carries) or the currently injured Jesse Callier that it’s worth burning a year of eligibility to give him a few touches a game, I suppose they could, but I think that it is unlikely to happen.
If that’s the case, look for him to emerge as a candidate to replace Sankey after his junior year in 2013 (when it’s possible he leaves for the NFL) or his senior year in 2014.