Top Florida RB Commits to Tigers

by TigerNet Staff - Mon Feb 04 13:20:47 GMT-04:00 2002

CLEMSON – According to mickeyplyler.com, Clemson has picked up yet another commitment. This time from Naples, FL running back Duane Coleman. The 5-foot-10, 185 pound Coleman had perhaps the best season of anyone in Florida as the state’s leading rusher and also by leading his team to the Class 5A state title. For the year, Coleman rushed for 2814 yards and averaged an amazing 11.4 yards per carry. He also scored 40 touchdowns. Coleman carried the ball 28 times for 203 yards and one touchdown to help Naples capture its first Class 5A state championship with a 21-17 win over Chamberlain. Despite these numbers, when the Mr. Football votes were tallied, Coleman wasn't even a finalist for his class. The 5A choice went to Ciatrick Fason, a running back who rushed for 534 fewer yards and played for a team that didn't win a playoff game. “Coleman is a very productive back,” said recruiting analyst Mickey Plyler. “He had a tremendous senior season. He has explosive speed and great hands out of the offensive backfield. Perhaps his biggest compliment is that he had offers from Ohio State and Miami.” On the Orlando Sentinel's Florida top 100 senior football prospect list, Coleman is rated as the No. 10 prospect in Florida and the No. 1 true running back. He has 4.5 speed and benches close to 300 pounds. Coleman also had offers from Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan State, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Miami. Clemson assistant Thielen Smith recruited Coleman for the Tigers. 2002 Football Commitments 1 DL Cory Groover 6-3 235 Hannah-Pamplico 2 LB Brandon Jamison 6-2 220 SW Miss JUCO 3 LB Kelvin Morris 6-3 225 SW Miss JUCO 4 QB Will Proctor 6-3 190 Winter Park, FL 5 LB Anthony Waters 6-3 205 Lake View, SC 6 DE Irvin Brisker 6-7 240 Conyers, GA 7 ATH Gerald McCloud 6-3 185 Jacksonville, FL 8 WR Ty Zimmerman 6-4 195 Fork Union Prep, VA 9 OL Roman Fry 6-4 255 Ironton, OH 10 P/PK Cole Cason 6-0 165 Roswell, GA 11 OL Tim Debeer 6-6 270 Atlanta, GA 12 RB Reggie Merriweather 5-10 190 North Augusta 13 DB Larry Williams 5-11 175 Tallahassee, FL 14 DB Jeff Francoeur 6-4 195 Lilburn, GA 15 OL Dustin Fry 6-2 295 Summerville 16 OL Brad Lee 6-4 265 Hephzibah GA 17 DB Chris Carter 5-11 174 Kannapolis NC 18 DL Brandon Cannon 6-4 250 Stone Mou. GA 19 DL Vontrell Jamison 6-8, 260 Holly Hill SC 20 LB Donnell Clark 6-2, 245 Griffin GA 21 DE Gaines Adams 6-6, 235 Fork Union Prep, VA 22 WR Kelvin Grant 6-2 200 Camden, SC
23 QB Chansi Stuckey 6-0 170 Warner Robins, GA 24 OL Nathan Bennett 6-4 295 Dallas, GA 25 RB Duane Coleman 5-10 185 Naples, FL