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Vitals
Position: Safety / Running Back / Quarterback
High School: Christ The King Regional, Middle Village New York
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 190
Origin Story
Christ the King is more known for its basketball programs than for it's football prowess so it's no wonder that osme recruiting sites were lacking a James Coleman football profile to match his basketball profile. The scouts, however, liked what they saw. Michigan, West Virginia, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple and UConn all took a run at Coleman, most of them trying gauge the six foot three inch Senior's interest in playing safety at the next level.
Buffalo coach Matt Simon thinks he sees the future of UB's backfield in Coleman and quickly offered him a scholarship at his preferred position. Buffalo offered Coleman everything he wanted, the opportunity to play right way, get a good education and coaching staff he felt comfortable with.
"I felt like Buffalo committed to me first. I can succeed there, do big things. They weren’t scared to come after me." - James Coleman
Coleman was needed at Quarterback soon after 2012 started, and managed to play that position about as well as he had been playing running back.
2013 Prospectus
Coleman who was named to the All-Diocesan Football Team as a running back during his Junior year was named to the "All Queens" football team by the New York Post this season. The post noted:
The talented and hard-to-tackle junior took over at quarterback a few games into the year and the Royals played their best football of the season. He was third in the CHSFL in total offense with 2,108 yards to go along with 20 total touchdowns, helping to make the players around him better. -- New York Post
He was also given honorable mention by the Time Ledger in their All Queens team.
Where does Coleman fit?
If there is one think 2012 showed Buffalo fans it's that no amount of depth can keep a good player off the field. It may have taken a swarm of injuries but just this past season true freshman Devin Campbell carried a significant amount of the work. Coach Quinn seems far more comfortable playing with the running backs than he does other positions in his spread offense.
That being said 2013 is not a good looking year for an incoming freshman. Branden Oliver (sr), James Potts (jr), and Campbell (so) will all be fighting for carries. There are also several other backs in the mix.