Buckeyes corner Northmont's Coleman
By Ron Jackson
Dayton Daily News
CLAYTON | Northmont High School cornerback Kurt Coleman blew his cover Saturday morning.
He took himself off the football market and verbally committed to Ohio State University. He is the fourth player from the 2006 high school class to commit to the Buckeyes (Springboro tight end Jake Ballard committed earlier this month). Coleman met with head coach Jim Tressel and his defensive secondary staff (Paul Haynes and Tim Beckman) and told them of his decision. But it was a tour of Ohio Stadium last week given by starting safety Nate Salley that helped to seal the decision.
"Nate Salley told me what it was like coming out of the tunnel with 105,000 fans cheering for you," Coleman said. "He said how electric The Horseshoe is on a Saturday. That took my breath away and I can't wait to be a part of that atmosphere."
The All-Ohio Division I first-teamer had 10 interceptions and 91 tackles for the Thunderbolts last fall and helped Northmont to a 9-1 record. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Coleman is considered one of the nation's top cornerbacks by several recruiting services.
Ohio State edged out Big Ten rival Iowa for his services. Coleman's parents, Stebbins boys' basketball coach Ron Coleman and Heidi Williams supported his decision.
"Proximity and the academics were determining factors, too" Coleman said. " I'm going to study special education and Ohio State has everything I want in that field. That means a lot to me."
Coleman plays with ferocity and excels as a lock-down cornerback with 4.39 speed in the 40-yard dash and a 36-inch vertical leap. His coverage skills match his tackling skills. That's why he attracted over 40 college offers.
Coleman, who carries a 3.0 GPA, plans to graduate early from Northmont next January and head to Columbus to acclimate himself to college life. His older brother Kyle is an OSU student.
Contact Ron Jackson at (513) 696-4543
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