2015 NFL Draft Prospect Tevin Coleman

Nov 22, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Tevin Coleman (6) carries the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 42-27. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Hoosiers running back Tevin Coleman is an intriguing, often overlooked, always underrated 2015 NFL Draft prospect. If this were any other year, Coleman would be leading the FBS in rushing and grabbing all kinds of headlines. But mercurial Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley grabs most of the headlines for being suspended then injured.

Then Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon takes the remaining headlines for collegiate running backs. He is having a season for the record books as he has 2,260 yards, 26 touchdowns and averaging eight yards per carry with one game left. Meanwhile, Coleman has quietly rushed for 2,036 yards, 15 touchdowns and averaged 7.5 yards per carry also with one game left.

So why don’t we hear more about him?

Well, you can say a big part of the problem is the fact that he plays on a horrible Hoosiers team with a record of 4-8. Then of course, the other part is that he plays in the same conference as Gordon while he’s having a magical season. But most draft experts don’t even have him as the No. 3 rated running back in this years draft and some have him going in 2016.

I don’t have any knowledge of what he’s thinking right now but when you rush for over 2,000 yards in the FBS, you’re ready to come on out. And when I look at him on tape, I see a running back that’s definitely ready to come out in the 2015 NFL Draft. Coleman is a patient runner with excellent vision, has plenty of burst to get through a hole and he not easy to bring down.

He’s not Barry Sanders but he can make a man miss and he’s also not Chris Johnson but he has the speed to take it the distance. Coleman is also good in pass protection and a reliable receiver out of the backfield to help his quarterback out. So a team that’s looking for a running back should give him a look because he’s part of the new wave of returning the value of a running back.

And like I’ve said before, passing may be more of a priority these days but the value of running backs has gone down because there aren’t many that are factors. In Coleman’s case, his abilities combined with his production tell us that he is one of those who will be a factor in the NFL. Of the 21 men that rushed for 2,000 yards in college, nine of them have gone on to become factors for teams in the NFL.

I like those odds so to me, Coleman has a 1st-round grade but will probably go in the second if he comes out.

And he will be a factor.