Minnesota Gophers Swipe Physical Freak WR (and Former Top 75 Recruit) from Big Ten Rival
It has been an unbelievably successful early transfer portal season for PJ Fleck and the Minnesota Gophers, but they have shown no signs of slowing down yet. In fact, they’ve only gained momentum the last couple days.
Nebraska WR Malachi Coleman transferring to Minnesota
On Monday, they got a commitment from senior UCLA wide receiver Logan Loya. On Tuesday, they followed up the Loya transfer commitment with a another wide receiver get, in Malachi Coleman, a former 4-star recruit out of Lincoln NE, who was the No. 63 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports.
Let’s rock. @GopherFootball pic.twitter.com/sUwysPBI3V
— Malachi Coleman (@ChiColeman23) December 24, 2024
As a freshman at at his hometown school, Coleman caught 8 balls for 139 yards and 1 touchdown, and started 6 games. But something happened to get him in Matt Rhule’s doghouse. As a sophomore, the 6’5″, 210 pound physical freak appeared in only ONE Huskers game all season, and was labeled a redshirt back in September.
Related: Minnesota QB Max Brosmer Lands on NFL Draft Hot Board
According to PFF, Malachi Coleman played just three snaps, total, and they all came in week six… on special teams. All season long, speculation swirled as to why Coleman wasn’t playing, but Matt Rhule mostly refused to give any information.
On November 25, just four days after the above press conference, Rhule announced to Huskers media that Malachi Coleman was entering the transfer portal. Nearly one month later, he revealed on social media that he is transferring to the Minnesota Gophers.
Minnesota Gophers successfully restocking WR room
PJ Fleck and OC/WR coach Matt Simon have pretty successfully restocked a wide receiver room that was looking rather depleted, now that Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer are out of eligibility. Those two guys were replaced with proven veterans Javon Tracy (Miami of Ohio) and the aforementioned Logan Loya. LeMeke Brockington will also be at the top of the depth chart.
Malachi Coleman slides in as another young, uber-talented (and unproven) wideout, who according to Minnesota Gophers recruiting expert Ryan Burns (247Sports), will compete with Tyler Williams and Christian Driver, two others who are incredibly talented, but also unproven.
Why did Coleman end up in Dinkytown? He told college football insider Allen Trieu (247Sports) that what the OC Matt Simon’s history of developing wide receivers, along with PJ Fleck himself being a former wide receiver, were major factors in his decision.
Sources close to Coleman say the development of the receivers under position coach Matt Simon, as well as head coach P.J. Fleck having played the position himself were factors in his interest in the Gophers.
Allen Trieu – 247Sports.com
Malachi Coleman highlights at Nebraska
He Has Arrived 🙌
— Navy All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) October 21, 2023
2023 All-American Malachi Coleman (@ChiColeman23) extends the lead for @HuskerFootball #GBR 🌽 #AllAmericanBowl 🇺🇸
pic.twitter.com/WKFX4WjYAN
Related: Two Minnesota Gophers Declare for NFL Draft
Malachi Coleman pic.twitter.com/KPizmIe8Fi
— What does the film say? (@Huskers_film) November 5, 2023
Malachi Coleman
— What does the film say? (@Huskers_film) November 20, 2023
Looking like Megatron @calvinjohnsonjr
24 pass attempts
40 carries
Vs. Wisconsin #Huskers pic.twitter.com/YnZTyitHPq
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