Former FSU star Keon Coleman is first pick of NFL Draft’s Day 2
By Matt Baker
Tampa Bay Times
Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman became Mike Norvell’s latest skill player to be drafted and didn’t have to wait long on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. The Buffalo Bills took him with the first pick of the second round (No. 33 overall) Friday.
Coleman, a 6-foot-3, 213-pound Louisiana native, played just one season at FSU after transferring from Michigan State. But it was a big one.
He starred in his Seminoles debut, catching three touchdown passes in a 45-24 win over LSU that established FSU as a College Football Playoff contender.
His sky hook of a catch in a home rout of Syracuse was one of the plays of the season.
And his 24-yard jump-ball touchdown reception at Clemson gave the ’Noles an overtime win and their first triumph over the Tigers since 2014.
Coleman earned first-team all-ACC honors in three different spots: receiver, all-purpose player and return specialist.
In addition to his receiving numbers (50 catches, 658 yards, 11 touchdowns), he amassed 300 yards on 25 punt returns as a pivotal part of an FSU team that started 13-0 and won the ACC title.
Coleman was viewed as a second-round prospect with a chance to sneak into the first round of a draft loaded with receivers. The Buccaneers were among the teams interested in him.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Coleman as the draft’s No. 33 prospect. The Athletic pegged him at 37th.
Norvell recruited or developed six running backs or receivers who were drafted from his time at Memphis.
Coleman is the first offensive skill player drafted from Norvell’s FSU tenure, but at least two others (receiver Johnny Wilson and running back Trey Benson) were also expected to be taken this weekend.
Coleman is the second former FSU star drafted already; defensive end Jared Verse went to the Rams (No. 19 overall) in Thursday night’s first round.
Later on Friday night, the Los Angeles Rams drafted FSU defensive lineman Braden Fiske with the 39th overall pick.
With the last choice of the second round, San Francisco selected FSU cornerback and Wekiva High alum Renardo Green.
Seminoles star running back Trey Benson went to Arizona with the second pick of the third round.
Near the end of Friday night’s selections, the Jaguars picked Seminoles cornerback Jarrian Jones with the 33rd slot in the third round at No. 96 overall.