Evan Daum
Edmonton Journal
Harry Coleman knows he can make an impact on the football field.
Now the Edmonton Eskimo hopeful is proving it.
A four-year veteran of the South Eastern Conference with the Louisiana State University Tigers, the import linebacker has impressed at his first Canadian Football League training camp.
Unable to stick around with the New Orleans Saints after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2010, Coleman came to Edmonton hungry to prove his football worth after most recently playing with the United Football League’s Hartford Colonials in 2010.
“I went to the UFL and then the team folded and I was out for a season,” Coleman said. “Then the Eskimos contacted me and my agent. I’m grateful that they gave me an opportunity to play ball again.”
Coleman turned heads during Edmonton’s first pre-season contest, a 20-17 loss to the Calgary Stampeders on Friday. It was his first meaningful game in more than a year.
“The first game in a long time. It felt really good – like a little kid waiting on Christmas,” said Coleman.
He made a trio of tackles, including a sack on Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell in the third quarter, not to mention a stellar block on Calgary’s Mark Dewit earlier in the game to help set up cornerback Joe Burnett‘s interception return for a touchdown.
“It was all right. It wasn’t too much of a big play. It was just leading my teammate to a touchdown,” said Coleman, whose ability may have been difficult to pinpoint during the frenzy of activity during training camp.
“My guy, Joe, got the pick and I saw from across the field that somebody was trailing him, so I just gave it my all to go,” he said.
A national champion with LSU in 2008, and the team’s most valuable player during his senior season in 2009, Coleman appears to have all the makings of a successful pro.
Sitting atop the Eskimo depth chart at a linebacker position as of Monday, he seems poised to finally realize his potential, but the Louisiana native isn’t taking anything for granted.
“It was just a pre-season game. I’ve got to keep working and keep my head in the notebook. Stay grinding, stay focused, stay humble and hard working,” Coleman said.
