2/13/2021 football Edit

Five-star WR Kevin Coleman loves relationships formed with Gill, Hawkins

Jordan Kaye

Special to Devils Digest

Back in April, Kevin Coleman hopped on the phone with ASU defensive backs coach Chris Hawkins and wide receivers coach Prentice Gill for the first time, kicking off a dialogue and a relationship that has blossomed in the months since.

On that call, Gill offered Coleman, a five-star athlete from St. Louis. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder being recruited as a wide receiver is currently ranked as the 17th-best player in the country, the third-highest rated athlete, and the best player in Missouri.

If he chose Arizona State, he would be the highest-ranked Sun Devil commit since linebacker Vontaze Burfict chose Tempe in 2009.

But ASU has competition. The coveted wideout has 33 offers and, needless to say, will write his own ticket regarding the school of his choice. Coleman said the Sun Devils are right there in terms of schools recruiting him the hardest, neck-and-neck with Alabama, Oregon, Texas and Florida State.

“(ASU) has always kept it straight-forward with me. Kept a good relationship with me and my friends,” Coleman said. “And always put me ahead.”

Hawkins and Gill are to thank for that positive review. The two young coaches, both of whom are under the age of 30, have used their youth to their advantage while recruiting Coleman.

“It’s really cool. Hawk are Prentice are the coolest coaches and most-straightforward guys I’ve ever met. They can relate. They both played ball in college, so they know how recruiting is and how to deal with a recruit,” Coleman said. “Really, I can just be myself (talking to them). I can talk to them about anything. My daily life. Every situation.

“It’s like having a big brother to talk to but it’s a school that’s offering you … (Me and Prentice) talk every day.”

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And there are a few things Hawkins and Gill have been able to sell Coleman on.

For one, the five-star mentioned that ASU has really played up the fact that its produced back-to-back first-round wide receivers in N’Keal Harry and Brandon Aiyuk. Furthermore, for a recruit as skilled and touted as Coleman, the Sun Devils have used the ‘Pro Model’ to their advantage, trying to show Coleman that they can put him on the path to get to and succeed in the NFL.

“It’s very important. You have to surround yourself with guys who have been there. Not guys who talk about it,” Coleman said. “I’ve talked to coach Herm (Edwards) and AP (Antonio Pierce) a lot of times. It’s a blessing. They can give me their knowledge. And what I love about those two is I can be myself around them. I don’t have to change the way I do anything.”

Coleman has some reason to hold NFL expectations. During his sophomore year at St. Mary’s High, the speedy wide receiver caught 76 passes for 1,512 yards and 21 touchdowns. This year, despite just playing four games because COVID shortened the season, Coleman hauled in 19 passes for 426 yards and 8 scores.

Those gaudy stats and the five-star ranking are proof to Coleman that he’s destined for greatness.

“I would describe myself as one of one. I think as my game keeps going, I’ll go down as one of the best in history to play the game of football,” Coleman said.

“I looking for somewhere that’s going to get me ready for the next level. As the game grows, I want to grow. I want to go somewhere I can start my first year and be an All-American my first year. A school that is going to put me in the position to be the Heisman winner and put me in the position to win the Biletnikoff.”

Coleman said he expects to commit at the Under Armour All-American Game on January 8, making one suitor very happy. If that turns out to be the Sun Devils, Coleman described why he would have made that choice.

“The family vibe they bring and the type of relationship they have with my parents,” he said. “My parents being comfortable with the staff and the program.”

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