Camp Takeaways: Huskies ‘Race Horse’ Running Back Jonah Coleman Ready for Big Season
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Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman speaks with the media on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 at the Dempsey Indoor Center in Seattle, Washington. Credit: Aaron Coe/Emerald City Spectrum [/caption]
SEATTLE, Wash. — The Washington Huskies believe that less now means more later for star running back Jonah Coleman.
While the other UW running backs take a majority of the practice reps, Coleman’s fall camp carries are scattered as the Washington coaches try to keep the 5-9, 225-pound senior fresh for what they hope is a big season.
“We haven’t held him back,” Washington running backs coach Scottie Graham said. “It’s just that, you look at that racehorse, you got to make sure they race a certain amount of times. When it’s time to race, in two weeks he’ll be ready to roll.”
How many carries their horse will get remains to be seen. Behind a patchwork offensive line, Coleman finished the 2024 season with 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns on 193 carries. He added 23 catches for 177 yards. Coleman reworked his body during the offseason, shedding about 15 pounds. He often made his own holes last season, routinely breaking tackles at the line of scrimmage to average 5.5 yards per rush. This season, he may evade and run away from defenders a little more than last season while maintaining the stout frame that makes it difficult to bring him down.
As one of the top returning backs in the country, it would be easy to suggest 1,500 yards.
“I would say so,” Coleman said about shooting for 1,500. “But you know, I haven’t really been feeding into personal goals during camp. Just getting to know my teammates a little bit better, getting the details and the chemistry together while running plays, and just being the best leader I can be.
“Stats and things happen when you’re having fun and being the best teammate you can possibly be.”
Doing some quick math — assuming Coleman ups his average to six yards per carry — he would need 250 carries to reach 1,500 yards. That means about 4-5 more carries per game this season. The Huskies may be able to find those with more sustained drives that could come with what is expected to be much better line play. But they’ll also look for quarterback Demond Williams Jr. to carry the ball, and backup running back Adam Mohammed will be involved. The team may want to see what Jordan Washington and his 10.2 100-meter track speed can do in a game.
Still, it would seem, though, that if the carries are there, the yards will pile up fast for Coleman as the Huskies’ bell cow back.
Friday practice update
With the rain falling, the Huskies held a shorter than usual practice of about 1 hour, 45 minutes under the roof of the Dempsey Indoor Center. They continued positional work and install, along with a few situational scrimmage sessions. The lighter session was similar to what a Thursday practice would often be prior to a Saturday game. And UW will get a taste of game action in a mock game, 6:30 PM Saturday at Husky Stadium. The session will run approximately two hours, and will be followed by a time for fans to meet players on the field. Entry is free, but tickets, available through this link, are required.
Some players who were not at Thursday’s practice returned Friday, including starting cornerback Tacario Davis. I did not see defensive tackle Logan Sagapolu out there for the second straight day, however.
NFL scouts have been out to practices at times this fall. Jedd Fisch spoke with scouts from the Bucanneers, Titans, and Jets as he walked off the practice field on Friday.
True freshmen continue to make cases
True freshman guard John Mills spent most of Friday’s practice with the first-team offense. While it’s too early to call him the winner of the left guard battle, it sure looks like he’ll be the one to take the field first in Saturday’s mock game. It would seem that Paki Finau will also see time at guard this season, regardless of who is named the starter. Zach Henning, who is the backup center, also seems slated for some time on the interior line during games.
“John’s physical,” Coleman said. “He loves the game. He’s really detail-oriented. … He’s continuing to grow and learn from the older guys.”
Receiver Dezmen Roebuck also continues to put on a show during practices. The true freshman caught back-to-back touchdown receptions during a red zone drill on Friday. It seems as though he’s emerged as someone who will be in the regular receiver rotation along with Denzel Boston and Rashid Williams. Based on what’s occurred at practices, it will be interesting to see if he pushes Penn State senior transfer Omari Evans for playing time. I would be pretty surprised if Roebuck isn’t among the top four wide receivers in terms of snaps this season.
“Sometimes God gives people different things,” Graham said. “[Roebuck’s] ability to track that ball and catch it — it’s just God-given.”
Scottie-isms
Graham is one of the more entertaining coaches to talk to after practices and games. He puts a unique spin on things, and it’s easy to understand why he has such tight relationships with players and recruits. Here are a few things the former NFL running back talked about on Friday.
On having fun: “It’s a choice, man. Wake up every day happy, or wake up sad. Those are the choices we have. Seek joy.”
On making players happy: I can’t make them happy. That’s a volunteer process. I try to give them ideas, let them know to be grateful. If they’re walking and talking and their family’s OK, that should make you smile.”
On whether or not Coleman will catch more passes: “That’s up to the guy who signs everybody’s check. My job is to get them ready.”
On true freshman running back Quaid Carr: “He’s been here 10 days. I can’t wait until I really get into that clay, that meat and potatoes, and really get a chance to coach him. … He’s a natural runner. He’s smooth, got good size on him. Young dude — I’m excited to see what’s going to happen.”
On different styles of running backs: “I like to diversify. I mean, a Hellcat, a Range Rover, different cars — you know, like little Tonka cars we used to have and put them suckers in the little carrying blue thing.”
