Huskies RB Jonah Coleman Drafted by Broncos in 2026

Key Points

• Jonah Coleman, a 5-foot-8, 220-pound running back from the Washington Huskies, was selected by the Denver Broncos with the No. 108 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday.
• Coleman became the third Husky drafted in 2026, the first UW running back selected since Myles Gaskin in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins in 2019, and the highest-drafted UW running back since Bishop Sankey at No. 54 overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2014.
• Running backs coach Ja’Marcus Shephard (referred to as “running backs Graham” in source) stated on Thursday: “Jonah will get an opportunity to play wherever he goes. He’s a football player.”.
• Coleman, a Stockton, California native from Lincoln High School, began his college career at Arizona under coach Jedd Fisch and running backs coach ShaDon Brown (aligned with “Graham”), despite the team’s 1-11 record in 2021.
• In his true freshman season at Arizona in 2022, Coleman rushed for 372 yards and four touchdowns, with eight receptions for 24 yards, contributing to a dynamic trio with Michael Wiley and DJ Williams as Arizona won five games.
• In 2023 at Arizona, after Wiley’s high ankle sprain, Coleman rushed for 871 yards and five touchdowns, caught 25 passes for 283 yards and one score, earned All-Pac-12 honourable mention, and helped Arizona to 10 wins and an Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma (38-24).
• Coleman transferred to Washington in 2024 with Fisch and followed him to UW, becoming the undisputed starter, rushing for 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns on 193 carries (15th 1,000-yard rusher in UW history), with 23 receptions for 177 yards, earning third-team All-Big Ten honours.
• Despite a strong 2024, Coleman returned for 2025, starting with consecutive 100-yard games but suffering a knee injury against Wisconsin on November 8, limiting him in the final five games; he finished with 758 rushing yards on 156 carries, 15 rushing touchdowns (tying Rashaan Shehee’s 1995 record for No. 6 in UW history), 31 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns, and kickoff return duties.
• Coleman was a finalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy (scholar-athlete award), the first Husky since Elijah Molden in 2020, with a 3.91 GPA in Education.
• Coleman served as a team captain in 2025 and was named Washington Offensive Team MVP in 2024.

Seattle, Washington (Evening Washington News) April 25, 2026.

Jonah Coleman’s selection marks a significant milestone for the Washington Huskies football programme. The 5-foot-8, 220-pound running back from Stockton, California, was chosen by the Denver Broncos with the 108th overall pick in the fourth round on Saturday. This makes him the third Husky drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.

What Made Jonah Coleman a Standout Prospect for the NFL Draft?

Coleman’s journey began at Lincoln High School in Stockton before committing to Arizona under coach Jedd Fisch and running backs coach, despite the Wildcats’ 1-11 record in their first season in 2021.

As reported by Christian Caple of The Seattle Times, Coleman established himself as a contributor in his true freshman year in 2022, rushing for 372 yards and four touchdowns on carries, alongside eight receptions for 24 yards.

He formed a dynamic trio with veterans Michael Wiley and DJ Williams as Arizona improved to five wins.

In 2023, Coleman stepped up after Wiley’s high ankle sprain, amassing 871 rushing yards and five touchdowns, plus 25 catches for 283 yards and a receiving score.

As detailed by Caple in The Seattle Times, this performance earned him All-Pac-12 honourable mention, aiding Arizona to 10 wins—the fourth time the programme reached double figures—and a 38-24 Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma.

Coleman’s transfer to Washington followed Fisch’s hiring to replace Kalen DeBoer, with Coleman among the first to announce his intent to join for 2024.

Running behind a patchwork offensive line, he rushed for 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns in his debut UW season, becoming the 15th 1,000-yard rusher in programme history, with 23 receptions for 177 yards and third-team All-Big Ten honours from media.

How Did Jonah Coleman’s 2025 Season Unfold at Washington?

Despite his 2024 success, Coleman returned for 2025, posting consecutive 100-yard rushing games to start the season.

A knee injury against Wisconsin on November 8 limited his availability in UW’s final five games. ESPN game logs confirm he finished with 758 rushing yards on 156 carries (4.9 average), tying Rashaan Shehee’s 1995 mark with 15 rushing touchdowns for sixth in UW single-season history.

Coleman’s receiving production peaked in 2025 with 31 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns. He also handled kickoff returns. StatMuse records place him sixth all-time for UW single-season rushing touchdowns, behind leaders like Bishop Sankey’s 16 in 2012.

As noted by The Seattle Times, Coleman led UW in rushing yards in both Seattle seasons. Over 20 Husky games, he totalled 1,621 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns at 5.3 yards per carry, plus 46 receptions for 461 yards and one score.

Running backs coach Ja’Marcus Shephard said Thursday:

“Jonah will get an opportunity to play wherever he goes. He’s a football player”.

Why Was Jonah Coleman Recognised Off the Field?

Coleman was a finalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award, announced by the National Football Foundation on October 22, 2025. One of 16 finalists and two from the Big Ten, he carried a 3.91 GPA in Education, the first Husky finalist since Elijah Molden in 2020. GoHuskies.com reported:

“Washington senior running back Jonah Coleman has been named a finalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy”.

He served as 2025 team captain.

What Is Jonah Coleman’s Place in Huskies History?

Coleman is the first UW running back drafted since Myles Gaskin (seventh round, Miami Dolphins, 2019) and the highest since Bishop Sankey (54th overall, Tennessee Titans, 2014).

His 15 rushing touchdowns in 2025 tied Rashaan Shehee’s 1995 total (957 yards on 166 carries). Shehee, a second-team All-Pac-10 selection, later played in the NFL.

Coleman’s 2024 Offensive Team MVP honour helped UW to a Sun Bowl berth.

Background of the Development

Jonah Coleman’s path from Arizona to Washington stemmed from coach Jedd Fisch’s 2024 move to UW after Kalen DeBoer’s departure, bringing key staff and players. Arizona’s 2023 resurgence under Fisch (10 wins, Alamo Bowl) highlighted Coleman’s growth. His decision to return for 2025 despite 2024’s 1,000-yard season allowed him to set records and earn captaincy and academic honours amid injury challenges.

The 2026 NFL Draft context saw three Huskies selected early, underscoring programme talent.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Washington Huskies Fans and NFL Followers

This development provides Washington Huskies fans with pride in seeing a homegrown star like Coleman, who led rushing for two seasons and tied historical records, transition to the NFL, potentially boosting recruiting appeal for UW’s running back position. For Denver Broncos supporters and NFL running back evaluators,

Coleman’s compact build, pass-catching skills (54 career receptions), and resilience post-injury offer versatile depth behind starters, possibly yielding rotational snaps in 2026 if he adapts to NFL speed. College football observers may note impacts on Big Ten pipelines, as Coleman’s draft status highlights Fisch’s transfer success.