If you were watching the draft boards in April 2025, you probably saw a lot of names flash by that made sense. Big-school stars. Combine warriors. Then there’s Seth Coleman. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound outside linebacker from Illinois basically lived in Big Ten backfields for years, yet the Seth Coleman NFL draft journey didn’t exactly follow the "first-round lock" script everyone expects for guys with his frame.
He went undrafted.
👉 See also: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Host Cities: What Most People Get Wrong
Honestly, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher when you look at the raw data. We’re talking about a guy who stayed at Illinois for six seasons—yeah, six—and finished his career with 15.5 sacks and over 27 tackles for loss. He wasn't some bench-warmer; he was a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention who led the Power 5 in road sacks at one point in 2023. So, why did 32 teams pass on him through seven rounds?
The Scouting Report That Scared Teams (And Why It Shouldn't Have)
Scouts can be weirdly picky. When you look at the Seth Coleman NFL draft profile from late 2024 and early 2025, the word "tweener" comes up way too much. People couldn't decide if he was a true defensive end or an off-ball linebacker.
At his Pro Day, Coleman tried to answer those questions. He put up some genuinely eye-popping numbers:
- Vertical Jump: 36.5 inches (That’s elite for a 250lb man)
- Broad Jump: 10-foot-3
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.68 seconds
- Bench Press: 20 reps
He’s bouncy. He’s fast enough. But the NFL is obsessed with "functional strength." Some scouts felt he had "ordinary length" despite his height, and there were concerns about whether he could hold up against 320-pound tackles in the run game.
📖 Related: Why Knicks Highlights From Last Night Have the Garden Believing Again
It's the classic "tape vs. traits" debate. If you watch the Iowa game from 2022 or the Maryland game in 2023 where he had three sacks, you see a relentless high-motor kid. He trusts his eyes. He has this weirdly effective way of dipping his shoulder that makes blockers whiff. But in a draft class full of freakish athletes, "effective" sometimes gets pushed aside for "shiny."
What Really Happened With the Seattle Seahawks
After the draft ended, the Seattle Seahawks didn't waste any time. They signed Coleman as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) in May 2025. It looked like a perfect fit. Mike Macdonald’s defense in Seattle loves versatile, smart edge players who can drop into coverage or rush the passer from different angles.
Coleman actually had a wild summer in 2025. He was signed, waived, and then re-signed just days later. It’s a brutal cycle. He played in the preseason, showed some flashes of that Illinois pass-rush juice, but ultimately fell victim to the numbers game during final roster cuts in August.
The Indianapolis Colts then picked him up for their practice squad, but as of early 2026, he’s still fighting for that permanent 53-man roster spot. This is the reality for a lot of mid-tier prospects. The Seth Coleman NFL draft story isn't over; it's just in that "grind" phase.
Breaking Down the College Production
Look at the consistency he had at Illinois:
- 2022: 45 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries.
- 2023: 50 tackles, 6 sacks, 9 TFLs.
- 2024: 53 tackles, 3 sacks (faced constant double-teams).
He didn't just flash once and disappear. He stayed healthy. He led. He was the guy Bret Bielema pointed to as the "anchor" of that defense.
Why the 2026 Season is the Real Test
If you're tracking the 2026 NFL landscape, keep an eye on how Coleman develops in a pro strength program. The biggest knock on him was that he needed about 10–15 more pounds of "good weight" to survive the trench warfare of the NFL.
He’s basically a classic developmental edge. Teams like the Seahawks or Colts aren't looking for him to be Myles Garrett. They want a reliable rotational piece who doesn't blow assignments and can give you 15 quality snaps a game on third down.
Actionable Insights for Scouting Similar Prospects
If you're a fan trying to spot the "next" Seth Coleman in future drafts, look for these markers:
- The Sixth-Year Factor: COVID-year seniors often have more polished technique but "older" age profiles that scare off GMs.
- Production vs. Projection: Don't ignore guys with 15+ career sacks just because they didn't run a 4.4.
- Versatility Drills: If a player is doing both DE and LB drills at a Pro Day, it usually means the NFL is confused about their fit. That confusion often leads to a draft day slide.
The Seth Coleman story is a reminder that the draft isn't the finish line. It's just a gate. Some guys walk through the front door in a suit; others have to find a side window in their cleats.
If you want to track his progress this season, watch the transaction wires for "elevations" to the active roster. That’s where the real money is made.