Cosey Coleman reflects on his time at Tennessee

[kamoshika]

Will be bringing his kids to the Alabama game.

There were many battles for Coleman. Both on the game field and practice field. He loved to compete and relished the chance to go against Billy Ratliff.

"Billy Ratliff was one of the best players I've ever went against," Coleman said. "The thing I respected about him was he was a technician. Having went against both Billy Ratliff and Warren Sapp, Billy had a lot of Warren Sapp's abilities. I put Billy in that same conversation with Sapp, Bryant Young and Leroy Glover. He was that caliber of player and it was unfortunate that his injuries kept him from the next level."

Coleman turned pro following his All-American junior campaign. He was drafted in the 2nd round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fifteen years later, it's a decision Coleman would change if given a do-over. "Coach Fulmer's help was tremendous," Coleman said. "I honestly regret not staying in school."
https://tennessee.rivals.com/news/memory-volt-cosey-coleman

Cosey Coleman Bio - University of Tennessee Official Athletic Site

 

[Rudy123]

I remember that Fulmer told him that if he were not almost guaranteed to be a 1st rounder, that he needed to stay for his senior season. Of course, he did not listen to Fulmer.
I have seen situations in which leaving early worked out well and I have seen situations in which staying for your senior season didn't work out very well.
Jason Allen was injured during the UGA game in his senior season. He hurt his hip. Fulmer promised him that if he stayed for her senior season he would move him from safety to corner and thus increase his chances of being a first rounder. It worked out well for him.
Manning stayed also and it worked out for him.
Aaron Foster should have declared for the NFL after his junior season. His NFL stock after his junior season was good but he had a bad senior season because the team was bad and his production went down. He ended up not being drafted at all.

 

[Otis07]

hasn't worked out this season...............yet good luck to Sutton and Reeves-Maybin Hope Alvin gets a bunch of touches in the next three weeks

 

[Vols_14]

If Alvin doesn't get more touches and isn't at least a projected 3rd or 4th rounder... He should stay another season. This RB class is loaded and he may not get drafted at all. Not because he isn't as good, but because he doesn't have the exposure of a Jalen Hurd, Fournette, Chubb, Ralph Webb, Dalvin Cook, etc

 

[RollerVol]

Alvin and Jalen are not ready...period.

GO VOLS!

 

[VolPack22]

I will never knock a guy for choosing to go pro unless I flat out know they won't get drafted as a junior like Tyler Bray did. If he would've stayed I think Butch's first season could've been about an 8 win season and would've improved his draft stock tremendously. If a guy is getting drafted in the 2nd round how can you tell him he made a bad choice? That was a great choice.

 

[VolPack22]

If Alvin doesn't get more touches and isn't at least a projected 3rd or 4th rounder... He should stay another season. This RB class is loaded and he may not get drafted at all. Not because he isn't as good, but because he doesn't have the exposure of a Jalen Hurd, Fournette, Chubb, Ralph Webb, Dalvin Cook, etc

I told everyone that I would not be surprised if they both end up staying. It's looking more and more like they might both stay since they aren't setting the world on fire like they did last year.

 

[jayisavol]

Billy Ratliff one of my all time favorites

 

[General Jack]

I will never knock a guy for choosing to go pro unless I flat out know they won't get drafted as a junior like Tyler Bray did. If he would've stayed I think Butch's first season could've been about an 8 win season and would've improved his draft stock tremendously. If a guy is getting drafted in the 2nd round how can you tell him he made a bad choice? That was a great choice.

Worked out for us... If Dooley had won 8 games we probably wouldn't have canned his ass.

 

[fatal1]

except for a few times this year to me it looks like Jalen isn't running as hard as he did last year.

 

[ajvol01]

except for a few times this year to me it looks like Jalen isn't running as hard as he did last year.

Like when he carried the whole Florida defense 10-15 yards to the 5 yard line?

 

[theutvolunteers]

Alvin and Jalen are not ready...period.

GO VOLS!

I agree. Could change if Dobbs starts connecting in the pass game like the second half. The one one run with Hurd in the open field looked beast.

 

[Orangedogsrule]

Cosey Coleman was a fav. Great guy, great player, great memories. Glad to hear he can see this with his family. VFL for sure.

 

[VolunteerTitan3]

I remember the name Billy Ratliff but who was he exactly?

 

[VolunteerTitan3]

I remember the name Billy Ratliff but who was he exactly?

Sorry didnt mean to post twice..

 

[perico]

I remember the name Billy Ratliff but who was he exactly?

Starting defensive tackle on the 1998 team. Was on his way to being a superstar, but never could shake the injury bug. Had a bad back, if my memory is correct.

 

[NYCVol]

I remember that Fulmer told him that if he were not almost guaranteed to be a 1st rounder, that he needed to stay for his senior season. Of course, he did not listen to Fulmer.
I have seen situations in which leaving early worked out well and I have seen situations in which staying for your senior season didn't work out very well.
Jason Allen was injured during the UGA game in his senior season. He hurt his hip. Fulmer promised him that if he stayed for her senior season he would move him from safety to corner and thus increase his chances of being a first rounder. It worked out well for him.
Manning stayed also and it worked out for him.
Aaron Foster should have declared for the NFL after his junior season. His NFL stock after his junior season was good but he had a bad senior season because the team was bad and his production went down. He ended up not being drafted at all.

Foster's reputation as a space cadet didn't help his draft stock either.

 

[NYCVol]

I remember the name Billy Ratliff but who was he exactly?

Billy was a serious baller, man. Injuries were a constant problem tho.

Go back and watch the stumble/fumble play vs Arkansas and you'll see that Billy hit the Ark Guard Burlsworth (RIP) so hard he knocked him back into QB Clint Stoerner, causing the fumble. Then Billy proceeded to recover the ball. Right up there w/ Dale Jones vs Alabama for best individual effort on a single play in UT history.

 

[Kinger]

Still love old #52