Malachi Coleman’s football journey has taken another turn, and this one might finally be the right fit.
The former Nebraska blue-chip receiver is generating real buzz at Wisconsin, where early fall camp reports suggest he’s putting himself in position for a starting role. For a player who arrived in Lincoln as one of the most coveted prospects in the state, then spent a brief and quiet stop at Minnesota, this latest chapter is starting to look a lot more promising.
Friday’s practice is what really put Coleman on the radar. Mark Stewart of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said the redshirt junior stood out in a big way, noting that he “made catches in a variety of fashions, working the middle of the field and flat and getting a couple of balls from over the top of the defense.”
Evan Flood also highlighted Coleman’s day, writing that he “produced a lot in practice today. Made a number of catches away from his body or going to the ground. Also reeled in a deep ball on a free play.”
Flood added that Coleman “was with the 2's today, but had been running 1's.”
The most eye-catching part of the reports is how Coleman is being used. Stewart described a practice in which Coleman started with a contested sideline grab on a deep ball, then showed his speed on a catch over the middle that turned into a big play before finishing with a touchdown on a deep ball from Deuce Adams.
That’s the version of Coleman Wisconsin has been hoping to unlock. At 6-foot-5, he brings a frame that can overwhelm smaller defensive backs, but the challenge has always been turning that size into consistent production. Early signs at Wisconsin suggest the Badgers may be getting closer to that answer.
There’s also a clear path for him to matter right away. Coleman chose Wisconsin this past winter knowing the wide receiver room offered a chance to carve out a major role. Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes made it plain at media day that the Badgers are still searching for their top vertical threat.
“Somebody needs to emerge as that deep threat for us. There’s two or three guys that might do that, but we’ve gotta see throughout the course of fall camp who really proves to be that primary vertical threat,” he told reporters.
Coleman has responded by stacking positive days. After the Friday praise, he drew even more attention on Sunday, with much of the chatter centering on his ability to fight for the ball and win in jump-ball situations.
That’s the kind of skill set that can change the picture fast. If Coleman keeps trending this way, he could go from being one of Wisconsin’s most intriguing weapons to one of the Big Ten’s more dangerous ones.
And for Nebraska fans, there’s at least one small silver lining: the Huskers won’t face Wisconsin in the regular season this year. That means they can watch Coleman’s latest reset from a distance and hope the former hometown standout finally found the place where his game clicks.
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The more frustrating part is where those names landed. Jackson, Pieper and Thaden are all positioned to cross paths with Nebraska this season, which turns the snub into more than just a recruiting footnote. It is a reminder that the Huskers are still fighting for traction in the talent conversation, and that the players showing off the biggest physical upside right now are being discussed in connection with other programs instead. [Read more 🡒]