Malachi Coleman Expected to Enter Transfer Portal Again as He Seeks New Opportunity
Malachi Coleman’s college football journey has been anything but predictable. Once a prized recruit and a hometown hero in Lincoln, the former Nebraska wide receiver is now expected to re-enter the transfer portal for the second time in as many years. If he does, it’ll mark his third program in four seasons-a rare path for a player who once carried sky-high expectations.
Let’s rewind. Coleman arrived at Nebraska as a headline commitment in Matt Rhule’s inaugural recruiting class, a big win in a heated battle with Colorado and Coach Prime.
The Huskers fought hard to keep the Lincoln native home, and when they succeeded, it felt like the start of something special. Coleman had the size, speed, and raw talent to make an immediate impact.
And while his freshman season wasn’t flashy, it showed flashes-8 catches, 139 yards, and a touchdown in a year where Nebraska struggled mightily under center, rotating through three starting quarterbacks.
But that momentum didn’t carry over. Coleman didn’t see the field in 2024 and ended up redshirting. After the season, he entered the portal and made the move to Minnesota, where head coach PJ Fleck believed he could finally unlock Coleman’s potential.
That didn’t happen either. Coleman’s lone season with the Golden Gophers saw him catch just five passes for 83 yards. Now, with the portal set to open again on January 2, he’s expected to be on the move once more-another talented player searching for the right fit in an ever-shifting college football landscape.
Coleman’s anticipated departure adds to a growing list of Minnesota players heading to the portal. He would be the eighth scholarship player from the Gophers to do so, joining quarterback Jackson Kollock, running back Fame Ijeboi, wide receivers Kenric Lanier, Cristian Driver, Quentin Redding, and Legend Lyons, along with offensive lineman Reese Tripp. That’s five wideouts from Fleck’s roster alone, making receiver a clear priority for Minnesota’s recruiting efforts in the coming weeks.
What makes Coleman’s story stand out isn’t just the on-field movement-it’s the off-field impact he made, particularly during his time at Nebraska. He was a fan favorite not just because of his potential, but because of his work in the community, especially his advocacy for foster children. That connection to Lincoln made his commitment feel bigger than football.
Now, Coleman is at a crossroads. The talent is still there.
The frame, the athleticism, the flashes on tape-they haven’t gone anywhere. What he needs is a system that believes in him and a quarterback who can get him the ball.
If he finds that, there’s still time for Coleman to write the breakout chapter many expected when he first signed with Nebraska.
His next stop will be one to watch.