Pompey Coleman wants to test himself against D-Line-Zou, ready to compete early

It took less than a month for Barry Odom to sell Indianapolis offensive lineman Pompey Coleman to become a Missouri Tiger.

The rising senior committed to Mizzou on April 9th after hearing from the Tigers in March. Coleman is currently one of two commitments on the offensive line, joining DeSoto’s Hyrin White.

Missouri’s offensive line was not good last season, even with two NFL draftees in Evan Boehm and Connor McGovern. It’s a position that’s still very much a work-in-progress — adding late 2016 recruit Darvis Holmes is evidence of that, and they may not be done.

Despite no offensive linemen set to graduate after the 2016 season, Coleman said that the staff does not expect him to take a redshirt season.

"That means competition for early playing time, I’m cool with that," Coleman said. "They just said high-intensity play, no step-backs, full-throttle."

His Rivals.com profile listed him at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, which doesn’t scream SEC-ready offensive tackle weight. Coleman said that he currently weighs 275, with the hopes of playing at 285 come the start of the football season.

Coleman’s athletic frame allows for good reach on defensive linemen and he can help seal blocks for running backs. Another strength of his, he said, is the ability to make the first punch and get to the second level of defenders.

One thing Coleman needs to work on, he said, is the ability to stay low off the snap. Perhaps new offensive line coach Glen Elarbee can help with that.

Though Cornell Ford was his lead recruiter, the combination of Ford, Odom’s vision and Elarbee is what has Coleman excited to get to Columbia next summer.

"I like his method and how he treats every player as if they’re his own son or brother," Coleman said. "That family aspect of it is great."

The 2015 football season was one to forget for Missouri fans and many are pessimistic about the Tigers’ chances in 2016. Coleman, on the other hand, feels the strong defense Odom has in place will continue to impress and the offense will be vastly improved.

Despite losing its top two offensive lineman, the o-line will be one of the better units in the SEC, according to Coleman. That is, if it’s able to handle the #DLineZOU in practice.

"If you’re going up against those type of caliber of defensive linemen, once you’re able to block them in practice, you’re able to block everybody," Coleman said.

Coleman was looking forward to testing his abilities against Charles Harris when he gets to Columbia, though Harris is likely to leave for the NFL after a presumable dominate season. Coleman will likely have to settle for a challenging Nate Howard, Tre Williams and freshman All-American Walter Brady.

In addition to preparing for his senior season, he is also acting as a recruiter for the 2017 class. He said he’s doing his best to stay in St. Louis offensive lineman Marquis Hayes’ ear. Landing Hayes would mean securing one of the fastest rising prospects in the country.

"I’m trying to make sure MU ’21 is going to be a great class," Coleman said. "I’m 100% committed."

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