Miles Coleman’s Versatility Could Make Him Eric Morris’ Offensive Swiss Army Knife

Eric Morris has plenty of weapons.

Wyatt Young can create in space.

Justin Bowick brings a ridiculous combination of size and speed.

Caleb Hawkins gives Oklahoma State an explosive presence out of the backfield.

Miles Coleman though, might offer something none of them can provide quite the same way.

Versatility.

Coleman was named Monday to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, joining 38 other players being recognized as candidates for the award given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.

When you look at how Coleman was used at North Texas, the recognition makes sense.

Receiver.

Runner.

Punt returner.

Kick returner.

Now Morris gets to figure out how many different ways he can deploy him at Oklahoma State.

That could make Coleman one of the most interesting pieces of this entire offense.

Technically, Coleman is listed as a wide receiver.

That doesn't fully explain his value.

Last season at North Texas, Coleman caught 47 passes for 550 yards, while also receiving rushing opportunities and contributing in the return game. Oklahoma State’s official release credits him with three receiving touchdowns plus an 18-yard rushing touchdown.

That's exactly the type of player creative offensive coaches love.

Because the more things Coleman can do, the harder it becomes for a defense to predict what Oklahoma State is doing based solely on personnel.

Put him in the slot.

Move him outside.

Send him in motion.

Give him the football.

Use him in the return game.

Make defenses account for him everywhere.

Here's another interesting detail.

According to PFF data cited by Pistols Firing, 353 of Coleman's 385 offensive snaps last season came from the slot.

But based on Oklahoma State's media-viewing periods during practice, PFB doesn't expect Coleman to necessarily occupy that same slot role in three-receiver formations.

That's fascinating.

Because Morris already knows what Coleman can do.

He coached him last season.

If he's now experimenting with where Coleman lines up, that could be about expanding his responsibilities rather than simply recreating what worked at North Texas.

That's exactly what Oklahoma State should do.

We've talked a lot recently about how different Oklahoma State's receivers are.

That's what makes Coleman particularly valuable.

Bowick creates one problem.

Young creates another.

Coleman can potentially create several.

Defensive coordinators love identifying tendencies.

Who is on the field?

Where are they lined up?

What does Oklahoma State typically run from this formation?

Versatile players can muddy those answers.

If Coleman can line up in multiple spots and perform multiple responsibilities, Morris can change what the offense looks like without changing personnel.

That's an advantage.

Coleman's versatility extends beyond offense.

He returned punts and kickoffs at North Texas last season, and his career includes production as a receiver, runner and returner.

That's precisely why the Hornung Award exists.

The best football players aren't always defined by one position.

Sometimes they're defined by how many different ways a coaching staff can trust them.

Coleman has already shown he can impact multiple phases.

Now Oklahoma State gets to decide how much it wants to put on his plate.

This is another important advantage.

Coleman isn't a transfer Morris has to spend August figuring out.

They already worked together at North Texas.

Morris knows his strengths.

He knows his limitations.

Most importantly, he already knows the situations where Coleman can be dangerous.

That's why his transfer to Oklahoma State could be so seamless.

The terminology isn't foreign.

The expectations aren't foreign.

The coach designing his opportunities isn't foreign.

Now the challenge is translating all of it to the Big 12.

Preseason watch lists are fun.

They create recognition.

They give players something to chase.

But being one of 39 players on a list in August doesn't determine anything.

What interests me much more is why Coleman made it.

He isn't being recognized exclusively because of receiving yards.

He's there because he can affect a football game in multiple ways.

In an Eric Morris offense built around space, matchups and creativity, that skill set could become extremely valuable.

Oklahoma State has several offensive players who will generate more headlines.

Mestemaker is the quarterback.

Hawkins is the star running back.

Bowick's size and speed will attract attention.

Young's development has already generated comparisons to some impressive names.

But don't overlook Coleman.

He doesn't need 100 receiving yards every Saturday to change games.

Maybe it's a return.

Maybe it's a jet sweep.

Maybe it's a catch underneath that becomes an explosive play.

Maybe it's simply lining up somewhere unexpected and forcing a defense to adjust.

That's what versatility provides.

The Paul Hornung Award recognizes college football's most versatile player.

And if Eric Morris fully unlocks Miles Coleman, Oklahoma State fans might quickly understand why his name is already on that list.