Jonah Coleman Addresses Talk With Seahawks in Pre-Draft Process

The top running back prospect discusses his interactions with the Seahawks ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:22am

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Jonah Coleman, one of the top running back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, has had extensive discussions with the Seattle Seahawks during the pre-draft process. Coleman spoke openly about his positive interactions with the Seahawks' general manager, running backs coach, and the similarities between Washington's offense and the Seahawks' system. The Seahawks are in the market for a starting running back, and Coleman could be an ideal fit given his familiarity with the team's coaching staff and offensive scheme.

Why it matters

The Seahawks are in need of a reliable starting running back, and Coleman's strong connection to the team's coaching staff and offensive system could make him a prime target for Seattle in the upcoming draft. As one of the top running back prospects, Coleman's decision on where to play could have a significant impact on the Seahawks' offense in the 2026 season.

The details

Coleman has already visited the Seahawks and met with their general manager John Schneider and running backs coach Thomas Hammock. He noted that he had a 'great conversation' with Hammock and that they 'saw eye-to-eye on literally everything' they discussed. This is likely due to the fact that the offense Coleman ran at Washington was very similar to the Seahawks' system, with nearly identical terminology. Additionally, the Seahawks recently hired former Washington Huskies offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty, who coached Coleman for all four years of his college career. This familiarity with the Seahawks' coaching staff and offensive scheme could give Coleman a significant advantage in transitioning to the NFL and becoming the team's starting running back.

  • With less than a month left until the 2026 NFL Draft, teams are starting to finalize their top prospects.
  • Coleman has been talking to teams during the pre-draft process, with the Seahawks being one of the teams he has discussed in more detail.

The players

Jonah Coleman

A top running back prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft who played for the University of Washington Huskies.

John Schneider

The general manager of the Seattle Seahawks.

Thomas Hammock

The running backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks.

Jimmie Dougherty

The offensive assistant for the Seattle Seahawks, who previously served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Washington Huskies, where he coached Jonah Coleman.

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What they’re saying

“I visited the Seattle Seahawks. I met the GM [John Schneider], and that was great. I had a great conversation with their running backs coach. We saw eye-to-eye on literally everything we were talking about. We ran an identical offense at Washington to many NFL teams. The terminology was very similar.”

— Jonah Coleman, NFL Draft Prospect

What’s next

The Seahawks will continue to evaluate Jonah Coleman and other top running back prospects in the final month leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft. Coleman will likely participate in additional team visits and workouts as he looks to solidify his status as one of the top running back options in the draft.

The takeaway

Jonah Coleman's strong connection to the Seattle Seahawks' coaching staff and offensive system makes him an intriguing option for the team in the upcoming draft. If the Seahawks decide to select Coleman, he would have a clear path to becoming their starting running back and could provide an immediate boost to their offense.