LINCOLN, Neb. — Wide receiver Malachi Coleman, the jewel of coach Matt Rhule’s first recruiting class at Nebraska, has left the team amid a redshirt season and intends to transfer, Rhule said Monday.
Coleman was a four-star signee out of Lincoln East in 2023. He signed in December 2022, days after Rhule was hired. Coleman made a visit late in the process to see Colorado and then-new coach Deion Sanders. A speedster at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Coleman was rated as the top prospect in the state of Nebraska in his class and the Huskers’ highest-rated signee at No. 63 nationally in the 247Sports Composite.
Coleman played in 11 games as a true freshman last year and made six starts, catching eight passes for 139 yards with one touchdown.
This year, as the Huskers leaned on older receivers, Coleman played in just one game. Rhule said early in the season that Nebraska hoped to redshirt Coleman to aid in the development that he missed a year ago while prepping to play.
Rhule said he wished Coleman the best.
“I can’t say anything but great things about Malachi,” the coach said.
Malachi Coleman’s announcement. pic.twitter.com/bLzoNbIHDQ
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) November 25, 2024
Nebraska’s progress in the passing game slowed in the second half of this season before its 44-25 win on Saturday against Wisconsin to attain bowl eligibility after a seven-year drought.
Freshman Jacory Barney Jr. leads the Huskers with 49 receptions. Seniors Jahmal Banks (36 catches for 467), a transfer from Wake Forest, and Texas transfer Isaiah Neyor (32 catches for 448 yards) have not provided the consistent playmaking that many observers expected.
(Photo: Steven Branscombe / Getty Images)
