Report: Boston College WR Johnathan Coleman Will Not Return

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

According to Rivals’ Eric Hoffses, Boston College Eagles wide receiver Johnathan Coleman has declined to return to the team for a fifth and final season.

Coleman, who was academically a senior this year, redshirted in 2009, and would have had a year of eligibility remaining, completes his Boston College career with 804 receiving yards and four touchdowns. All of those came in the 2012 season when he experienced a resurgence; after a brief but productive redshirt freshman year in 2010, Coleman caught just five passes in 2011. In his final season, Coleman made 33 receptions for 482 yards, including a career-long 52-yard catch in a drive which ultimately resulted in a touchdown.

A Bronx native, Coleman overcame a number of difficulties in his personal and family life to become a productive member of a BCS-conference football team. He earned our respect and we wish him well in his future endeavors.

However, in terms of the football team as a whole, Coleman’s departure means a top receiver is not going to be available on the depth chart. This could create opportunities for younger players such as sophomores Dan Crimmins, Marcus Grant (Iowa transfer), and Harrison Jackson, or redshirt freshman Nigel Matthews, amongst others. Boston College’s 2013 recruiting class only includes two wideouts, Drew Barksdale and Charlie Callinan, and both may be redshirted. The receiving corps has gotten even younger, and will require big contributions from underclassmen in order for the offense to succeed.