DJ Coleman Bio
DJ Coleman (born September 2, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end who has competed at both the collegiate and professional levels in the United States and Canada. He played college football for the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Missouri Tigers before entering the National Football League as an undrafted free agent. Coleman has represented multiple organizations including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Birmingham Stallions, and Montreal Alouettes across his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Coleman was born on September 2, 1998, in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended South Atlanta High School in his hometown, where he played football as a defensive lineman. His high school career demonstrated his potential as a pass rusher, earning him all-region honors. He was also invited to the APS All-Star Game, where he won the defensive MVP award, showcasing his ability to dominate against top competition in the state.
Coleman received interest from multiple collegiate programs and ultimately chose to continue his football career closer to home. He committed to play for the Jacksonville State Gamecocks over several other offers, selecting the FCS program as the foundation for his development as a future professional player.
Path to Professional Football
Coleman began his collegiate career at Jacksonville State in 2018, appearing in 11 games as a freshman. He recorded 11 tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss during his debut season, demonstrating his ability to disruptive the opposition backfield even as a newcomer to the program.
His sophomore year in 2019 marked a significant development in his game. He started 11 games and finished with 59 tackles, placing fourth on the team, while leading the squad with 10.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks. His dominant performance earned him second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors and third-team FCS All-American recognition from HERO Sports, establishing him as one of the top defensive linemen in the FCS.
During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Coleman elevated his play to an even higher level. He totaled 54 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, and nine sacks in the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined, earning first-team All-OVC and second-team All-American honors. His nine sacks ranked second nationally that season, solidifying his reputation as an elite pass rusher at the FCS level. As a senior in the fall 2021 season, he continued his strong play with 55 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, and 3.0 sacks, earning All-ASUN Conference selection. He concluded his tenure at Jacksonville State having made 179 tackles, 30.5 tackles-for-loss, and 18 sacks across 47 games played.
Following his senior season, Coleman entered the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to the Missouri Tigers for his final year of collegiate eligibility. At Missouri in 2022, he appeared in 12 games, posting 37 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks. After the regular season, he declared for the NFL draft and opted out of the team’s bowl game, concluding his college career and beginning his transition to professional football.
DJ Coleman Career
Jacksonville Jaguars (2023–2024)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft, Coleman signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. He appeared in all three preseason games during training camp, totaling eight tackles as he competed for a roster spot. The Jaguars waived Coleman on August 29, 2023, but re-signed him to the practice squad the following day, keeping him in the organization for continued development.
Coleman spent the remainder of the 2023 season on the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2024. During the 2024 preseason, he played in all three games, earning one start, and tallied six tackles. The Jaguars waived Coleman again on August 27, 2024, and re-signed him to the practice squad the following day.
His patience paid off when he was elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 15 game against the New York Jets. Coleman made his NFL regular-season debut in that contest, appearing on 15 defensive snaps and making three tackles in his first NFL game action. He was released from the practice squad on December 27, 2024, ending his tenure with the Jaguars organization.
Birmingham Stallions (2025)
On January 27, 2025, Coleman signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League, joining the spring professional football league that features former NFL players and college standouts. He participated in the Stallions’ offseason program as they prepared for the UFL season. However, he was released by the team on April 8, 2025, before the regular season began.
Montreal Alouettes (2025)
Coleman signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on April 22, 2025, continuing his professional football career north of the border. The Alouettes compete in the CFL’s nine-team league, which provides another pathway for American players seeking to continue their football careers. Coleman was released by the Alouettes on May 20, 2025, following a brief stint with the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Coleman’s primary strengths lie in his ability to pressure the quarterback and disrupt opposing running games. Throughout his collegiate career, he demonstrated consistent production as a pass rusher, recording 18 sacks at Jacksonville State and 4.5 sacks at Missouri. His high tackle-for-loss totals at both programs reflect his quick first step and ability to Penetrate gaps in the offensive line. His experience playing multiple techniques and alignments provides versatility for different defensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Coleman’s professional career came during Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season when he made his regular-season debut for the Jacksonville Jaguars against the New York Jets. Seeing his first NFL game action after nearly two years in the organization represented the culmination of his journey from undrafted free agent to active roster player. His three tackles in that debut demonstrated his readiness to contribute at the professional level.
DJ Coleman Career Statistics
Coleman has compiled statistical achievements across both his collegiate and professional career, with his most prolific production coming during his time at Jacksonville State.
College Statistics Highlights
At Jacksonville State from 2018 to 2021, Coleman appeared in 47 games and established himself as one of the top defensive linemen in the FCS. He accumulated 179 total tackles, 30.5 tackles-for-loss, and 18 sacks during his four-year career with the Gamecocks. His 2020 and 2021 seasons were particularly impressive, as he combined for 23.5 sacks and earned All-American recognition both years. At Missouri in 2022, he added 37 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks in 12 games, bringing his career collegiate totals to 216 tackles, 39 tackles-for-loss, and 22.5 sacks across 59 career games.
Professional Statistics
During his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars organization from 2023 to 2024, Coleman appeared in limited game action. His sole NFL regular-season appearance came in Week 15 of the 2024 season against the New York Jets, where he recorded three tackles. Across two training camps with the Jaguars, he combined for 14 tackles in preseason play.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Tackles | Tackles for Loss | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State (2018–2021) | 47 | 179 | 30.5 | 18 |
| Missouri (2022) | 12 | 37 | 8.5 | 4.5 |
| NFL (2024) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
DJ Coleman Family
Family Background
Limited verified information is publicly available regarding DJ Coleman’s family background, parents, or family lineage in professional football. He was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended South Atlanta High School before embarking on his collegiate football career.
Personal Life
Coleman maintains a presence in the football community and continues working toward his goal of establishing a sustained professional career in the sport. Details regarding his marital status, spouse, or children are not publicly available in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a period of transition for Coleman as he sought to establish himself in professional football following his release from the Jacksonville Jaguars organization. He joined the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League in January 2025, participating in their offseason activities and training camp. The Stallions are perennial contenders in the UFL, and the opportunity provided Coleman with a platform to showcase his abilities in a professional setting with spring football’s unique schedule.
After being released by the Stallions in April, Coleman quickly found another opportunity with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. The move to the CFL represented a new challenge and a different style of football, as the league features a three-down system and larger playing field compared to the NFL. Signing with the Alouettes in late April gave Coleman the chance to compete for a roster spot in a nine-team league that has historically provided opportunities for American defensive linemen.
Coleman’s brief tenure with the Alouettes ended in late May when he was released, indicating that he did not secure a roster spot with the team. As the 2025 season progresses, Coleman remains a free agent and continues to pursue opportunities in professional football leagues. His collegiate production and NFL experience provide a foundation for continued opportunities, though he must demonstrate consistency and adaptability to earn a sustained role at the professional level. His journey reflects the challenges faced by undrafted players seeking to establish long-term careers in professional football.