Antonio Coleman, OLB

After serving in a backup role in 2006, Coleman developed into one of the SEC's most feared pass-rushers in '07 and '08, earning all-conference accolades both seasons and posting a combined 29 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.

Coleman started off slow as a senior, partially tearing a ligament in his wrist that required a cast on his right hand and made it difficult for him to fight through blocks. Once the cast was removed, however, Coleman was a terror -- posting 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss over his final seven games, including the Outback Bowl victory over Northwestern. Despite his slow start, Coleman led the SEC in tackles for loss (16.5) and sacks (10) in 2009.

Coleman's production behind the line of scrimmage is impossible to ignore. So too, however, is his lack of size, which is why so many of his total tackles (151) occur for loss. Coleman may have to prove he's athletic and instinctive enough for coverage. Otherwise, NFL teams will have a hard time finding a spot for him, which could result in a surprisingly low grade.

Read & React: Appears to have at least adequate instincts to make the transition to the rush linebacker position. Aggressive off the snap as a defensive end. Primary job is to get upfield as a pass rusher, but reacts quickly to the draw and screen. Locates the ball and is efficient in getting involved in the action.

Run defense: Lacks the bulk and upper body strength to remain as a full-time defensive end. Surprising initial pop due to good upper-body strength to take on and shed blocks when in space. Locates the football quickly and will pursuit laterally and downfield. Has to do a better job of protecting his legs in space. Questionable ability to flow through the trash. Gets caught up and loses his feet too often.

Pass defense: Rarely asked to drop into coverage in this scheme. Appears to have the agility and straight-line speed to handle basic coverage duties, but ability to run with receivers, route-recognition and ball-skills (one career interception) are largely untested.

Tackling: Flashes some explosiveness as a hitter due to his upper-body strength and willingness to leave his feet. Forced four fumbles over his career. Lunging at the ballcarrier, however, can result in some ugly whiffs. Lacks the size and strength to slide off blocks consistently and make the one-arm tackle. Flashes the agility to break down in space and make the tackle on the elusive ballcarrier, but is inconsistent in this area. Good hustle to pull down the ballcarrier from behind.

Pass Rush/Blitz: His best asset. Good burst off the edge out of the three-point stance to pressure the offensive tackle's outside shoulder and has the quickness and balance to re-direct inside. Has enough flexibility to get under the tackle's reach, turn and close on the passer. Good upper-body strength and hand placement to pop the blocker and get free quickly. Good lower body strength to drive the bigger blocker back onto his heels due to his natural leverage advantage. Good speed as a stand-up rusher.

Intangibles: Showed his toughness by playing through an injury to his wrist (partially torn ligaments) that required a cast and limited his production early in his senior season. Suffered a cervical sprain in spring 2008 practice, but has played the past two seasons with no issues. Graduated with a degree in criminology and is currently working on a second degree in Health Promotion. Member of the 2008-09 SEC Academic Honor Roll. Candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS award, given annually to players who demonstrate ability on and off the field to make a difference.

Has registered at least one tackle for loss in 16 of his last 25 games played … Is one sack shy of moving into tie for 10th in career sacks with Stanley McClover (2004-05) with 15.5.

Coleman, a Mobile native and former Williamson standout, was named an All-SEC defensive end after leading the league with nine sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2009. He will finish his Auburn career third on the all-time sacks list with 23.5.

Coaches' All-SEC First Team … Associated Press All-SEC First Team … Phil Steele's All-SEC First Team … Named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (9-29) for performance against Tennessee … Finished seventh in SEC, 59th in NCAA, in sacks per game (0.55), 12th in SEC, 96th in NCAA, in TFL's per game (0.95) … Played in 11 games, all starts … Finished with seventh-most tackles on team with 46 … Led team with 10.5 TFL's and 6.0 sacks … In season opener vs. Louisiana-Monroe, registered two TFL's (-7), one QB sack (-5), two QB hurries and one forced fumble that was returned for a TD by Michael Goggans … Recorded a sack, a QB hurry and six total tackles in victory against Southern Miss … Had one tackle, a 7-yard QB sack vs. Mississippi State … Registered three tackles, two solo, including 1.5 TFL's for minus three yards vs. LSU … Also had four QB hurries vs. LSU … Had four total tackles, three solo, inlcuding 1.5 TFL's (minus 7 yards) and 1.0 sacks (minus 4 yards) vs. Tennessee … Against Vanderbilt, had five tackles (four solo) but did not register a TFL for the first time this season … Recorded five tackles, four solo, including 2.0 TFL's for minus 3 yards, 1.0 sacks for minus 2 yards and four QB hurries against Arkansas … Led team with six tackles, five solo, vs. West Virginia … Also had a sack for minus seven yards and half a TFL for minus 1 yard vs. WVA … Had five tackles, two solo, with one QB hurry vs. Ole Miss … Had one QB hurry to go with three tackles, two solo, vs. Georgia … Against Alabama, had three assisted tackles and one pass break-up … Finished tied for fifth in SEC in sacks per game (0.55), and ninth in TFL's per game (0.95).

Rivals.com Second Team All-SEC … Named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (Oct. 29) for his performance vs. Ole Miss … Led team with 18.5 (-84) TFL's and 8.5 (-54) quarterback sacks … In last eight games, all starts, has 14.5 tackles for loss (-64) … Had at least one TFL in nine of 13 games and multiple TFL games seven times … Fourth in SEC in tackles for loss (18.5) and tied for fifth in sacks (8.5) … Had three or more tackles in seven of 13 games … Made first career start in Vanderbilt game, tallying three stops including two tackles for loss (-7) … . Celebrated 21st birthday by recovering a fumble and returning it 34 yards with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter to seal 23-13 come-from-behind victory against Kansas State … Tied career-high with three tackles in South Florida loss, including first career quarterback sack (-12) … Tallied two tackles, including quarterback sack (-4) against Mississippi State … Career-high five tackles, two tackles for loss (-4) and quarterback sack (-2) against New Mexico State … Recorded a TFL and sack in three consecutive games in Sept., tallying 4.0 tackles for loss (-20) and 3.0 quarterback sacks (-18) during last three contests … Three tackles, two for loss (-15) and one sack (-9) at Arkansas … Set career highs vs. Georgia with eight tackles, all solo, and 4.0 tackles for loss … Had one QB hurry and one pass broke up to go with two tackles vs. Alabama … Recorded two tackles with 1.5 (-6) sacks against Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Finished with 18 tackles and six quarterback hurries … Totaled three solo tackles against Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl … Finished with two tackles against Alabama, including one for loss (-3) … Posted two solo tackles against Georgia … Finished with two tackles and two quarterback hurries against Arkansas State … Posted two tackles, including one solo, against Florida … Credited with a team-leading two quarterback hurries against LSU … Played in his first career game against Washington State and made three solo tackles.

Redshirted.

2008: Suffered a cervical neck sprain in spring practice.

2009: Partial tore ligaments in his wrist. Played with a cast during the first half of the season to immobilize his thumb.

Garnered 147 tackles and 23 sacks as a senior … Led his team to a 10-3 record and to the quarter-finals of the playoffs … Birmingham News Super Seniors … All-State honors … Alabama Sports Writers Association's Super 12 … Mobile Register Super Southeast 120 … SuperPrep Dixie Team … PrepStar All-Region … Awarded honorable mention All-Southern Football Team by the Orlando Sentinel … Montgomery Advertiser All-State football team … Alabama Sports Writers Association 5A Lineman of the Year … Scout.com top 75 Defensive Ends … Scout.com Postseason Alabama Top 30 … Rivals.com Outside Linebackers Top 50 … Rivals.com Alabama Top 25 … Also played basketball and ran track.

Born Sept. 1, 1986 … Son of Olivia Coleman … Majoring in criminology.