A well-traveled, high-GPA running back who followed stops at Bucknell and Rice with a strong final season at Kennesaw State.
Coleman Bennett is a rookie running back with the Chicago Bears, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2026 after a college career that spanned three schools. The Fort Lauderdale native graduated from Kennesaw State with a master's degree while helping lead the Owls to a breakout season, and comes from NFL bloodlines as the son of a former second-round pick.
Path to the league
Bennett starred at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, helping the program win its first state championship in 2018. He spent four seasons at Bucknell, one at Rice, and his final college season at Kennesaw State. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Bears afterward.
Career highlights
Over 32 games at Bucknell, Bennett rushed for 1,071 yards on 297 carries with seven touchdowns and added 78 receptions for 671 yards, earning All-Patriot League honors. He is the son of Donnell Coleman Jr., a second-round NFL draft pick in 1994.
2025 season recap
In his lone season at Kennesaw State, Bennett played all 14 games and was the team's most consistent running back during a 10-3 campaign, rushing for 764 yards and four touchdowns on 157 carries while adding 27 receptions for 213 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Bears coach Ben Johnson praised him during rookie minicamp as an instinctive player identified by the team's running backs coach.
Sources
- ESPN: Coleman Bennett
- Chicago Bears: Coleman Bennett
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- Kennesaw State
- Hometown
- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
