A ninth running back popped up on Penn State football team's 2025-26 roster on Monday. He is the second-to-last addition that's made his way to Happy Valley.
Jabree Wallace-Coleman, listed as "Jabree Coleman" on the official roster, will wear No. 21 on offense for the upcoming season. Coleman and redshirt freshman safety Vaboue Toure will share the jersey number.
Coleman was a four-star recruit from the class of 2025 who chose the Nittany Lions over Michigan State, North Carolina, and Georgia where he was originally committed. The Pennsylvania native was ranked No. 295 overall, No. 21 overall among running backs, and No. 6 out of his home state on 247Sports Composite rankings.
At Imhotep Charter High School, he played varsity all four years and was the captain for two, according to his player bio. He holds the record at his school for most touchdowns in a game.
At Penn State, he'll join past Imhotep Charter graduates Tyseer Denmark, Keon Wylie, Kenny Woseley, and Enai White. Having these Happy Valley connections helped Coleman make his decision as to where to commit back in June 2024.
As a senior, Coleman had a total of 1,135 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, 122 receiving yards on 13 receptions, and one receiving touchdown. The year prior, he had 1,610 rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns with an additional two receiving scores, eight receptions for 218 yards, and one return touchdown. Also as a junior, his team went on to win the state championship, according to Penn Live.
“I think [Coleman is] an every-down back,” Imhotep running backs coach Michael Gandy said, according to On3. “He . . . set the tone for us in that state championship game, at least offensively, with a great block on the first play of the game . . . He also catches the ball well out of the backfield. I think he also has great vision and is patient. I also believe that, later on in the year, as it gets colder, he becomes even more important because he runs well between the tackles. He keeps a low pad level and it allows us to control the game."
The Nittany Lions' running back group in the locker room now consists of Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton, Cam Wallace, Quinton Martin, Corey Smith, Tokey Hayes, Tyler Holzworth, Amiel Davis, and Coleman. As Allen and Singleton enter their final year of eligibility, head coach James Franklin and running backs coach Stan Drayton won't have much to worry about for the future with the position's depth already forming.