One of the Miami Dolphins' newest wide receivers explains his unusual path to the pros

TL;DR

Kevin Coleman Jr., a new wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, shares his unique journey to the NFL, having played at four different schools in four years. He aims to secure a spot on the Dolphins' roster amid a competitive environment.

Key points

Kevin Coleman Jr. is a new wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins.
He has played at four different schools in four years.
Coleman Jr. transferred due to coaching changes and personal reasons.
He aims to secure a spot on the Dolphins' roster amid strong competition.

Jackson StateLouisvilleMississippi StateUniversity of Missouri

Dec 27, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers during the third quarter at EverBank Stadium. Travis Register-Imagn Images New Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. has a fascinating journey to the NFL. He explained how it came to be on Tuesday. New Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. will have a crowded field around him amid a bid to try to make the 2026 roster. The Dolphins’ wide receiver room is loaded with contenders for playing time - and it should be a wide open group. Coleman Jr., the third and final wide receiver that Miami drafted this past weekend, may have one thing going for him in the bid for playing time. He’s no stranger to quickly acclimating to new environments. After all, he does have one of the most unique paths to the NFL in recent memory: Coleman Jr. has played at four schools in four years prior to the leap to the league. And, on Tuesday, he explained how that came to be.

New Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. explains his unique path to the NFL

Dec 27, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers during the third quarter at EverBank Stadium. Travis Register-Imagn Images *"When I left Jackson State, had a great experience there, had great teammates. Of course, my coach left, so I decided to leave as well – Coach Prime was a big reason why I went there. When I left there and went to Louisville, my first scholarship came from the University of Missouri out of high school. I had a receiver coach, Garrick McGee, he was at Louisville, so I ended up deciding to go there – close to home, great conference. It was just a good move at the time.* *One thing I learned, just keep fighting no matter what…when I left Louisville, that new rule came out that I could transfer – I didn't know I was going to transfer till after the bowl game. I talked back with some coaches and family, end up deciding to go to Mississippi State…I had a great experience there as well. When I left there because of course NIL back home, but I also had a daughter and wanted to be close back to home to give family help."* **- New Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr.** Many of Miami’s draft choices early on chose to stay at one program throughout their college career. Several of them scorned big NIL deals to do so. But Coleman Jr. is kind of zagging while the rest of the field has zigged. Four schools in for years is quite the track record. He shouldn’t have to worry much about changing scenery for the next few years; his eventual rookie contract will be four years in duration. Now…it’s just a matter of him playing well enough as a fifth-round draft choice to ensure he makes the 53-man roster and becomes the kind of contributor he’s capable of. Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) throws a pass in the first quarter of a NCAA men's football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Baylor Bears, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Miami Dolphins News

Q&A

What schools did Kevin Coleman Jr. play for before joining the Miami Dolphins?

Kevin Coleman Jr. played at Jackson State, Louisville, Mississippi State, and the University of Missouri before joining the Miami Dolphins.

Why did Kevin Coleman Jr. transfer schools multiple times?

Coleman Jr. transferred due to coaching changes, the opportunity for better scholarships, and personal reasons, including wanting to be close to family.

What challenges does Kevin Coleman Jr. face in making the Dolphins' roster?

Coleman Jr. faces competition from a crowded wide receiver group as he aims to prove himself as a fifth-round draft choice and secure a spot on the 53-man roster.

How does Kevin Coleman Jr.'s experience with transfers compare to other Dolphins draft choices?

Unlike many of his teammates who stayed at one program throughout their college careers, Coleman Jr. has a unique record of playing at four different schools in four years.

One of the Miami Dolphins' newest wide receivers explains his unusual path to the pros

TL;DR

Key points

New Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. explains his unique path to the NFL

Q&A

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