Michigan State HC Mel Tucker Comments On Keon Coleman's Debut With Florida State

Coleman's former head coach at Michigan State offers his take on his first game with the Seminoles.

Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman lit Orlando on fire during his debut with the program on Sunday night. After transferring in from Michigan State over the summer, Coleman gave Seminole fans a large glimpse of the impact he's hoping to make on the team throughout the 2023 season.

Coleman came away with a team-high nine catches for 122 yards and three touchdown grabs. The receiving yards and touchdown catches were a Florida State record for a wide receiver in their debut.

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The Louisiana native opened the scoring with a 40-yard touchdown after catching a slant over the middle and breaking two tackles. He pulled down a fade in the end zone over an LSU defender to tie the game up in the second quarter. Coleman's final score in the fourth quarter put Florida State up by double-digits and essentially put the game on ice.

For his efforts, he was among three Seminoles honored as ACC Players of the Week, joining quarterback Jordan Travis and offensive lineman Bless Harris. Coleman also got the opportunity to break the first rock of the season in the locker room following the game.

On Monday, Coleman's former head coach at Michigan State, Mel Tucker, was asked about his performance for the Seminoles. Tucker had positive things to say about the electric wide receiver.

"I'm always pulling for him," Tucker said on Monday. "I'm very close with him, I recruited him myself. I'm close with he and his family so I was really, really excited for him. I was really happy for him."

Michigan State Head Coach Mel Tucker commented on Keon Coleman’s debut with #FSU during his press conference on Monday.

“I’m close with he and his family so I was really, really excited for him.” #Noles pic.twitter.com/aio9mF8MvH

— Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG) September 5, 2023

Prior to transferring to Florida State, Coleman spent two seasons at Michigan State after signing with the program in 2021. He led the Spartans in receiving last year, catching 58 passes for 798 yards and seven touchdowns while being named Third-Team All-Big Ten.

After his first game action with the Seminoles, Coleman expressed his thankfulness for the opportunity that he has in Tallahassee.

"Really just being thankful for the opportunity; Coach saying yes to me, coming to a new school after the transfer portal, and believing in me," Coleman said after the win against LSU. "I'm grateful for my teammates, getting to show them the hard work that we have been putting in the whole summer is paying off and getting to show a glimpse of what I can do, and not only me, just what our whole receiver room and the rest of the team can do."

Head coach Mike Norvell was quick to respond to the redshirt junior.

"I'm grateful for you saying yes, too," Norvell stated.

Coleman and the Seminoles return to action on Saturday night against Southern Miss in their home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on the ACC Network.

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