Douglas M. Coleman III Bio
Douglas M. Coleman III is an American professional football safety. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He has been a member of the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL), and the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Early Life and Background
Douglas M. Coleman III was born on June 28, 1998, in Zachary, Louisiana. He grew up in the same community where he would later become a celebrated high school athlete. Zachary is a small city located east of Baton Rouge, and it provided the setting for the early development of his football career.
Coleman attended Zachary High School, where he played football as both a wide receiver and a defensive back. During his senior year, he caught 62 passes for 1,482 yards and 15 touchdowns, demonstrating the playmaking ability that would later define his professional career. His versatility on both sides of the ball made him one of the more intriguing prospects in his recruiting class.
Path to Professional Football
Following his standout senior season at Zachary High School, Coleman committed to Texas Tech University, where he joined the Red Raiders football program. He spent the 2016 through 2019 seasons developing his skills at the collegiate level, gradually evolving from a young contributor into one of the most respected defensive backs in the Big 12 Conference.
Coleman’s progression at Texas Tech showcased his adaptability and football intelligence. After spending his early college years working primarily as a nickelback, he transitioned to the safety position during his senior campaign. This positional change allowed him to maximize his range, ball skills, and field awareness, leading to widespread recognition across the conference.
Douglas M. Coleman III Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Douglas M. Coleman III played college football at Texas Tech from 2016 to 2019, lining up as a defensive back for the Red Raiders. He spent the majority of his first three seasons at nickelback before converting to safety in his final year. As a freshman in 2016, he appeared in 11 games with three starts, recording 26 tackles, one sack, one interception, six pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, earning Athlon Sports second-team freshmen All-Big 12 Conference honors.
In 2017, Coleman played in 12 games with four starts and tallied 22 tackles, one interception, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He appeared in 12 games with six starts in 2018, finishing with 30 tackles, one interception, and seven pass breakups. His senior season in 2019 marked his emergence as a premier Big 12 defender, as he started all 12 games at safety and recorded 63 tackles, eight interceptions, and two pass breakups, earning first-team All-Big 12 recognition.
Denver Broncos (2020)
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Douglas M. Coleman III signed with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League on April 29, 2020. His opportunity came as an undrafted free agent, a path that often demands perseverance and patience. Coleman competed for a roster spot throughout training camp and the preseason.
His time with the Broncos proved brief. He was released by the team on September 5, 2020, just days before the regular season opener. Despite the short stay, the experience provided Coleman with his first taste of life in an NFL organization and a clearer sense of what was required to succeed at the highest level.
Ottawa Redblacks (2021–2023)
Douglas M. Coleman III signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League on October 11, 2021, opening a new chapter of his professional career. He was moved to the practice roster on October 19 and did not appear in any games for the Redblacks during the 2021 season. He signed a futures contract on November 20, 2021, committing his future to the organization.
Coleman was released by the Redblacks on June 5, 2022, and signed to the practice roster on June 13. He transitioned to linebacker in 2022 and was transferred between the practice roster, active roster, and injured reserve several times during the season. He played in five games, all starts, in 2022, totaling 18 tackles on defense and one sack. In 2023, Coleman was named to the CFL’s Week 4 Honour Roll at linebacker, and also the monthly Honour Roll for June. He appeared in 17 games, all starts, in 2023, recording 60 tackles on defense, four sacks, three interceptions, one interception return touchdown, and one fumble return touchdown.
Chicago Bears (2024–Present)
Douglas M. Coleman III signed with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League on January 10, 2024, returning to the NFL after his development in the CFL. His signing added depth and experience to the Bears’ secondary. The reunion with the NFL marked a significant milestone in a professional journey that had taken him across two leagues and multiple countries.
During a preseason game on August 22, 2024, against the Kansas City Chiefs, Coleman was injured on the first play of the third quarter. After making a tackle on wide receiver Cornell Powell, he was unable to move any of his limbs. As both teams gathered around him, he was placed on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital. Bears coach Matt Eberflus stated that Coleman had movement in his limbs following the game, and he was released from the hospital and returned to Chicago the next day. He was waived with an injury designation on August 24, 2024, and reverted to injured reserve on August 28, 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
Coleman’s first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2019 stands as one of the defining achievements of his career, reflecting a senior season in which he recorded eight interceptions for the Red Raiders. His subsequent move to the Canadian Football League and later return to the NFL through the Chicago Bears demonstrate a level of resilience and persistence uncommon in professional sports.
Douglas M. Coleman III Career Highlights
College and Professional Highlights
Across his four seasons at Texas Tech, Douglas M. Coleman III built a reputation as one of the most consistent defensive backs in the Big 12 Conference. His 2019 campaign stands as the most decorated, with 63 tackles, eight interceptions, and two pass breakups earning him first-team All-Big 12 honors. He finished his college career as a playmaker in coverage and a reliable tackler in the run game.
In the CFL with the Ottawa Redblacks, Coleman appeared in 22 total games across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, with 22 starts. His 2023 campaign was his most productive, with 60 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, one interception return touchdown, and one fumble return touchdown, plus selections to both the Week 4 Honour Roll and the June monthly Honour Roll at linebacker.
Other Performances
Coleman’s transition from cornerback-nickelback to safety at Texas Tech, and later to linebacker in the CFL, illustrates the positional flexibility that has defined his professional career. His ability to contribute on special teams, defense, and in multiple alignments has made him a valuable depth piece at both the NFL and CFL levels.
Douglas M. Coleman III Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Douglas M. Coleman III grew up in Zachary, Louisiana, the same community where he attended Zachary High School. Limited public information is available regarding his parents or extended family background, though his upbringing in Zachary played a clear role in shaping his athletic foundation.
Personal Life
Douglas M. Coleman III has kept much of his personal life private, with no public details available regarding a spouse, partner, or children. His professional focus and the demands of moving between the NFL and CFL have characterized his adult years.
2025 Season Outlook
Douglas M. Coleman III enters 2025 continuing his tenure with the Chicago Bears after being placed on injured reserve in late August 2024. The 2025 season represents an opportunity to return to full health and re-establish himself within the Bears’ defensive backfield. His prior experience as a safety at Texas Tech aligns with the position he occupied when he signed with the team in January 2024.
As the Bears build their secondary for the upcoming campaign, Coleman’s versatility, coverage instincts, and tackling ability remain valuable assets. The combination of his NFL preseason experience and his extensive playing time in the CFL provides him with a broad competitive foundation heading into the new season.
The broader outlook for Coleman in 2025 centers on his recovery from the August 2024 injury, his ability to compete for a roster spot, and his potential role within the defensive rotation. His career arc, from undrafted free agent in 2020 to established professional across two major leagues, reflects a player who has consistently found ways to extend his playing career.