Former Cal Poly receiver Chris Coleman signs with the Miami Dolphins

Matthew Ho
·1 min read

Former Cal Poly receiver Chris Coleman joined the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on Sunday morning.

“Tears of joy and fulfillment!” Coleman said after the signing. “It just felt really good to close one chapter and open another.”

Coleman was the top pass catcher last season, leading the team with 60 receptions and 939 yards as part of an offense that led the Big Sky in passing yards per game (333) and was top four in completions (259) and touchdowns (25).

In 2022, Coleman compiled 100 or more receiving yards in five games and caught the ball seven or more times in four different games.

The new Dolphins receiver’s strong performance in the 2022 season earned him a Big Sky Honorable Mention award.

Cal Poly’s Chris Coleman (6) tries to elude Prince Washington (3) and Gavin Davis Smith (27) in the Mustangs’ 49-21 loss to Sacramento State at Alex G. Spanos Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.
Cal Poly’s Chris Coleman (6) tries to elude Prince Washington (3) and Gavin Davis Smith (27) in the Mustangs’ 49-21 loss to Sacramento State at Alex G. Spanos Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.

The Bakersfield native came to an agreement with the Dolphins at the end of the fifth round of the NFL draft. If any team wanted to add Coleman, they would need to draft him or else Coleman would sign with the Dolphins after the draft ended.

Coleman is the first Cal Poly football player to play in the NFL in three years. The last player to reach the league was another former receiver J.J. Koski, who played for the Rams after the 2020 NFL Draft.

Coleman will look to make an impact at the next level with his elusive route running and ability to make plays after the catch.