Michigan State became the latest program to offer Providence Catholic High School standout Ben Coleman, but the bigger story for Iowans is who else is chasing him. According to Yahoo Sports, Iowa, Iowa State, Illinois, Georgia Tech and Kentucky are all pursuing the four-star offensive lineman from the class of 2028.
The 6-foot-4, 285-pound blocker from New Lenox, Illinois announced the offer from Spartans coach Pat Fitzgerald and offensive line coach Nick Tabacca, Yahoo Sports reported on October 17. His recruitment remains wide open with dozens of schools in the mix.
Who Is Ben Coleman?
Coleman lines up as a hybrid tight end and sixth blocker for Providence Catholic, a role that shows off both his power and his mobility. Yahoo Sports described him as a prospect who overwhelms defenders at the point of attack and also has soft enough hands to catch passes in the flat.
The recruiting sites like what they see. Per 247Sports, Coleman is a four-star recruit ranked No. 234 nationally, No. 26 among offensive linemen and No. 12 in the state of Illinois. His composite score of 0.8933 places him at No. 365 nationally and No. 36 among offensive linemen in the 2028 class.
The comparison being floated is Darnell Washington of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a massive tight end who moves better than his frame suggests. Coleman's ability to line up inline and still threaten as a receiver gives coaches flexibility most line prospects cannot offer.
Why This Matters for Iowa and Iowa State
For Hawkeyes fans, the name of the game in Iowa City has always been line play. Kirk Ferentz built his program on the trenches, and offensive line development remains the program's calling card. A prospect like Coleman fits the mold Iowa has recruited for three decades: big, mean and mobile.
Iowa State offers a different pitch under Matt Campbell, one built on player development and turning underrated Midwest prospects into NFL draft picks. Landing a top-15 Illinois prospect would be a statement win for the Cyclones in fertile recruiting territory just south of the border.
Both in-state programs are listed among Coleman's suitors, according to Yahoo Sports. The Only Colors reported that Coleman holds 15 offers from programs including Notre Dame, Oregon, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin and Vanderbilt, alongside Iowa and Iowa State. That list will only grow as his junior season continues.
What the Michigan State Offer Signals
Fitzgerald's interest is no accident. The former Northwestern coach knows the Big Ten is won up front, and Yahoo Sports noted that Michigan State has put real resources into its offensive line, with former center Matt Gulbin drafted last year and current center Trent Fraley on the Rimington Trophy watch list this season.
USA Today also reported that the Spartans hosted another four-star Illinois offensive tackle, Kajus Muralis, on a visit this month, showing Fitzgerald is making the Chicagoland area a recruiting priority.
The Battle for Chicagoland Talent
Illinois high school football has become prime recruiting ground for Big Ten programs, and Iowa has a long history of pulling talent from the Chicago area. Coleman, ranked No. 15 in Illinois by the composite, is exactly the kind of prospect that decides whether a recruiting class is good or great.
With nearly two years before Coleman can sign a national letter of intent, the competition is just beginning. Official visits, spring camps and the ever-present transfer of coaching relationships will all shape where he lands.
For Iowa fans tracking the Hawkeyes' efforts to reload the line after years of producing NFL talent, and for Iowa State supporters watching Campbell's Cyclones compete with the sport's blue bloods, Coleman is a name to remember through the 2026 and 2027 cycles.
FAQ
Who is Ben Coleman?
Ben Coleman is a four-star offensive lineman in the 2028 recruiting class who plays hybrid tight end and sixth blocker for Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Illinois.
Is Iowa recruiting Ben Coleman?
Yes. According to Yahoo Sports, Iowa and Iowa State are both among the programs pursuing Coleman, along with Michigan State, Illinois, Georgia Tech, Kentucky and many others.
How is Ben Coleman ranked?
Per 247Sports, Coleman ranks No. 234 nationally with a rating of 90. The composite rankings place him at No. 365 nationally and No. 15 in Illinois.
When can Ben Coleman commit?
Coleman is in the 2028 class, so he can sign a national letter of intent in late 2027 during his senior season.