Coleman Aspires to Help Others On and Off the Field

Jabree Coleman is working hard to make a difference on the field, but South Carolina’s redshirt freshman running back has already made a difference off the field. The Philadelphia native is in his first season with the Gamecocks after transferring from Penn State and previously went on a pair of service trips to Ghana in West Africa.

“My high school was an African-centered high school,” Coleman said. “We had a stem program where we would try to help anybody we could. We took 3D printer water filters and other water filtration systems to a village. They didn’t have any clean water. They would drink directly from this pond or this swamp area, so we gave them some things that would clean out the water. We also went to a school and gave out some food there.

“I love to help people. When I make some money for myself, I want to eventually give back to lesser communities. Everybody isn’t born with the same things. Some people don’t have everything they need, so for the people that have more, why not help? I want to be that kind of person.”

Coleman said the trips had a big effect on him.

“It changed me greatly,” Coleman said. “It made me more grateful for everything. When I went to Africa and met those people, even though they didn’t have everything, they were always happy with anything they had. When we gave them the water filters, that’s something we take for granted here, and they were so happy.”

Coleman followed running backs coach Stan Drayton who came to South Carolina from Penn State last December.

“He made the decision to come here a lot easier,” Coleman said. “When I first hopped in the portal, he reached out to me and had me come down. When I first came down, it immediately felt like home. Everything around here was amazing.

“I feel like my strengths are my size, my vision, and my athleticism. I need to improve in the mental aspect of the game. The running back room is amazing with guys like Matt (Fuller), Christian (Clark), Isiah (Augustave), and Jawarren (Howell). Even the younger guys are doing well. They all compete. It’s really a family and a brotherhood there, and we’re working to make everybody better.”

In a competitive running back room, Coleman is excited to get the season started and see how he can make an impact.

“I want us to go out and win an SEC Championship and then a national championship,” Coleman said. “For myself, I just want to show everyone that I can be a great player. I just want to make a name for myself on top of winning a championship.”