FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots claimed rookie cornerback Justin Coleman on waivers from the Minnesota Vikings in early September, and after waiving him one day later, hoped to bring him back to the practice squad. But Coleman ended up signing with the Seahawks practice squad instead.

To entice Coleman (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) back to New England, the Patriots then offered to sign him to their 53-man roster on Sept. 9. So Coleman returned and was inactive for the season-opener Thursday night.

Here are eight things to know about Coleman:

1. In college at Tennessee, he started all 25 games over his final two seasons, tying for fourth in the SEC in his senior season with four interceptions. Overall, he appeared in 48 games with 37 starts.

2. He was the first true freshman to start at defensive back for Tennessee since Eric Berry in 2007.

3. He has a background in track and field from Brunswick (Ga.) High School; as a junior he finished second in the 4-A state championship 300-meter hurdles and fifth in the 110-meter hurdles.

4. Went undrafted despite some analysts projecting him in the fifth-to-sixth-round range, signing with the Vikings as a free agent after the draft. "I enjoyed my experience there; it was a family-like atmosphere. I wouldn’t trade it for anything," he said.

5. At the NFL combine, he tested among the best at his position with a 6.61 time in the 3-cone drill, 20 repetitions on the bench press, a 3.98 time in the 20-yard shuttle, and an 11.21 time in the 60-yard shuttle. He ran a 4.53 time in the 40-yard dash.

6. Describing himself as a player, he said, "I'm more of an aggressive, fundamental-type guy. Very technical."

7. Coleman will wear No. 22 in New England. He was No. 27 at Tennessee.

8. Coleman is on Twitter at @JustinColeman27.