Tavaris Coles is a wide receiver for Northern Illinois, standing 6'3" and weighing 185 pounds. Originally from Bessemer, Alabama, he attended McAdory High School before playing at the junior college level. In 2025 at Itawamba Community College, Coles recorded 385 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 33 receptions. He posted 80 yards on six catches against Mississippi Delta Community College on September 25, and had five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown against Holmes Community College. Coles exceeded 50 receiving yards in five of eight games that season. He returns to the Huskies as a junior.