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Tennessee football edge rusher Chaz Coleman has not reported yet to the team's summer workouts, which began on May 25, a source confirmed to Knox News.
The source requested anonymity because UT's team activities are not open to media or the public.
Coleman, a prized Penn State transfer, missed most of spring practice for personal reasons, so his status has been a source of concern for the Vols. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel didn't offer much of an update during the SEC spring meetings in Miramar Beach, Florida, on May 27.
“Chaz has been dealing with some things, and we’re here to support him. We’ll continue to go through that process," Heupel said, essentially repeating his past comments about Coleman.
Coleman enrolled at Tennessee in January. He was rated a five-star transfer and the No. 1 edge rusher in the portal, according to 247Sports.
But Coleman missed most of spring practice because of what Heupel indicated were personal matters. However, Heupel said he’d be patient in hopes that Coleman would work through it and return to full-time activities with the team.
“Chaz is dealing with some things off the field. He’s got to handle that and go through that process," Heupel said on April 11 after UT’s Orange and White Spring Game. "We are here to help and support him in all of those ways and will continue to do that. But that’s ultimately the beginning part of his journey right now, that there’s some things that he’s got to work through.”
Heupel said Coleman was still "dealing with some things" during a Big Orange Caravan stop on April 28.
Coleman followed defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and two other assistant coaches from Penn State to Tennessee. The Vols are counting on him to be a disruptive playmaker in the 2026 season.
Coleman, a 6-foot-4, 250-pounder from Warren, Ohio, flashed elite talent as a Penn State freshman in the 2025 season in Knowles’ scheme. But he is still young and developing.
Coleman played nine games as a freshman but was limited by injuries late in the season. He had eight tackles, three tackles-for-loss, one sack, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He also drew exceptional grades from Pro Football Focus as a pass rusher. In 70 pass plays, he recorded 15 quarterback pressures.
Coleman's return is essential because of his talent and position. Joshua Josephs exhausted his eligibility and declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. And UT lost edge rushers Jordan Ross (LSU), Caleb Herring (South Carolina), Jayden Loftin (Wisconsin), Kellen Lindstrom (Missouri State) and Emmanuel Okoye (Cal) to the portal.
UT replaced them with Coleman and Tulane transfer Jordan Norman. Redshirt freshman Christian Gass and freshmen Zach Groves, Hezekiah Harris and Kedric Golston are also edge rushers.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Chaz Coleman update for Tennessee football, per source
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The source requested anonymity because UT's team activities are not open to media or the public.
Coleman, a prized Penn State transfer, missed most of spring practice for personal reasons, so his status has been a source of concern for the Vols. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel didn't offer much of an update during the SEC spring meetings in Miramar Beach, Florida, on May 27.
“Chaz has been dealing with some things, and we’re here to support him. We’ll continue to go through that process," Heupel said, essentially repeating his past comments about Coleman.
Coleman enrolled at Tennessee in January. He was rated a five-star transfer and the No. 1 edge rusher in the portal, according to 247Sports.
But Coleman missed most of spring practice because of what Heupel indicated were personal matters. However, Heupel said he’d be patient in hopes that Coleman would work through it and return to full-time activities with the team.
“Chaz is dealing with some things off the field. He’s got to handle that and go through that process," Heupel said on April 11 after UT’s Orange and White Spring Game. "We are here to help and support him in all of those ways and will continue to do that. But that’s ultimately the beginning part of his journey right now, that there’s some things that he’s got to work through.”
Heupel said Coleman was still "dealing with some things" during a Big Orange Caravan stop on April 28.
What Chaz Coleman's status means for Tennessee football
Coleman followed defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and two other assistant coaches from Penn State to Tennessee. The Vols are counting on him to be a disruptive playmaker in the 2026 season.
Coleman, a 6-foot-4, 250-pounder from Warren, Ohio, flashed elite talent as a Penn State freshman in the 2025 season in Knowles’ scheme. But he is still young and developing.
Coleman played nine games as a freshman but was limited by injuries late in the season. He had eight tackles, three tackles-for-loss, one sack, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He also drew exceptional grades from Pro Football Focus as a pass rusher. In 70 pass plays, he recorded 15 quarterback pressures.
Coleman's return is essential because of his talent and position. Joshua Josephs exhausted his eligibility and declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. And UT lost edge rushers Jordan Ross (LSU), Caleb Herring (South Carolina), Jayden Loftin (Wisconsin), Kellen Lindstrom (Missouri State) and Emmanuel Okoye (Cal) to the portal.
UT replaced them with Coleman and Tulane transfer Jordan Norman. Redshirt freshman Christian Gass and freshmen Zach Groves, Hezekiah Harris and Kedric Golston are also edge rushers.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Chaz Coleman update for Tennessee football, per source
Continue reading...
