The 2025 season just came to a close, but that won’t stop fans and the media from looking ahead to next year. As far as Tennessee football, there has been some major overhauling to some of the coaching staff and personnel.
In On3’s ‘way-too-early’ top 100 players for the 2026 season list, two of those UT players made the cut. Chaz Coleman, an edge rusher transfer from Penn State, clocked in at No. 53 on the list. Returning slot receiver Braylon Staley just made the cut at No. 99.
Coleman’s position is the seventh-highest of any player on the list who is listed as an ‘EDGE’. He comes in behind No. 3 Dylan Stewart (South Carolina), No. 5 Colin Simmons (Texas), No. 19 Matayo Uiagalelei (Oregon), No. 28 Princewill Umanmielen (LSU), No. 37 Teitum Tuioti (Oregon) and No. 43 Yhonzae Pierre (Alabama).
Last season, as a true freshman, Coleman recorded eight tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. On PFF, he graded at a very strong 81.1 mark on the season.
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Staley’s position on the list is No. 11 among receivers. He trails No. 1 Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), No. 4 Malachi Toney (Miami), No. 10 Cam Coleman (Texas), No. 32 Duce Robinson (Florida State), No. 33 Mario Craver (Texas A&M), No. 49 Omar Cooper (Indiana), No. 50 KJ Duff (Rutgers), No. 63 Isaiah Sategna (Oklahoma), No. 70 Charlie Becker (Indiana) and No. 93 Amare Thomas (Houston).
Staley is coming off his redshirt-freshman season in which he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year. He produced 68 receptions for 837 yards and six touchdowns on the year. Now, he’s signed a new deal to return as the starter.
The 2026 season will begin on Sept. 5 with a home game against Furman. Then, the Vols hit the road for a test against Georgia Tech on Sept. 12. The first SEC game of the slate is slotted on Sept. 26 against Texas at home.
