Tennessee football is off at the moment, but summer workouts are set to begin in the near future. When the Vols return to Knoxville to work with new strength coach Derek Owings, one big question remains. What is the status of Penn State transfer edge rusher Chaz Coleman?
On Wednesday’s edition of Josh and Swain on 99.1 The Sports Animal, Vols insider Austin Price weighed in. Despite Coleman missing portions of spring camp, he was optimistic he’d be with the team for the start of this session.
“The eyes will be on Chaz Coleman, Josh, next week when Tennessee reconvienes for the start of summer workouts,” Price said. “Everybody is still out and about doing their own things. They’ll get in town late this weekend, and then summer workouts with Derek Owings will begin early next week.
“As we sit here at 1:48 on a Wednesday, I’ll just be shocked if he’s not back out there. I think there’s been some positive momentum there behind the scenes for the last several weeks. So, I’m going with he’s going to be there next week. Maybe I’ll be shocked, but that’s where I’m going as we sit here on Wednesday at 1:48 eastern.”
Will Chaz Coleman be with Tennessee’s football team when summer workouts begin early next week?@AustinPriceless weighed in during @JoshandSwain on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/XVlA9ma4yA
— Josh Ward (@Josh_Ward) May 21, 2026
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Coleman was one of the headliners in the recent transfer portal class for the Vols. He followed his Penn State defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, to Knoxville after entering the portal following his freshman season with the Nittany Lions.
However, he did not attend some practices in the spring slate and was not in attendance for the annual Orange and White Game to cap off spring camp. After the scrimmage, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel updated his status.
“Ultimately, Chaz is dealing with some things off the field, and he’s got to handle that and go through that process,” Heupel said. “We’re 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. Some things he has to work through.”
In his lone year in Happy Valley, Coleman produced eight tackles, three tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, a sack and a forced fumble. In nine appearances, he led all FBS freshmen in pass-rush grade last season at 90.3, according to PFF.
Coleman is from Warren, Ohio, where he played for Harding High School. The Vols were reported to be in a battle with Ohio State for his talents in the portal. As a recruit, Coleman ranked as a four-star recruit and No. 27 edge rusher in the cycle, according to 247.
