As Tennessee football is set to begin its slate of summer workouts, a key piece of the defense is seemingly not in Knoxville. According to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos, Coleman has yet to report to campus for ‘voluntary’ workouts.
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.
Tennessee EDGE Chaz Coleman has yet to report to Knoxville for summer workouts, sources tell @Clowfb and me for @On3. Voluntary workouts began earlier this week.
AdvertisementJosh Heupel: “Chaz has been dealing with some things, and we’re here to support him. We’ll continue to go through… pic.twitter.com/gTTbmkMRYE
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) May 27, 2026
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“Ultimately, Chaz is dealing with some things off the field, and he’s got to handle that and go through that process,” Heupel said after the Orange and White Game. “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.
Other pieces Tennessee may rely on at the LEO position if Coleman does not play a factor include Tulane transfer Jordan Norman, redshirt-freshman Christian Gass and a number of true freshmen, including Zach Groves, Hezekiah Harris and CJ Edwards.
