Tennessee football has another head-scratching development with a projected star on its hands. After Nico Iamaleava’s transfer in the spring of 2025 and Boo Carter missing workouts and ultimately leaving in the middle of the season, now, it’s edge rusher transfer Chaz Coleman whose future is unclear.
Coleman, coming in from Penn State to follow defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, missed the back end of spring practices and the Orange and White Game. Then, when the team got together in Knoxville for summer workouts, he did not return to campus.
However, according to a report from Brent Hubbs of On3, Coleman has finally arrived on Rocky Top on Friday. While it’s the necessary next step to reintegrating himself with the program, there’s still work to be done. Hubbs noted that Coleman’s future with Tennessee “remains a mystery.”
More From RTI: Answering Tennessee Football’s Burning Questions Less Than 100 Days Until Kickoff
“Ultimately, Chaz is dealing with some things off the field, and he’s got to handle that and go through that process,” Vols head coach Josh 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.
