As Tennessee football returns to campus for summer workouts, all eyes are on the participation, or lack thereof, from edge rusher Chaz Coleman. The Vols made a push for him in the transfer portal this offseason and ultimately landed his talents out of Penn State. However, he missed the back end of spring practice and didn’t show up for summer workouts until a few days had passed.
With rumors swirling about his availability for the upcoming season, college football insider and co-host of the RTI: Low-Down, Chris Low, revealed what he’s heard surrounding the edge rusher’s status.
“I still think it’s very, very questionable whether he plays this fall for Tennessee or not,” Low said. “I know he’s in town. I’m not sure what his plans are for tomorrow. They have workouts again. Will he be there? I know they’ve met, they’ve talked.
“But as little as he’s done, Bob, both in spring practice and offseason workouts, let’s say he did play, let’s say this thing works out, and for the kid’s sake, I hope it does, how ready will he be to play come preseason camp in August, when you kick it off there in early September? He hasn’t done anything.
“Football is a developmental sport, man. You have got to be ready year-round. You’ve got to condition, you’ve got to get stronger. I don’t know physically if he’s even ready right now to play at the level they will need him to play. He certainly doesn’t have the prep work in.”
More From RTI: Tennessee Football Blue Chip Recruiting Target Picks SEC Foe Despite Recent Official Visit to Knoxville
With how highly sought-after Coleman was in the portal, it also meant he commanded a big NIL package to land his talents. Different numbers have been thrown around for how much Coleman’s deal is worth and how much UT has paid, but Low said he’s heard the number to be around $2 million, though he’s only been paid about $200,000 to this point, and adjustments were made after the spring.
“I think right around $2 million,” Low said. “I think he was going to go to Ohio State, and Tennessee upped the ante to get him to come. I think it’s much closer to two than it is to anything else.
“My understanding is they already paid him about maybe $200,000, between $200-250,000, is what they paid him. I think there was an adjustment after the issues in spring. The biggest chunk of his money will not come until later this year after the season, which is good for Tennessee that they’re able to get that. So, it’s not like they’ve wasted a million on him or given him most of his money to this point.”
More From RTI: Tennessee Football’s First Three Games Officially Have Set Kickoff Times. Here’s What They are.
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.
As a transfer, Coleman was considered the No. 17 player in the portal class and No. 3 edge rusher by 247. Out of high school, the site considered Coleman a four-star, the No. 27 edge rusher in the 2025 class and the No. 10 player out of Ohio. He is from Warren, Ohio, where he played for Harding High School.
Other pieces Tennessee may rely on at the LEO position include Tulane transfer Jordan Norman, redshirt-freshman Christian Gass and a number of true freshmen, including Zach Groves, Hezekiah Harris and CJ Edwards.
