As Tennessee football returns to campus for summer workouts, all eyes are on the status of prized edge rusher transfer Chaz Coleman. After missing the back end of spring camp, he was late to arrive for the workouts, sparking buzz around whether he’ll be with the team at all this year.
That’s what was on the docket when an insider for VolQuest, Austin Price, joined Josh and Swain on 99.1 The Sports Animal. During his appearance, Price gave his updated thoughts on the Coleman saga.
“He has to want to be here,” Price said. “I know he’s back in town, but to me, that’s just him checking boxes on his end. Tennessee is certainly checking boxes on their end. It does not feel like he’ll be a part of this program come August.”
Co-host Josh Ward followed up to clarify Price’s comments. He directly asked: Your expectation right now is that Chaz Coleman will not play football for Tennessee this fall?
“That is correct,” Price said. “I mean, could it change? Sure. But nothing about this screams he will. Everything screams he won’t, and that’s kind of where we’re at.”
“It does not feel like he’ll be a part of this program come August.”
🎥 @AustinPriceless discussed the latest with Tennessee edge rusher Chaz Coleman today on @JoshandSwain. pic.twitter.com/Ywz62NeIWP
— Josh Ward (@Josh_Ward) June 3, 2026
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This comes after co-host of the RTI Low-Down and college sports insider, Chris Low, gave his thoughts on the podcast. He was not only concerned about his status with the team, but even if it did work out, how physically ready Coleman would be after so much missed time.
Low also gave insight into the finances of the situation and what it’d mean for Tennessee.
“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.”
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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.
