When Tennessee hired Jim Knowles away from Penn State to fill its vacant defensive coordinator position, one of the natural questions was whether any Nittany Lions players would be persuaded into coming to Rocky Top with him. Penn State is going through massive changes of its own with the hiring of Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, and several defensive players who played for Knowles are looking for a new home.
The name at the top of that list is star EDGE rusher Chaz Coleman. The 6-foot-4 lineman was a standout player for the Nittany Lions during his true freshman season in 2025. Despite missing some time with an injury in November, he still proved to be an impact player. Coleman led all freshman EDGE rushers with a 90.6 pass rush grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
With the transfer portal officially opening up on Friday, we now have some new intel around Coleman’s recruitment. According to a report from On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos, Tennessee is in the mix. The Vols don’t appear to be the favorite, but at least look to have a seat at the table as Coleman weighs his options.
“Ohio State continues to be the school to keep tabs on in Chaz Coleman’s transfer portal process, sources tell On3,” Nakos writes. “Coleman is a Warren, Ohio native. He has three years of eligibility remaining and his raw talent makes him one of the top players entering the portal. Tennessee is another school to watch.”
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Coleman played in nine games with the Nittany Lions while racking up eight tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and one pass breakup. In October, Coleman was named to On3’s 2025 Midseason True Freshman All-American Team. On3’s Charles Power tagged him as “one of the most dynamic true freshman pass rushers in college football” through that point in the season, and highlighted his athleticism and flexibility as key traits on the field.
“He shows outstanding first-step quickness and the ability to bend naturally around the edge, traits that have allowed him to make an early impact despite not enrolling until the summer,” Power wrote.
Coleman put together his best game in the Nittany Lions’ loss to Ohio State, earning a 90.6 game grade from PFF.
Jim Knowles was hired at Tennessee in December as the Vols’ next defensive coordinator following the firing of Tim Banks. Knowles spent the 2025 season with Penn State, but was previously on the Ohio State staff for three years and helped orchestrate the Buckeyes’ national championship-winning defense in 2024. According to reports from VolQuest’s Austin Price, Tennessee has hired Penn State’s Anthony Poindexter as the program’s new safeties coach.
It’s still to be seen where Tennessee decides to spend its money in the transfer portal, and Coleman is clearly a prospect who will likely command a big price tag because of his talent and ability. But with Knowles’ previous relationship with him at Penn State, perhaps Tennessee can make a darkhorse run at the former Nittany Lion and keep him away from Ohio State.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee recruiting coverage with the transfer portal officially open.
