Josh Heupel picked up his biggest win of the transfer portal cycle so far when the Tennessee Volunteers received a commitment and signature from former Penn State EDGE rusher Chaz Coleman on Saturday afternoon. The Vols beat out Ohio State, LSU, and South Carolina for the highly-touted prospect, and closed the deal with an in-home visit with Coleman on Saturday.
Coleman will reunite with several pieces from the Nittany Lions’ program in Knoxville. He’ll continue to play under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles with the help of co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter. The Ohio native will also continue playing with defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam and linebacker Amare Campbell, both of whom have committed to Tennessee in the past two days.
It’s hard to overexplain just how important Coleman’s addition is. Not only is he a game-changing player with room to grow and get better, but he also fills a need at the EDGE position after the departures of Caleb Herring and Jordan Ross through the portal.
Despite missing some time during his true freshman season, Coleman still 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. He didn’t start any games, but still proved his developing talent nonetheless.
Coleman’s addition is a massive win for Heupel, Knowles, and the Vols’ coaching staff. He’ll be an immediate impact player for Tennessee.
More From RTI: Tennessee Football Lands Commitment From Elite Defensive Portal Target
Here’s a look at some of the top reactions on social media after the news came down on Saturday:
Penn State EDGE Chaz Coleman has committed to the Vols.
How do you feel about Tennessee’s transfer efforts so far?
➡️ https://t.co/LYXTmSp1J0 pic.twitter.com/xU2aYIarha
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 10, 2026
Tennessee is getting a good one in Chaz Coleman.
Freak athlete with raw talent and plenty of upside
Reunites with Amare Campbell, Jim Knowles, and Anthony Poindexter.pic.twitter.com/DCMGlfW8EU
— Moore College Football (@Moore_CFB) January 10, 2026
Former Penn State EDGE Chaz Coleman has committed to Tennessee, per @Hayesfawcett3
⭐️ Coleman Led ALL Freshman in Pass-Rush Grade Last Season (90.3) pic.twitter.com/7rt1hhlPOr
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 10, 2026
Amare Campbell forced fumble and a Chaz Coleman recovery. Both are now at Rocky Top. pic.twitter.com/qTTVncI8xn
— Kerry Williams (@kerrywilliams_) January 10, 2026
I could care less about the basketball team losing. We just got Chaz Coleman. Our defense is back #GBO https://t.co/7OLlAQvXsb
— Austin (@ajstilestv) January 10, 2026
Penn State transfer EDGE Chaz Coleman has committed to the Tennessee Volunteers!
The No. 1 edge rusher in the transfer portal, a dynamic true freshman pass rusher with serious upside, is heading to Rocky Top to join forces with DC Jim Knowles. pic.twitter.com/NNLxmMjM1M
— VolsMuse (@VolsMuse) January 10, 2026
Chaz Coleman is a Vol. pic.twitter.com/9PAs1CtGv1
— Dylan Holt (@DylanHolt_) January 10, 2026
Chaz Coleman is a massive, MASSIVE win for Josh Heupel and Jim Knowles.
Addressing the defense was the biggest need for Tennessee after this season and losses to the portal, and this was exactly what the Vols needed.
Still got more work to do, but this is a W 🍊
— Tennessee Faithful (@TNFaithful) January 10, 2026
Former Penn State edge transfer Chaz Coleman has committed to Tennessee
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) January 10, 2026
Chaz Coleman
Xavier Gilliam
Amare CampbellVols are picking it up pic.twitter.com/6xIRxFlUVS
— Austin Brown (@Austin_Vols) January 10, 2026
Xavier Gilliam and Amare Campbell came in CLUTCH helping lock down Chaz Coleman
They may all be from Penn State, but these guys are LOCKED IN on making this defense better than last year
It felt like a rough start for the Vols in the Transfer Portal, but things are starting to… pic.twitter.com/spDsYLnWQT
— Vol Scoops (@VolScoops) January 10, 2026
Tennessee rips Chaz Coleman right out of Ohio State’s arms! Wow https://t.co/agxutsj3Ub
— LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) January 10, 2026
UPDATE: Tennessee has now also signed former Penn State safety Dejuan Lane on Saturday, less than an hour after the Coleman news was released. Here are a few of the reactions to Lane’s addition to the Tennessee roster:
Make that a FOURTH Penn State defender following Jim Knowles to Tennessee.
Safety Dejuan Lane is in the boat.
➡️ https://t.co/Vwwl1ujor0 pic.twitter.com/gg7QWLFAq9
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 10, 2026
Xavier Gilliam (@XavierGilliam_) was the first Penn State transfer to commit to Tennessee.
He immediately hopped on Twitter and called his shot on Dejuan Lane, Amare Campbell, and Chaz Coleman.
Tennessee has landed all four of the Penn State transfers. #GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/L9QSuX1mVq
— Jake! (@JakeAndBall) January 10, 2026
Former Penn State standout safety Dejuan Lane is coming to ROCKY TOP! 🍊🔥
The 6’2″ 205lb playmaker who racked up tackles, TFLs & started games for the Nittany Lions is joining the Vols secondary. Reuniting with Coach Poindexter & Knowles
Per: @mzenitz pic.twitter.com/wP1RROwcle
— VolsMuse (@VolsMuse) January 10, 2026
