One of the biggest non-quarterback questions facing the Tennessee Vols in 2026 concerns the pass rush.

Penn State transfer edge Chaz Coleman was expected to be the Vols’ top pass rusher, but he was medically disqualified from the program earlier this summer and won’t be part of the team this fall.

Without Coleman, the Vols will look to Tulane edge transfer Jordan Norman to fill that void. Beyond Norman, there aren’t a lot of proven pass rushing options.

Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Knowles admitted on Tuesday while speaking with reporters that the pass rush is a question mark entering the season.

“Time will tell with the pass rush,” said Knowles. “Because you’re never hitting the quarterback — or trying not to get close to the quarterback — when you’re in spring or fall camp, a lot of these things with the pass rush you don’t see until you get to a game.

“It’s a question mark, and time will tell how that goes. But we need to have other tools in the toolbox to create pass rush if need be, and we’ll have that.”

Jim Knowles isn’t panicked over the uncertainty with Tennessee’s pass rush

While Knowles admits that the pass rush is a question mark, he certainly doesn’t seem panicked in any way. Knowles loves the depth the Vols have at linebacker, and it’s possible he could use some of that depth to rush the passer, depending on who steps up during camp.

Senior linebacker Arion Carter, for example, hinted last month that he could be used on the edge some this season.

“We’re going to play the guys that are the best players,” said Knowles. “It’s my job to get them in positions where they can succeed. So we’re planning for all of those scenarios to see who really develops in camp.”

VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs suggested earlier this summer that Knowles could also use some bigger defensive ends on the edge.

“The thing that stood out a little bit to me as well is that some defensive ends dropped some weight,” said Hubbs. “Not a ton, but they dropped some pounds. And that was obviously by design. I think that tells you a lot about what Jim Knowles is going to do with those defensive ends. I think he’s going to play two big defensive ends a lot on the football field at the same time, and I think he wanted to try to maximize their speed and power, and have them drop a little bit of weight.

“You saw some guys drop three or four or five pounds at the defensive end position. Jordan Norman, the transfer from Tulane, being one of them. And I think that’s to try to maximize his ability off the edge, along with some other guys like Mariyon Dye and Tyree Weathersby as well.”

Norman went from 270 pounds to 265 pounds. Mariyon Dye went from 272 pounds to 270 pounds. Tyree Weathersby went from 272 pounds to 268 pounds. Freshman Breeze Carter went from 268 pounds to 255 pounds.

Knowles’ quote about the pass rush being a “question mark” may sound alarming to Vols fans, but that’s one of those quotes where you need to hear it to get the full context. Again, Knowles didn’t seem worried. Instead, he was just being honest about where things currently stand. More importantly, though, he also sounded confident that he’ll have an effective plan to get to the quarterback this fall.