‘Tennessee doesn’t want to kick him off the team’ – Insider details the concerns surrounding Vols transfer addition Chaz Coleman
The Tennessee Vols made a big-time addition earlier this offseason by landing Penn State Nittany Lions transfer EDGE Chaz Coleman, a dynamic athlete who can be a gamechanger as a pass rusher in the SEC.
One of the Tennessee Vols’ biggest additions this offseason was easily Penn State Nittany Lions transfer edge Chaz Coleman, a player with limitless upside.
Coleman, a former four-star recruit from Ohio, spent his true freshman season at Penn State before transferring to Tennessee to join new Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who served as the Nittany Lions’ defensive coordinator in 2025.
“He’s explosive,” said Knowles of Coleman earlier this offseason. “He is difficult to block. He has a little bit of an invisible cloak, where he can twist, turn, and beat guys one on one. He has great initial quickness off the ball. So he’s a guy that can create havoc for an offense and really creates some matchup issues.”
Coleman, who is still a young player (he turned 19 last December), can be a gamechanger for the Volunteers with his ability to rush the quarterback. But he’s had an uneven spring, which has led to some questions about his status with the program.
Insider addresses concerns with Vols EDGE Chaz Coleman
Longtime Vols insider Tony Basilio shared some insight on Coleman’s issues on Wednesday.
According to Basilio, who noted that UT is paying Coleman around $3.5 million, the former Penn State EDGE isn’t handling being far away from home very well.
“Knoxville is the furthest away from home he’s ever been, and he’s not handling it well,” wrote Basilio. “I was told by a source close to the family that Coleman is a homebody who’s excellent once he locks in on something but sometimes takes a while to get locked in.”
Basilio added that he doesn’t believe this is a “Boo Carter situation” and that Tennessee doesn’t want to kick Coleman off the team.
“Tennessee doesn’t want to kick him off the team for his recent hiccups but wants to figure out a way to accommodate him,” noted Basilio. “They’ve been in contact with family members, and it’s possible one of his siblings could join him soon in Knoxville.”
It’s easy to forget that even though players like Coleman are earning millions, they’re still young athletes who are very much developing into young men. College athletes aren’t finished products (not that any of us are, but it’s especially true for 18-24 year olds).
I can’t imagine what it’s like to move far away from home at that age while facing the pressure of trying to live up to a $3.5 million paycheck. No one can understand what that’s like unless you’ve been in that situation (which is why it’s ridiculous for anyone who hasn’t been in that situation to tell an athlete how they should or shouldn’t handle things).
It’s also important to remember that every young athlete is facing their own unique situation, and they all handle things differently.
Hopefully Coleman is able to settle in on Rocky Top. He’s an obviously talented player with a bright NFL future ahead once he finds his groove.
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