Transfer portal prediction for former Penn State defensive end Chaz Coleman, where the premier pass rusher could land in 2026
Predicting where former Penn State pass rusher Chaz Coleman ends up after entering the transfer portal.
After a disastrous early head-coaching search following the firing of James Franklin, the Penn State Nittany Lions recovered, hiring former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell. Even though the program found a very good head coach, the process was extremely flawed from the beginning. Every time there is a coaching change, there is typically some substantial roster turnover to follow, as well.
We have already seen that aforementioned turnover begin for the Nittany Lions in the last couple of weeks. Earlier this week, arguably the program’s worst loss came when talented young pass rusher Chaz Coleman entered the transfer portal. Coming off of just his true freshman season, the 6-4, 246-pound defensive end will end up being a hot commodity when the portal officially opens up on Jan. 2.
While Coleman’s raw numbers (three tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble) won’t jump off the page at you, he certainly will on film. Boasting tremendous length and explosiveness, Coleman was viewed as the next great defensive end once Dani Dennis-Sutton left this offseason. He now enters the portal, where there is a long list of suitors. Any coach who has turned his film on understands just how talented Coleman is.
Chaz Coleman’s career background
Coleman is ranked as the top overall transfer portal player, according to 247 Sports. He was originally part of the 2025 recruiting class for the Nittany Lions and ended up ranked as a four-star player. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, Coleman was rated as the No. 293 overall player, the No. 31 EDGE, and the No. 9 player in the state of Ohio for the 2025 class.
Penn State ended up winning out against a long list of impressive suitors. Some of Coleman’s other top offers included Ohio State, Ole Miss, Florida State, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Virginia, Illinois, and Purdue, among others.
Best fits for Chaz Coleman
Every big program can use some added help at defensive end, so there are going to be a lot of teams that have interest in a player like Coleman. I would expect one of them to be Ohio State, which would probably be the biggest contender early on. With Coleman being from Ohio, the Buckeyes are a very easy well. With both Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. potentially heading to the NFL, it would also be an advantageous situation to walk into.
With former Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles now with the Tennessee program, the Volunteers should also be considered a contender for Coleman. That familiarity, along with the SEC allure, could be an interesting selling point. Coleman would also walk into a room where he could figure out the rotation early, as well.
Speaking of familiarity, Coleman’s former head coach now leads Virginia Tech. Could he potentially follow Franklin down to Blacksburg? While unlikely, it’s an intriguing wildcard.
Prediction: Ohio State
Tennessee Volunteers News
Talented defender that has an elite nickname thanks to new Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is entering the NCAA transfer portal
The Tennessee Vols are expected to add some defensive players to their roster via the NCAA transfer portal.
