The Tennessee Volunteers were one of the most active teams in the transfer portal this offseason. They brought in 21 commitments, ranking 10th in the SEC and 27th nationally, according to Rivals.
One of their biggest additions among that group was former Penn State Nittany Lions EDGE Chaz Coleman. Last season as a true freshman, he accumulated eight tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection.
While his numbers didn't jump off the page, he was one of the most sought-after transfer recruits. Rivals Industry Rankings listed him as a four-star prospect, the No. 3 EDGE and the No. 9 player to hit the portal.
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With an On3 NIL valuation of $1.2 million, he is a highly valued player and was expected to make an immediate impact for the Volunteers. However, on Friday, On3's Pete Nakos reported that Tennessee has moved on from Coleman.
"Tennessee has parted ways with Penn State transfer EDGE Chaz Coleman, sources tell Chris Low and me for On3," he wrote. "He has been medically disqualified from the Volunteers’ roster. He was absent from summer workouts and the second half of the Volunteers’ spring practice and his status with the program moving forward was unclear. Voluntary summer workouts began earlier this month at Tennessee, and he officially missed his report day."
Last season, Tennessee's defense struggled, tied for 91st in points allowed per game (28.8) and ranking 92nd in total yards allowed per game (397.2). They added Coleman with hopes he would help turn things around.
While the details of the injury aren't clear, Chris Hummer os CBS Sports notes that, "Sources also pointed to lingering vertigo symptoms connected to a head injury."
No matter the cause, though, he will no longer have the opportunity to suit up for the Volunteers. The only other pass rushers they added through the portal are defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam (Penn State) and EDGE Jordan Norman (Tulane Green Wave).
