Report details Chaz Coleman’s early struggles in Knoxville

Out with Caleb Herring (South Carolina) and Jordan Ross (LSU), in with Chaz Coleman from Penn State. Tennessee’s LEO depth chart appeared taken care of with the transfer portal both giving and taking from Tennessee, but sometimes it’s just not that easy.

At the end of the day, you’re still dealing with 18-23 year olds that are coming into wealth and new surroundings. Those changes come with growing pains, especially when you have players moving school to school each year. That seems to be what has happened with Chaz Coleman early on at Tennessee.

The Volunteers pulled Coleman out of the transfer portal to come with new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who coached Coleman last season at Penn State as a true freshman. The former elite prospect was Tennessee’s prized pull of portal season, set to step into an expanded role at the LEO spot. However, things felt off early on during spring camp, as evidenced by Coleman missing multiple practices throughout the month-long period.

Rumors of maturity, being homesick and even a case of vertigo swirled throughout those handful of weeks. Coleman did not play in Tennessee’s annual orange and white game.

CBS Sports reported deeper on the issue on Monday.

When talking to sources about Coleman’s situation, they tend to point to three things: He’s homesick and feeling the pressure as a newfound millionaire; he suffered a head injury at an unknown point during his time at Penn State that seems to have caused lingering vertigo symptoms; and then there are concerns about his tardiness and engagement level early in his Vols tenure. 

Sources indicate that Tennessee paid Coleman in the ballpark of $2 million out of the portal, perhaps the Vols’ biggest investment of the offseason. — CBS Sports

The 6-4, 250 pound defensive end was ranked as a 5-star transfer by 247Sports this offseason. Coleman, an Ohio native, was a 4-star high school prospect just one year ago. Many thought he would end up closer to home at Ohio State, but Tennessee backed up the truck and made him a Volunteer, filling a huge need on the roster. Now they’re simply hoping he’s able to contribute this fall.

According to the report, things to seem to be progressing.

“He’s not in trouble, and some in the Tennessee program, including teammates, are optimistic that he will be part of the team in 2026 despite his absence during spring practice. Coleman remains in Knoxville around the team, and he even recently went to church with Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner.” — CBS Sports

“Ultimately, Chaz is dealing with some things off the field, and he’s got to handle that and go through that process,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said after the spring game. “We’re here to help and support him in all of those ways and will continue to do that. But that’s ultimately the beginning part of his journey right now, that (there’s) some things that he’s got to work through.”

Coleman was one of four players from Penn State to follow Knowles to Tennessee, joining linebacker Amare Campbell, safety Dejaun Lane and defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam.

Tennessee needs Coleman badly. They didn’t quite put all their eggs into his basket, but they sure came close based on the lack of depth and experience at the position. Tulane transfer Jordan Norman would be next in line, but beyond that you’re talking about a bunch of true freshmen or guys who haven’t seen the field yet.

We’re about to hit May, which means the two sides have three months to get things situated ahead of fall camp. Outside of the quarterback battle, this will be the story to monitor until then.