Tennessee football reached national relevance in 2024 with a College Football Playoff run, but the Vols failed to meet expectations in 2025, finishing 8–5 and falling out of the CFP picture.
That setback forced Josh Heupel and his staff to make major roster upgrades in the offseason to get the program back into SEC title contention, including the addition of EDGE rusher Chaz Coleman, a transfer from Penn State.
Coleman joined Tennessee for offseason workouts, but his status has recently changed, as he has been away from the team since the latter part of spring practice and was also absent from the first week of voluntary summer workouts, according to On3 Sports.
Heupel addressed the situation, saying Coleman is dealing with personal matters and that the program is offering full support while he works through them.
A former highly rated EDGE recruit in the 2025 class, Coleman had a modest freshman season at Penn State, totaling eight tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack in nine games.
While his production was limited, his physical tools and untapped potential still make him an intriguing long-term pass-rushing prospect.
His absence is notable for a Tennessee defense that is looking for more explosiveness off the edge, an area where Coleman was expected to help immediately if developed properly.
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s quarterback competition between George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon adds another layer of uncertainty heading into the season, making defensive stability even more important for the Vols’ overall success in 2026.
