It’s been a rough few days for Tennessee football. On Thursday, the Vols lost a four-star defensive lineman recruit. And on Friday, news broke that the program has medically disqualified a pass-rusher they brought in from Penn State.
Chaz Coleman, an edge rusher who transferred from Penn State this offseason, is no longer with the team. According to Pete Nakos and Chris Low of On3 Sports, Tennessee medically disqualified Coleman after he missed the second half of spring practice and voluntary summer workouts — including the report day earlier this month.
“Tennessee has parted ways with Penn State transfer EDGE Chaz Coleman, sources tell Chris Low and me for On3. He has been medically disqualified from the Volunteers’ roster,” Nakos reported.
What Josh Heupel Said About Coleman
During SEC spring meetings on Wednesday, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel told On3 that Coleman had “been dealing with some things” and that the staff was supporting him through the process. No specifics on what those things were, but the medical disqualification makes it official.
It’s a real loss for the Vols, too. Coleman had barely played as a freshman at Penn State — just 144 snaps — but he was generating serious buzz this spring. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who also came over from Penn State, couldn’t stop talking about him back in February.
“He’s explosive,” Knowles said. “He’s 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 a matchup issue.”
That invisible cloak line stuck with people. Coleman was supposed to be a problem for opposing offenses this fall, a guy who could slide into a pass-rush rotation and maybe cause some chaos. Now the Vols have to figure out who fills that role without him.
Coleman’s college future is unclear. He’s still young, and if his medical situation allows him to play elsewhere, he could end up at another program. But for now, Tennessee moves forward with one less edge rusher on the depth chart.
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