Chaz Coleman is back on the board-and this time, Kentucky has a real shot to land the kind of difference-maker that doesn’t come around often.
The former Penn State edge rusher, who originally spurned the Wildcats out of high school, has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal. And for a Kentucky program in transition, trying to retool its front seven under new leadership, Coleman’s availability couldn’t come at a better time.
This isn’t just about adding a body to the depth chart. Coleman made noise as a true freshman in Happy Valley, earning Midseason All-American honors from On3.
He finished the year with eight tackles, a sack, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble-numbers that reflect both production and potential. He didn’t just flash-he belonged.
And now, he’s looking for a new home.
A tailor-made fit for Jay Bateman’s defense
Enter Jay Bateman, Kentucky’s new defensive coordinator, who’s looking to bring a little chaos to the SEC. Bateman’s scheme thrives on versatility-he wants defenders who can rush the passer, drop into coverage, and blur the lines between positions.
Hybrid athletes who can make offensive linemen hesitate for even a split second. That’s where Coleman fits in like a glove.
At Warren G. Harding High School in Ohio, Coleman wasn’t boxed into a single role.
He lined up at quarterback, tight end, linebacker, and defensive end. He was even a standout basketball player, known for his above-the-rim athleticism.
At 6-foot-5, with long arms and rare agility, he moves like a skill player in a defensive lineman’s frame. That’s the kind of athlete Bateman can unleash in a number of ways.
And with Steven Soles Jr. now in the portal, Kentucky has a clear need for someone who can bring that edge pressure. Soles gave the Wildcats a burst off the edge, the kind of speed that disrupts everything an offense wants to do.
Coleman brings that same quick-twitch explosiveness-but with a frame that could grow into an every-down SEC force. He’s not just a pass-rush specialist.
He’s a future anchor.
A second chance to close the deal
Kentucky’s interest in Coleman isn’t new. The Wildcats were in early on him during his high school recruitment, identifying him as a high-upside late bloomer.
They saw the tools before the breakout. But so did James Franklin and Penn State, and that’s where Coleman landed.
Now, with a new staff in Lexington-led by offensive coordinator Will Stein and Bateman on defense-the Wildcats have a rare second chance. The relationship is already there.
The vision is even clearer now. This isn’t just a sales pitch; it’s a fit.
In today’s transfer portal era, edge rushers like Coleman don’t stay uncommitted for long. He’s young, proven, and has multiple years of eligibility left. In a sport where elite pass rushers are second only to quarterbacks in value, this is the kind of portal opportunity that can change a defense’s trajectory.
For Kentucky, the message is simple: don’t let this one slip away twice.