Penn State Loses Promising Freshman Edge Rusher Chaz Coleman to Transfer Portal
Penn State’s defense just took a significant hit to its future. Freshman edge rusher Chaz Coleman, one of the more impressive young contributors on the Nittany Lions roster this season, has announced he’ll be entering the transfer portal in January.
Coleman confirmed the move on social media, stating he plans to "pursue other opportunities" after just one season in Happy Valley. It’s a tough loss for a program that not only saw his potential but made a strong push to keep him.
According to reports, new head coach Matt Campbell and his staff prioritized retaining Coleman and were willing to put resources on the table to make it happen. But in the end, the freshman standout chose to explore his options elsewhere.
And it’s not hard to see why he was such a priority.
At 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds, Coleman brought size, athleticism, and a knack for disruption off the edge. In just nine games this season, he racked up eight tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Those numbers might not jump off the page at first glance, but for a true freshman in limited snaps, they’re a strong indicator of what he could become. His instincts and motor stood out, and he was already flashing the kind of upside that gets defensive coordinators excited.
Coleman’s impact didn’t go unnoticed nationally either. He was named a True Freshman Midseason All-American by On3 and had his redshirt burned early in the year-a clear sign the coaching staff saw him as a difference-maker, not just a developmental piece.
He originally chose Penn State over Michigan State and Kentucky, and with three years of eligibility left, he’ll be one of the more intriguing names in the upcoming transfer window. The portal officially opens on January 2 and runs through January 16, and Coleman figures to draw interest from programs looking to bolster their pass rush with a young, proven talent.
For Penn State, it’s a blow-not just because of what Coleman already brought to the field, but because of what he could’ve grown into. Losing a player of his caliber after just one season is the kind of roster turnover that makes building continuity on defense a real challenge, especially in today’s era of college football where movement is constant and competition for talent is fierce.
Still, this is the new normal. And while the Nittany Lions will look to reload, Coleman will be one of the more watched names as the portal carousel starts spinning in the new year.