Tennessee football has made a splash in the transfer portal this offseason, particularly bolstering their defense. The standout addition is edge rusher Chaz Coleman, who made the move alongside new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Penn State.
Coleman, despite being sidelined for part of November due to injury, managed to play in nine games with the Nittany Lions. His stats include eight tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and a pass breakup. While he wasn't a regular starter, his potential was evident, generating significant excitement about his development.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Coleman received a solid 78.5 grade from Pro Football Focus for the season, with his standout performance being a remarkable 90.6 game grade against Ohio State. He topped all freshman edge rushers with a 90.6 pass rush grade last season.
On Thursday, Tennessee’s new defensive coaches shared their insights on Coleman’s potential. Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles praised his explosiveness and ability to disrupt offenses, highlighting his quickness and knack for creating matchup challenges.
LEOs Coach Andrew Johnson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Coleman’s fearless play and relentless hustle. Despite his youth, Coleman’s determination and effort stood out, even when facing older, stronger opponents.
With Coleman’s addition, Tennessee’s defense is gearing up to be a formidable force, and fans have plenty to be excited about as the new season approaches.