Tennessee has made some serious moves in the transfer portal this offseason, bringing in 20 new players to bolster their roster. The Vols have focused heavily on enhancing their defense, while also addressing key needs on offense and special teams. Notably, they’ve secured a new starting kicker following Max Gilbert’s departure.
A standout addition is former Penn State EDGE rusher Chaz Coleman, who ESPN’s Max Olson hailed as Tennessee’s top portal pickup. Coleman, a highly sought-after five-star prospect, was the subject of intense competition before choosing to join the Vols. He’ll reunite with former Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jim Knowles at Tennessee.
Coleman’s potential is well recognized, with 247Sports ranking him as the No. 7 overall portal prospect and the No. 2 EDGE rusher.
Despite limited playing time at Penn State, he showed flashes of brilliance with 12 pressures, three tackles for loss, and a strip sack returned for 39 yards against Florida International. After bulking up to 250 pounds, he’s poised to take his game to the next level in the SEC.
Though Coleman’s experience is limited due to injuries, his talent is undeniable. In nine games with Penn State, he recorded eight tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and a pass breakup. While he didn’t start any games, his impact was felt on the field.
Tennessee also had three players featured in ESPN’s Top 100 portal players list. Coleman was ranked the highest at No. 13, followed by former Auburn cornerback Kayin Lee at No. 58, and former Penn State defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam at No. 98.
With these strategic additions, Tennessee Football is ranked No. 24 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.