Cam Coleman is on the move-and the rest of college football just got put on high alert.
The Auburn wide receiver officially entered the transfer portal on Monday, immediately vaulting to the top of the rankings as the No. 1 overall player available, according to On3 Sports. And it's easy to see why. Coleman is a 6-foot-3 matchup nightmare with the kind of athleticism and ball skills that make defensive backs sweat before the snap.
In 2025, his sophomore season, Coleman hauled in 56 catches for 708 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers, while solid, only tell part of the story.
Over two seasons with the Tigers, he totaled 93 receptions, 1,306 yards, and 13 scores. But it’s not just about the stats-it’s how he gets them.
Coleman consistently wins in contested catch situations and has the kind of frame and explosiveness that makes him a legitimate WR1 at the college level. And according to PFF’s Max Chadwick, he’s not just a college WR1-he’s got the tools to be a future WR1 in the NFL.
“He’s a freak athlete,” Chadwick said. “As good in contested situations as any wide receiver in the country.”
Now, Coleman’s next stop is the big question-and it could have major implications for Tennessee. Several SEC powerhouses are reportedly in the mix, including Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M.
Texas is also in the conversation, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. If Coleman lands with any of those schools, he won’t just be a name to watch-he’ll be an opponent on the Vols’ 2026 schedule.
Tennessee is set to face all four of those programs next season, with Texas, Alabama, and LSU all coming to Knoxville, and a road trip to College Station to take on the Aggies. That’s already a tough slate for any secondary. Add Cam Coleman to one of those offenses, and it’s a whole different level of challenge.
This portal move comes just weeks after Auburn hired Alex Golesh as its new head coach. Vols fans will remember Golesh well-he was Tennessee’s offensive coordinator during the high-octane 2021 and 2022 seasons before taking the head job at South Florida. After a strong run in Tampa, he’s back in the SEC, tasked with turning around an Auburn program that’s been searching for an identity.
But Coleman won’t be part of Golesh’s first roster. Whether the decision was about scheme, opportunity, or NIL dollars, the talented receiver is looking for a new home-and he won’t be waiting long. He’s expected to be one of the most sought-after players in the portal this offseason, and yes, he’ll command a serious price tag.
Had he stayed at Auburn, Coleman would’ve faced Tennessee in Knoxville on October 3rd. Now, there’s still a strong chance he’ll be on the field that day-just in a different jersey, and potentially for a better team.
Here’s how Tennessee’s 2026 schedule shapes up:
- Week 1 (Sep. 5): Furman at Tennessee (Knoxville)
- Week 2 (Sep. 12): Tennessee at Georgia Tech (Atlanta)
- Week 3 (Sep. 19): Kennesaw State at Tennessee (Knoxville)
- Week 4 (Sep. 26): Texas at Tennessee (Knoxville)
- Week 5 (Oct. 3): Auburn at Tennessee (Knoxville)
- Week 6 (Oct. 10): Tennessee at Arkansas (Fayetteville)
- Week 7 (Oct. 17): Alabama at Tennessee (Knoxville)
- Week 8 (Oct. 24): Tennessee at South Carolina (Columbia)
- Week 9 (Oct. 31): OPEN
- Week 10 (Nov. 7): Kentucky at Tennessee (Knoxville)
- Week 11 (Nov. 14): Tennessee at Texas A&M (College Station)
- Week 12 (Nov. 21): LSU at Tennessee (Knoxville)
- Week 13 (Nov. 28): Tennessee at Vanderbilt (Nashville)
That’s a gauntlet of a schedule, and if Coleman ends up with any of those SEC heavyweights, Tennessee’s corners will have their hands full. Wherever he lands, expect Coleman to be a focal point of his next offense-and a major storyline throughout the 2026 season.