Tennessee faces uncertainty with transfer Chaz Coleman as sources indicate the defensive back will likely leave the program before fall semester begins.
The Volunteers landed Coleman as one of the top available players in the transfer portal. The coaching staff was excited about adding his talent to the roster.
Things haven’t gone as planned since Coleman arrived in Knoxville. He’s dealt with off-field issues that caused him to miss most of spring practice.
He has met with coaches, but a full return to the team doesn’t appear likely at this point.
“He’s still not been in there in the weight room or anything. He’s met with (strength coach) Derek Owings. Both sides are kind of going through the motions and dotting i’s and checking boxes and all of that stuff. And again, I just don’t think it’s going to be a marriage that lasts much longer. But technically, he’s still part of the program,” VolQuest’s Austin Price said.
The timing creates complications for Coleman’s situation.
The spring transfer window has closed. He can’t enter the portal right now, which leaves him stuck in Knoxville for the time being.
All For Tennessee’s Dekota Gregory wrote that Coleman’s situation feels similar to previous roster issues the program has faced.
“That has the Coleman situation feeling all-too-familiar as Coleman could become Nico 2.0. The biggest difference between now and then is there’s no spring transfer window this year so Coleman actually has no way out, no matter how much he apparently regrets not going to his home state Ohio State,” Gregory noted.
Coleman is back in Knoxville but isn’t participating in team activities. On3’s Pete Nakos provided an update on Coleman’s future with the Volunteers.
This marks the second straight season where a key player has left the program unexpectedly.
Coleman was expected to make a significant impact in his sophomore season working with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and Rodney Garner. The coaching staff had high expectations for his development.
Tennessee will need to adjust its defensive plans without Coleman. The distraction will eventually be resolved one way or another.
There’s still no clear indication of the specific nature of Coleman’s off-field issues beyond what has been reported publicly.
