Story perspectives

Tennessee Cuts Edge Rusher Chaz Coleman After Medical Disqualification

6/27/2026

Summary

Coleman Disqualified

Tennessee Volunteers removed Chaz Coleman from the roster after a medical disqualification on June 26, 2026.
He entered the 2026 portal as the No. 7 prospect and No. 3 edge rusher, missed practice, did not report for workouts, stays on scholarship but cannot transfer until January 2027.
Sources said lingering vertigo from a prior head injury, homesickness and pressure from his $2 million NIL earnings caused his issues and that Coach Josh Heupel will support him.

Summary

Knowles Adjusts

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles must turn to alternatives after the medical disqualification of transfer prospect Coleman.
Jordan Norman, a Tulane transfer, posted 28 tackles, eight tackles for loss and six sacks last season, becoming Tennessee’s primary edge-rusher depth option.
In the SEC Championship prediction market, Tennessee trailed Georgia (39 %) and Alabama (27 %), not appearing among leading contenders.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA opened the Transfer Portal on October 15 2018 to publicize athletes’ intent to move. A 2021 rule then let Division-I football players transfer once without losing a year, and in 2024 the NCAA granted unlimited transfers. That evolution now frames cases like Tennessee’s Chaz Coleman, barred from moving until 2027, and coaches such as LSU’s Ed Orgeron adapting recruitment.

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Coleman Disqualified

Tennessee Volunteers removed Chaz Coleman from the roster after a medical disqualification on June 26, 2026.
He entered the 2026 portal as the No. 7 prospect and No. 3 edge rusher, missed practice, did not report for workouts, stays on scholarship but cannot transfer until January 2027.
Sources said lingering vertigo from a prior head injury, homesickness and pressure from his $2 million NIL earnings caused his issues and that Coach Josh Heupel will support him.

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