Bizarre Chaz Coleman holdout could have massive Texas A&M implications

Tennessee defensive lineman Chaz Coleman is currently in the midst of a strange holdout with the Volunteer program, having still not reported to campus for team activities and his future with the program currently being considered “unclear,” per Pete Nakos of On3. Coleman was one of the most highly-touted transfers of this past cycle, with the former Penn State edge rusher ranking as the no. 9 player regardless of position per On3.

This is a situation that could end up having significant effects on Texas A&M football when all is said and done. Not in the sense that Coleman could end up deciding that he’d rather be in the Maroon and White— at this point, it doesn’t seem like Coleman could play anywhere besides Tennessee for the upcoming season, barring some sort of court case or new legislation happening.

No, this could have cascading effects for the Aggies in the sense that Coleman is a cornerstone piece for the Tennessee defense— and Texas A&M’s game against Tennessee is in a crucial spot on the schedule. If Coleman ends up departing the Volunteer program or failing to play for them this season, it could end up being a massive strategic advantage for Texas A&M this November.

Texas A&M could benefit hugely from Chaz Coleman holdout with Tennessee Volunteers

Texas A&M is facing a difficult schedule this fall, as is every single SEC team. The new 9-game conference slate is going to take things to the next level in the SEC, and the Aggies, as part of that new scheduling philosophy, are set to face the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field on November 14.

Apart from the simple old adage of “they remember November,” this is a big game for the Aggies for several reasons. Some are clear on their face: it will be the first home game for Texas A&M in a month by that point, for one thing. The Aggies play The Citadel on October 17 before a two-game road trip takes them to Alabama on October 24 and South Carolina on November 7, with a bye week in between.

It is also the first game of a key three-week stretch to close out the season for Texas A&M. The Aggies could well be walking into that one with one or zero losses— road trips to Alabama and LSU look daunting, but the Ags might be better than both of those teams. After the game against the Vols, the Aggies head on the road against Oklahoma before closing the season out against Texas.

This game against Tennessee could be the one that decides Texas A&M’s College Football Playoff chances heading into the Lone Star Showdown, in other words. If the Aggies win against the Vols, they will be in great position in those final two games, with the ability to take a loss or two and still make it into the field.

If they lose, though, they will be in a really tough spot, possibly with their CFP hopes riding on the Lone Star Showdown game. The sense of heightened stakes will no doubt be a great addition on top of everything else that game means, but the Aggie faithful would rather have their spot locked up before that one rolls around.

If Tennessee is without Coleman, who profiles to be their best defensive player if he takes the field, it will give an instant boost to Texas A&M’s chances against them. It’s hard to tell why exactly this is all happening with Coleman and the Vols, but you can bet that the Aggies aren’t complaining— it could end up working to their benefit in the end.

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