Penn State's defensive strength has been on full display during its first two games of the 2025 season.
After losing four defensive starters (defensive end Abdul Carter, linebacker Kobe King and safeties Jaylen Reed and Kevin Winston Jr.) to the NFL, the Nittany Lions allowed just 11 points and 203 total yards of offense to Nevada in its season opener. They surrendered more yards (290) to FIU last weekend but went on to record a 34-0 shutout at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State returned a number of defensive players from a team that reached the College Football Playoff semifinals last season, but another who has drawn plenty of praise early in the campaign is true freshman Chaz Coleman, who put together a strong individual performance against the Panthers.
Coleman named On3's 'True Freshman of the Week' on Monday
On3 released its list of "True Freshman Standouts from Week 2" on Monday, which featured the likes of Oregon wideout Dakorien Moore, SMU wide receiver Jalen Cooper, Oklahoma offensive tackle Michael Fasusi and Maryland defensive lineman Zahir Mathis.
Coleman also made the list, but with the distinction of being the outlet's "True Freshman of the Week."
"Penn State true freshman EDGE Chaz Coleman was dominant in the Nittany Lions’ 34-0 over FIU. The 6-foot-4, 246-pounder was virtually unblockable, posting five pressures, three hurries, two tackles for loss, and a sack en route to posting a 93.7 grade on Pro Football Focus," Charles Power, On3's director of scouting and rankings, wrote.
"Coleman’s burst off the edge was startling throughout the game. He darted in the backfield for a tackle for loss, flashed a nasty spin move, and made a key play on 3rd and short. Coleman’s biggest play came late in the game, as he dipped around the edge and exploded to the quarterback, jarring the ball loose, and recovering his own forced fumble before rumbling down the sideline for a near score."
Penn State true freshman EDGE Chaz Coleman with the strip sack and long return. Looks really talented a few games into his college career. Coleman was a huge senior riser as a hyper-athletic QB/EDGE, finished No. 137 overall for On3 https://t.co/bclYSMBgDe pic.twitter.com/ro8tnuNqRB
— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) September 6, 2025
The fact that Coleman did not enroll at Penn State until the summer, meaning he missed out on opportunities to practice with the team and build chemistry during spring camp, makes his quick rise to prominence even more notable, according to Power.
"Coleman’s instant impact is even more impressive considering he was not an early enrollee," Power wrote. "He was a big senior riser as a recruit, showing elite athleticism as a pass rusher and quarterback at Warren (Ohio) Warren G Harding, finishing No. 137 overall in the 2025 On300 [rankings]."
Coleman has additionally provided the Nittany Lions' defense with four total tackles and a pass breakup across his first two collegiate games. Those early contributions have Power believing he could soon join the upper echelon of defensive linemen the school has produced.
"Penn State has built a reputation of churning out some big-time pass rushers in recent years, including Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter, and several others," Power wrote. "Chaz Coleman has the talent to join that group in due time."