Reese Chapman is back with the Tennessee baseball program as a student assistant coach, a team spokesperson told Knox News on Aug. 25.
Chapman is currently enrolled at UT as a graduate student. He exhausted
his college eligibility last season after four years with the Vols but wasn't selected in the 2026 MLB Draft and didn't sign with an organization as an undrafted free agent.
Chapman was in line for a fifth year of eligibility after U.S. District Court of Colorado judge Charlotte Sweeney granted an injunction on July 31 to all college athletes who graduated in high school in 2022, allowing them to benefit from the NCAA's new eligibility model granting all college athletes five years of eligibility starting this school year. However, the NCAA's request for a stay in the case was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on Aug. 21.
That newest ruling means that in order to play in the 2027 season, Chapman will need to be granted an injunction or temporary restraining order by a state or local court.
Chapman was Tennessee's starting right fielder the past two seasons. In 2026, he hit a career-best .317 with 11 homers and 46 RBIs. He also totaled 20 doubles, 31 walks and seven stolen bases.
Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Reese Chapman back with Tennessee baseball as student assistant coach
