When it comes to 5-star Tennessee football pledge Gabriel Osenda, Vols fans can't wait for him to suit up for the program once the 2026 campaign gets here. Unfortunately, however, it looks like Kirby Smart and Georgia are looking to have a say in things.
People are still talking about Osenda saying he won't take any other official visits, but he appears to be leaving the door open for UGA to make a move. Thankfully, however, the massive in-state offensive tackle was in Knoxville over the weekend and he sure looked like someone who is 'locked in' to play for UT once he makes the jump to college:
#865live pic.twitter.com/7gbllJCCqU
— Gabriel “Big Squish” Osenda (@gabriel_osenda) May 24, 2025
#865live pic.twitter.com/hhPSFJyZ6l
— Gabriel “Big Squish” Osenda (@gabriel_osenda) May 24, 2025
5-star Tennessee commit Gabriel Osenda was in Knoxville over the weekend
Those are just two of the seven posts Osenda fired up on his social media for everyone to see while he was on campus. Getting the 6-7, 330-pounder in town was important for Josh Heupel and Co., especially with Georgia lurking after it missed out on Jackson Cantwell.
Osenda, a standout for the Baylor School in Chattanooga, is ranked five stars, the No. 4 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 19 player nationally according to 247Sports. He's closing in on 30 offers this cycle, but he chose the Vols over Minnesota, South Carolina and Florida.
He's expected to be a beast for the Vols once he starts suiting up for this team. Getting his verbal in January was one thing, but now Heupel is going to be working overtime to make sure that things don't change there. Again, Georgia is a program to keep an eye on.
Despite Smart instilling fear for Tennessee supporters, Osenda isn't wavering in his decision and the fact that he was all smiles during his most recent trip to Rocky Top sure is promising. There's a long wait until December and the Early Signing Period, but Tennessee fans can start to feel a little more confident that Heupel will be landing his signature.