This doesn’t seem good for the Vols.
This isn’t sounding too promising for Josh Heupel and Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class. Not long ago, five-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda stated he wasn’t planning to take any more visits and was fully committed to the Vols. But what if Georgia keeps pushing? Could that sway him?
It’s starting to look that way. In an unexpected development, Osenda told Georgia’s Rivals site that while he remains committed to Tennessee, Georgia is the one school that could “turn my head.” That certainly suggests he’s leaving the door open for Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs to make a move — a potential nightmare scenario for Tennessee.
Gabriel Osenda is locked in with Tennessee. But don’t count Georgia out of the race for the mammoth offensive lineman just yet.
“It is only Georgia that could turn my head.”
@SmallwoodTrent has the story: https://t.co/TNbdMk4Wmf
— Jed May (@JedMay_) May 21, 2025
5-star Tennessee commit Gabriel Osenda is leaving the door open for Georgia to make a move
Although Rivals still lists Gabriel Osenda as a four-star recruit, 247Sports recently elevated him to five-star status in their latest rankings. He’s now considered the No. 4 offensive tackle and the No. 19 overall prospect in the nation—a major rise in his recruiting stock.
Following the rankings update, there was immediate concern among Tennessee fans that other top programs might try to flip the in-state standout. Osenda initially reassured supporters by saying he was finished with visits, but his recent comments about Georgia have reignited speculation.
It would be no surprise if Kirby Smart intensified his pursuit of the 6-foot-7, 330-pound lineman. Earlier this month, Georgia was in the mix for Jackson Cantwell—the No. 1 offensive tackle in the country—and was widely viewed as the favorite before Cantwell shocked everyone by committing to Miami.
With that loss, it’s logical for Smart to pivot toward Osenda, who’s now among the elite tackles in the 2026 class. While he remains verbally committed to Tennessee and is expected to help anchor the line for Faizon Brandon in the future, Georgia’s push is a serious threat—one that could become a major problem for Josh Heupel’s staff.
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