Tennessee football’s 2026 class could add another five-star on the offensive line.
With five-star tackle Gabriel Osenda already in the boat, the Vols are now trying to land elite interior lineman Darius Gray. On Sunday, he whittled his list down to just five schools, including Tennessee.
Opposing the Vols on the list are South Carolina, Clemson, LSU and Ohio State.
Gray ranks as the No. 16 player in the class and No. 1 interior lineman in the 2026 class, according to 247. As the top player from Virginia, he plays at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond. Currently, UT owns the commitment from three-star defensive lineman Kedric Golston II out of the state. The Vols are also targeting five-star running back Savion Hiter.
So far, Gray has made the trip south to Knoxville a handful of times. Most recently, he took an official visit to Tennessee on June 6. He also took an official look at his other four finalists, along with Penn State, Georgia, Auburn, Virginia and Virginia Tech, who didn’t make the cut.
Prior to his string of officials, he got to check out the Vols this past March, as well as November and June of both 2024 and 2023. He initially picked up his offer from Tennessee on March 28, 2023.
More From RTI: Where Tennessee Football’s 2026 Recruiting Class Ranks After 21 Commitments
Currently, the Vols hold commitments from 21 players in the 2026 class. This is good for the No. 13-ranked group on 247. In addition to five-star Osenda, Tennessee’s offensive lineman commits include four-star tackle J.B. Shabazz, who committed earlier this week, and three-star interior lineman Edward Baker.
If Gray does pick UT, he’ll have the job of protecting the top quarterback in the cycle. Five-star Faizon Brandon stands not just atop Tennessee’s class, but the entire country as the No. 1 overall recruit on 247.
While Gray didn’t outline a commitment date yet, the Vols do have their eyes on some targets who are coming off the board soon. Up next, in-state safety Craig Tutt will announce his destination on July 18. However, many believe Ole Miss is the leader in the clubhouse for the defensive back to this point.
While neither has announced a new date, four-star athletes Joel Wyatt and Salesi Moa also both previously intended to announce a commitment before pushing it back. In the 2027 class, four-star quarterback Jayce Johnson will announce on August 3.
One Response
If The Vols land this guy, lookout! They already have some awesome commits but to add this big man in amongst them would be extremely helpful, to say the least.