Gabriel Osenda, a highly regarded offensive lineman from Chattanooga’s Baylor School in Tennessee, announced his commitment to Tennessee during Saturday’s live broadcast of the Navy All-American Bowl on NBC.
Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 305 pounds, Osenda also carefully weighed opportunities from Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, and South Carolina.
“After talking to my family and after visits I’ve taken it feels right and feels like this is the place I want to be at,” Osenda told On3.
Josh Heupel and Tennessee are rolling early in the 2026 recruiting cycle sitting at No. 3 in the On3 Recruiting Rankings. The class headliner is five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon. Osenda fellow offensive lineman in Brandon Anderson.
“It felt like home talking with the coaches,” Osenda said. “Talking with Coach Heupel, Coach (Glen) Elarbee, Coach KP (Kelsey Pope), Max Thurmond, just the way they’ve been recruiting me, making me feel Tennessee is home. It’s like family up there.
“They’re building a great program. They’re getting real talent and doing something special.”
Osenda loves what Heupel has built in Knoxville.
“He feels like a true leader,” Osenda said. “Whenever I have conversations with him he feels like a genuine guy. Great leader. You can see it on the field. He’s leading his team to do great things.”
Elarbee is the position coach Osenda feels can get the most out of him.
“His style of coaching I’ve experience it,” Osenda said. “Him and my offensive line coach went to MTSU together and they have a similar style of coaching. Looking at his tackles and o-linemen they’ve really developed, they had a great year this year and it shows how he’s
According to the On3 Industry rankings, Osenda is listed as the nation’s No. 25 offensive tackle.developed guys and builds them into great young men and great players on the football field.”
