Gabriel Osenda may not be getting the same buzz as Tennessee’s other five-star freshmen, but the Vols are already seeing plenty to like from the massive offensive tackle.
At 6-foot-8 and 332 pounds, Osenda has the kind of frame that jumps off the page. Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said earlier this preseason that the freshman reminds him of Jesse Perry, who is now a starter on the Vols’ offensive line.
That’s not a throwaway comparison. A year ago, Elarbee said Perry “does everything right” while the redshirt freshman was working his way into a starting role, so linking Osenda to him says plenty about how the staff views the newcomer.
Osenda is one of three former five-star recruits in Tennessee’s freshman class, alongside quarterback Faizon Brandon and wide receiver TK Keys. He’s been a little more under the radar than those two, but his path has still been noteworthy. A native Canadian who starred at Chattanooga’s Baylor School during his final two seasons of high school football, Osenda enrolled at Tennessee in January and spent spring practice working at left tackle.
This preseason, he’s also taken reps at right tackle. That may end up being the more realistic spot for him if he’s aiming to start as early as 2027, given David Sanders Jr.’s presence at left tackle. The idea of Tennessee eventually rolling out a pair of five-star tackles on the edges is an appealing one, and if Osenda follows the same kind of trajectory as Perry, the Vols could have a fast-rising piece in place sooner than expected.
There has been one hiccup lately. Osenda has been dealing with a lower-body injury, and after Tennessee’s first scrimmage he was in a short walking boot and using a crutch to get around. Even with that setback, the early signs around the freshman remain encouraging.
In Other News...
Tennessee Fans Need To Know Neylands New Game Day Plan
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is rolling out a new traffic and parking setup around Neyland Stadium this fall, aiming to make football game days run a little smoother and a little safer. Fans who already have parking passes will be directed along designated routes and can also use shuttle options, while those without passes are being steered toward downtown parking and shuttle service instead of driving straight into the stadium area.
For Volunteers fans, the bigger change may be the amount of planning now required before kickoff. Several roads will be closed on game days, and the university is increasing police presence to help manage the flow of traffic around the stadium. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes adjustment that can make a long Saturday feel less chaotic, even if it means a different routine for anyone used to the old Neyland approach. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Is Finally Taking On Neylands Biggest Gameday Frustration
For years, one of the most familiar complaints around Neyland Stadium has had nothing to do with what happens between the lines. Tennessee Athletics, working with local partners, has now developed and tested new gameday traffic patterns that are set to go into place beginning with the 2026 football season opener, a move designed to make the trip to and from South Knoxville feel a lot less like a test of patience.
The plan spells out designated routes for fans with parking passes and gives guidance for those without them, while police and consultants will help manage traffic more aggressively on the back end to improve departures after events. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes fix that usually only gets noticed when it works, but for a stadium experience as big as Neylands, smoothing out the bottlenecks could end up mattering as much to fans as anything on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Just Got Relief On A Scary Daevin Hobbs Rumor
A swirl of concern around Daevin Hobbs had Tennessee fans bracing for bad news after a social media report suggested the senior defensive lineman was dealing with another foot injury. Hobbs quickly cut through the speculation himself, addressing the rumor on his verified X account and making clear that the injury story was not true, a welcome bit of relief for a program that needs experienced pieces along the defensive front.
Rodney Garner has already pointed to Hobbs as a player with real talent and one whose path has included his share of injury setbacks, but also as someone the Vols are counting on for the 2026 season. For Tennessee, the value is obvious: a veteran lineman who can help steady a rotation and bring some needed continuity, especially when any hint of another foot issue would have been an immediate red flag. [Read more 🡒]