Tennessee kept the pressure on one of the nation’s most coveted young offensive linemen, and Landon Ghea came away impressed.
The 2029 Milton (Ga.) standout was back on Rocky Top for what he described as a first-class experience, and the visit only reinforced how seriously the Volunteers are pursuing him. Ghea, who is already viewed as the No. 1 offensive lineman in the 2029 class, is expected to rise to five-star status after being tagged as a four-star prospect by both Rivals and 247Sports.
From the moment he arrived in Knoxville, Ghea said the attention stood out.
"I think the overall treatment," said Ghea of what stood out the most during this trip to Knoxville."From the parking, to the time I got with coaches from the head coach all the way down to analyst. I felt like a major priority," Ghea elaborated.
That feeling mattered to him, and Tennessee made sure he knew where he sat on the board.
"Their message is I'm number one on the board, and I'm their main priority," Ghea told Vols on SI. "That felt really good to hear. It makes me want to work harder to keep proving."
That response fits the way Ghea carries himself. During the offseason, he was competing in a camp setting when it appeared his shoulder may have dislocated.
Rather than stop, Ghea walked off, worked his arm back into place, and called for the next rep. It was the kind of moment that says plenty about the player Tennessee is chasing.
For Ghea, the relationship piece is just as important as the football.
"It is important to me because relationships will be one of the more important things to me. I want to feel like I'm going to be invested in," Ghea explained.With the staff's full attention, I'd say the Vols are getting an early jump on the investment as they continue to recruit the blue-chip OL.
Heupel has been involved throughout the process, and this latest trip gave Ghea another chance to strengthen that connection. He knows how recruiting works, and he’s clear about what matters to him as an underclassman.
This wasn't the first time Ghea and his family have made the trip to Knoxville. It was his third visit to Rocky Top, and that familiarity seems to be helping Tennessee.
"They like it, especially because it's so close to home, and they already feel like they know the coaches because this is my third time here, already."
The trip also gave Ghea a chance to watch Tennessee’s offensive line up close in the 24-14 win over Auburn. Even with the unit banged up, he came away impressed by how the Vols controlled the line of scrimmage.
"They (OL) bullied the d-line. Over 200 yards rushing, they were the difference in the game. Once they owned the trenches, it opened the pass and helped balance the offense," Ghea analyized.
That performance mattered to Ghea, but so did the message it sent about Tennessee’s place in his recruitment.
"They were already there (in the mix of top schools), it just showed me that I am making the right choices in who I'm visiting," Ghea stated.
His family background adds another layer, though Ghea made it clear his path will be his own. His older brother, Ryan Ghea, is a sophomore tight end at Auburn, but Landon said that connection will not determine where he ends up.
"My recruitment is my recruitment. I am going to make a decision that fits me, just like my brother did for himself.
We are two different players and I will want different things. I always look up to him and he has helped me get to where I am, but I am going where it best fits me," Ghea said.
Tennessee remains in the mix as the Vols continue to go after one of the top offensive linemen in the country. And with multiple former Milton Eagles already in the locker room, plus the commitment of Milton 2027 QB Derrick Baker, the Vols have a built-in connection that could matter as Ghea’s recruitment unfolds.
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The bigger conversation, though, is happening under center. Josh Heupel addressed the quarterback change during the game but stopped short of naming a starter for next week, leaving Tennessee to head into Arkansas with the position still unsettled. For a team that has already shown it can win while sorting through that question, the next week now feels like another test of both timing and trust. [Read more 🡒]