The Tennessee Volunteers and head coach Josh Heupel look to be gaining traction in the recruitment of Hunter Osborne. The four-star defensive lineman from Trussville, Alabama announced on Tuesday that we will be taking a visit to the Tennessee football program from June 24 to 26 in Knoxville.
Tennessee Official Visit June 24-26 #GBO🍊@ChadSimmons_ @SWiltfong247 @LevornH @coachg76 @coachjoshheupel
— Hunter Osborne (@hunterrosborne) May 3, 2022
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After being excluded from Osborne’s Top 10 back in mid-March, the Vols have been making a strong push to land the 6-foot-3, 250-pound prospect. Osborne’s initial list included Alabama, LSU, Clemson, OU, Georgia, Florida, Miami, Auburn, USC (Cali.), and Oregon.
According to On3 Sports’ composite rankings, Osborne lists as the No. 12 defensive lineman and the No. 11 player from Alabama in the class of 2023.
“Flashes a good first step off the line of scrimmage, displaying good foot and body quickness at the point of attack,” 247 Sports National Recruiting Analyst Cooper Petagna said about Hunter Osborne in February. “Plays with good knee bend and flexibility, showing the ability to bend the edge. Sudden rusher, moves efficiency in his pass rush. Can win with speed, quickness, and power. Shows the ability to go speed to power at the point of attack, plays with a good understanding of leverage and body control. Closes space quickly and flashes excellent backside pursuit ability. Appears to have a good motor.”
It looks like Tennessee and Osborne are off and running, though, even without the Vols landing an initial spot in his top ten. According to On3 Sports’ Recruiting Prediction Machine, Tennessee is currently the favorite to land Osborne at 24 percent. Alabama tracks just behind Tennessee at 17 percent, with Auburn rounding out the top three at 7.5 percent.
“Tennessee wasn’t considered in the picture until recently, but the Vols have made a significant move,” On3 Sports’ Keegan Pope wrote on Tuesday. “He tripped to Knoxville in April as part of a busy spring visit schedule that included stops at Clemson, Florida, Alabama, Auburn and LSU.”
Since Osborne released the top ten on Mar. 14, Tennessee has been making waves on the recruiting trail. Just about a week after Osborne’s announcement, Tennessee received a commitment from five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Not to mention the Vols have also added commitments from four-star edge rusher Caleb Herring and four-star safety Sylvester Smith. Tennessee has also been skyrocketing up the prediction charts for five-star wide receiver Carnell Tate, whose prediction now sits at 60.5 percent in favor of Tennessee.
