July 3, 2024

Tennessee football earns commitment from elite four-star interior offensive lineman

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Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers offensive line waits for the snap against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports / Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

 

Tennessee football had a big win on the recruiting trail last week with the commitment of four-star defensive lineman Charles House out of Charlotte, North Carolina. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman chose the Vols over SEC rivals Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Georgia.

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Josh Heupel and the Vols picked up another big commitment on Monday with the announcement of elite four-star interior offensive lineman Douglas Utu. The Las Vegas, Nevada player committed to the Vols over other national programs Alabama, Michigan, Nebraska, and Washington.

Utu announced his commitment on Twitter/X, saying, “Proud to be announcing that I will be committing my craft and talents to the University of Tennessee! You can’t spell UTU without UT! Go Vols!”

On3 Sports ranks the 6-foot-4, 315-pound interior lineman out of Bishop Gorman High School as the No. 2 player in Nevada, the No. 3 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 53 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class.

On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings, Charles Power, said Utu is “a standout on the offensive line at powerhouse Bishop Gorman for several seasons. Despite projecting inside long-term, Utu has primarily worked at tackle for Gorman. So he’s polished and experienced in pass protection.

“He’s also physically developed and is a prospect who comes into college with a higher floor, given the coaching and competitive football he’s played to this point. Utu is a solid athlete with versatility to play a few different spots on the line if needed.”

Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers offensive line waits for the snap against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

He is also the third offensive lineman to join what could be an elite offensive line class if they all stay together. Utu joins Antoni Ogumoro and Nic Moore in the 2025 class. Heupel has put an emphasis on bringing in top talent in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

 

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