Tennessee football secures commitment from top-rated four-star interior offensive lineman
Tennessee football achieved a significant recruiting success last week with the commitment of Charles House, a four-star defensive lineman from Charlotte, North Carolina. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound athlete chose the Volunteers over SEC competitors Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Georgia.
On Monday, Josh Heupel and the Vols secured another important commitment with the announcement of elite four-star interior offensive lineman Douglas Utu. The Las Vegas, Nevada native chose Tennessee over prominent programs such as Alabama, Michigan, Nebraska, and Washington.
Utu shared his decision on Twitter/X, stating, “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 rates Douglas Utu, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound interior lineman from Bishop Gorman High School, as the second-best player in Nevada, the third-best interior offensive lineman, and the 53rd overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.
According to Charles Power, On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings, Utu has been a standout at Bishop Gorman High School, predominantly playing tackle despite being projected as an interior lineman in the long term. He is noted for his polished skills in pass protection, having gained significant experience in competitive football at a high level. Physically developed and versatile, Utu is considered a solid athlete with the ability to potentially play multiple positions on the offensive line at the college level.
Utu becomes the third offensive lineman to commit to Tennessee’s 2025 recruiting class, which is shaping up to be highly regarded if all commitments hold. Alongside Antoni Ogumoro and Nic Moore, Utu strengthens Josh Heupel’s focus on recruiting top talent for both offensive and defensive lines.
With Utu’s commitment, Tennessee’s 2025 recruiting class rises to No. 12 nationally, featuring a mix of seven three-star, six four-star, and one five-star recruits. The Vols currently rank ahead of notable programs such as Michigan, Penn State, and SEC rivals Texas, Ole Miss, and Missouri in recruiting efforts.
