Tennessee trending for coveted 4-star lineman Douglas Utu

Bishop Gorman (Nev.) four-star offensive lineman Douglas Utu has finished out his tour of summer official visits, knocking out trips to Washington, Michigan, Nebraska, Alabama and this weekend, Tennessee.

The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder will now go into decision-making mode, with hopes of announcing a commitment before his senior season begins in August. And with those trips in the rearview mirror, one team has jumped to the top of the list in his recruitment, per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Tennessee.

On Sunday, On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong logged an expert prediction in the Vols’ favor after Utu completed his visit to Knoxville. And with that being the only pick across the recruiting industry, Tennessee looks to be in pole position. And Utu himself says one school is No. 1 on his list right now.

“Tennessee is on top for me right now,” Utu told Volquest.

A national name since early in his high school career, Utu is the No. 53 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 3 interior offensive lineman and No. 2 recruit in Nevada.

Tennessee chasing a loaded offensive class with Utu and others

Josh Heupel and Co. are looking to load up in the trenches this cycle around top commit and Nashville (Tenn.) Brentwood five-star quarterback George MacIntyre.

The 6-foot-5.5, 185-pound MacIntyre is the No. 11 overall prospect in the nation. He chose the in-state program over Alabama and LSU, providing a major recruiting win for the staff on Rocky Top. Now, they’re looking to build around him.

They’ve already done so at the skill positions, with the additions of Southlake (Texas) Carroll four-star tight end Jack Van Dorselaer, Buford (Ga.) three-star running back Justin Baker and Memphis Sheffield four-star wide receiver Radarious Jackson.

But the offensive line is where they’d like to add a few more targets, including Utu. Earlier this month, they snagged a commitment from four-star in-state IOL Nic Moore, and they’re one of the top schools right now for Five-Star Plus+ OT David Sanders, the country’s No. 1 offensive tackle.

MacIntyre himself has been personally recruiting Sanders and was back in Knoxville during the coveted lineman’s official visit. The two have built a strong connection even prior to MacIntyre’s commitment.

“A lot of people think we (me and George) started talking when he committed to Tennessee. But that’s been one of my good friends for a little over six months,” Sanders told Volquest in February. “We play Fortnite and Madden, and I think I have a good relationship with him. Take Tennessee out of it, just us and our friendship is really good as a whole. We text occasionally, not even anything having to do with football, just checking up on each other. And I was very happy when he committed to Tennessee because I think he fits perfect in their offense. And he’s going to make them very, very good.”