2025 4-star IOL Juan Gaston names top eight schools

Atlanta Westlake four-star interior offensive lineman Juan Gaston is one of the most coveted trench monsters in the 2025 cycle. After racking up a heap of offers, the 6-foot-7.5, 330-pounder has trimmed his list.

On Sunday evening, Gaston named his top eight schools: Florida State, Georgia, UCF, Tennessee, South Carolina, USC, Oregon and Texas.

Gaston is the No. 104 overall prospect and No. 3 IOL in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 15 player in Georgia.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), the Georgia Bulldogs have the best chance to land Gaston at 55%, while Tennessee is in second at 12.9%. UGA has had the coveted lineman on campus four times, including a recent trip at the beginning of June.

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Gaston feels prioritized by Georgia

The Bulldogs offered Gaston during his freshman year of high school. The long-standing relationships and the in-state factor are playing in favor of Kirby Smart and Co.

“I have a feeling that I’m one of their top priorities in this class,” Gaston told DawgsHQ. “The way they text me and check up on me makes me feel that way.”

His first trip to Athens was way back in October 2021. After a follow-up trip in Nov. 2022, Gaston has been back on campus twice in 2023 for two more unofficial visits.

“When I think about Georgia and their offensive tackles, it feels like I could go there and be a first-rounder,” Gaston said. “They’re good at winning and getting their team to be disciplined and they’re physical.”

“Now that I have been there a couple of times, I really like the coaches and how they win,” Gaston added on. “Winning is pretty big for me. I want to win championships, be developed and have the chance to go first round in the NFL Draft.”

Tennessee developing relationships with Gaston

The Volunteers also made the cut after making a big impression last October, when they took down Alabama in Knoxville. Gaston was in attendance for the monumental win, then returned at the end of July earlier this summer.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and the Vols staff have done the same as Georgia and prioritize the huge prospect. They too have gotten Gaston’s attention.

“It was exciting,” Gaston said of the visit. “Getting to play mini-golf against the head coach, do a facilities tour and take a photo shoot was all good…

“The relationship I have with the coaches and the players are the main things that are important to me.”