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5-star IOL Darius Gray on Tennessee official visit

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•06/07/25•

HunterShelton_

Darius Gray 6 copy 1.jpg

It’s a loaded weekend on Rocky Top as top prospects flock to Tennessee for official visits. Perhaps the biggest name on campus this weekend is Richmond (Va.) St. Christopher’s five-star interior offensive lineman Darius Gray.

The 6-foot-2.5, 285-pounder has arrived in Knoxville to spend time around head coach Josh Heupel and the SEC program:

Gray’s recruitment is hotly contested. He’s amidst a jam-packed official visit schedule, perhaps the biggest of any blue-chip prospect this cycle. He’s already been to Virginia Tech, Virginia, Georgia and Clemson.

After the Vols, Auburn, Ohio State, LSU, Penn State and South Carolina are all scheduled to get him on campus this month. Gray is weighing just about all of his options before entering decision mode.

The focus this weekend is on Tennessee, though. Gray took a spring visit to Knoxville back in March and it was the atmosphere that left him wanting to return and give Heupel’s program a closer look. OL coach Glen Elarbee is leading the charge for the Vols.

“Had an amazing time there and cant wait to be back. The family atmosphere here was the biggest standout for me and my family. Coach Elarbee’s patience while coaching is definitely my favorite thing about it,” Gray told On3’s Steve Wiltfong after the spring trip. “He understands you mess up and instead of just ripping you he describes it in a better way. The visit was absolutely great. Loved it.”

LSU is the team trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine following a prediction from Wiltfong last month. South Carolina is right behind. Tennessee is looking to separate itself from the middle of the pack with a big visit this weekend.

Gray is the No. 23 overall prospect and No. 1 IOL in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 2 recruit in Virginia this cycle.

Tennessee looking to build recruiting momentum

This weekend and last weekend have both seen Knoxville flooded with blue-chip talent. Tennessee is looking to capitalize and build on an eight-man pledge list that currently ranks No. 12 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon has been committed since Aug. 3, 2024 and he remains fully locked in with the Vols. He is now the No. 13 overall prospect and No. 3 QB in the cycle.

Clearwater, Fla. native and Baylor School (Tenn.) four-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda pledged in January and is just outside the top 100. He’s one of four in-state four-stars in the class.

Knoxville Catholic four-star wide receiver Tyreek King is On3’s No. 10 pass-catcher. Cross Plains East Roberston four-star EDGE Zach Groves is the newest addition to the class following a May 21 commitment. Nashville DCA four-star tight end Carson Sneed has also been committed to the Vols since August.

Charlotte William Amos Hough three-star WR Tyran Evans, Metuchen (N.J.) Saint Joseph three-star EDGE CJ Edwards and Pike Road (Ala.) three-star linebacker Braylon Outlaw round out the class to date.