The Tennessee Vols were gaining traction with an elite recruit, but it turns out it was all a big tease
The Tennessee Volunteers looked like they were in the mix to land an elite recruit from the west coast, but UT is no longer in the mix according to a recent recruiting update.
After missing out on a couple of 2027 five-star wide receivers, the Tennessee Vols turned their attention to 2027 four-star wide receiver Osani Gayles.
Gayles, who plans to commit on June 27, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 5 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 34 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.
The coveted wide receiver was planning to take an official visit to Tennessee this weekend.
“Alabama has generated plenty of buzz with IMG Academy receiver Osani Gayles,” reported On3’s Chad Simmons on Thursday. “Tennessee wants to change that. The California native spent last weekend at Washington and now heads to Knoxville before a scheduled trip to Notre Dame. The Volunteers have consistently remained in the conversation, so we will see how hard they push this weekend.”
Unfortunately for the Vols, Gayles is no longer planning to make the trip to Knoxville.
“A source close to Gayles tells 247Sports that he has canceled visit plans to Tennessee for this weekend,” reported 247Sports’ Zach Blostein on Thursday evening.
Why is Tennessee missing out on some top wide receivers as of late?
The Vols, who already have a commitment from 2027 four-star wide receiver Kesean Bowman, clearly want to add another wide receiver to their 2027 recruiting class.
But after missing on Gayles and five-stars Easton Royal and Eric McFarland, some fans are wondering what’s going on.
Ultimately, I believe this is just a byproduct of the NIL era.
Tennessee has a stockpile of young wide receiver talent on the roster (plus Bowman on the way in 2027). We already know the Vols are no longer going all-in on recruits that they don’t believe will help the program immediately.
“Tennessee is trying to get to the point where they’re not paying a ton of money — they’re not overspending — for players that aren’t going to play right away,” explained VolQuest’s Austin Price last month. “Or they’re not sure [if they] are going to play right away.”
Gayles, McFarland, and Royal are in a place where they can command top dollar as high school recruits. The Vols, though, don’t need to pay top dollar for another high school wide receiver right now (especially after landing the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation the last cycle in TK Keys).
Tennessee would’ve loved to have signed one of those receivers at the right price, but they were never going to break the bank for another high school receiver when they’re already planning to make a massive offer to five-star running back David Gabriel Georges — not to mention their recruiting needs at other positions.