Alberto Osuna transferred to join Tennessee baseball two weeks before the Vols 2025 season opener.
The former North Carolina first baseman is seeking eligibility at the Division I level, but expects to land eligibility to play for the defending national champions. He arrived in Knoxville on Saturday and was already enrolled. The Vols open the eighth season under coach Tony Vitello on Feb. 14 against Hofstra at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Here is what to know about Osuna:
Will Alberto Osuna be eligible at Tennessee?
The expectation is that Osuna will regain eligibility at the Division I level due to his two years in junior college at Walters State. He is seeking eligibility through the NCAA granting blanket waivers to former junior college transfers following the Diego Pavia lawsuit. He will have to be granted eligibility to play this season.
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Pavia, the Vanderbilt quarterback and former junior college transfer, was granted a preliminary injunction that will allow him an extra year of eligibility. The NCAA Division I Board of Directors then approved an additional year of eligibility for junior college transfers who otherwise would have exhausted their eligibility following the 2024-25 season.
Osuna transferred to Division II juggernaut Tampa and spent the fall with the Spartans believing his Division I eligibility had expired.
Will Alberto Osuna start at first base for the Vols?
Tennessee didn’t have a true first baseman on its roster in the fall. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound Osuna fills the gap as an experienced first baseman, which was the least-settled spot in the lineup. He also has been a designated hitter.
Senior Alex Perry was the potential starter after fall baseball, but he stepped away from the program in January to deal with a personal matter. Junior Dalton Bargo, freshman Levi Clark and redshirt freshman Stone Lawless are the leading options as the roster stands. Andrew Fischer is a third baseman, but stands as a possibility at the other corner.
Why Alberto Osuna is a key addition for Tennessee
Osuna is a proven bat at the highest levels of college baseball, which translates to Tennessee or anywhere. He hit .259 with 45 homers and 140 RBIs in three seasons at UNC.
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Tangibly, he is a power-hitting right-handed bat beyond what Tennessee has in its likely starting lineup. Dean Curley and Hunter Ensley both are double-digit home run threats. Osuna has proven to be a powerful force for years. He also can help balance Tennessee’s lefty-dominant lineup.
Intangibly, Osuna has experience at the highest levels and has been on winning teams. He hit in the middle of the UNC lineup last season and reached the College World Series. Walters State is a junior college power. He fits in well with Tennessee in that respect.
He hit .281 with 14 homers and 56 RBIs last season on North Carolina’s College World Series team
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
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