'It’s very rare to find that' - Elite 5-star recruit explains the top reason he's considering the Tennessee Vols

The Tennessee Vols are one of several programs in the mix for 2026 five-star offensive lineman Darius Gray. 

Gray, 6-foot-3/285 lbs from Richmond, VA, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the nation and the No. 16 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. 

The LSU Tigers are viewed as the favorites for Gray, but Tennessee, Clemson, Ohio State, and South Carolina are also threats to land the talented offensive lineman. 

One of the big reasons why the Vols are in the mix is because of the continuity on Tennessee's coaching staff, something that Gray says is "rare". 

Gray recently mentioned the continuity between Vols head coach Josh Heupel and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee as something that stands out about Tennessee. 

"Coach (Josh) Heupel and Coach (Glen) Elarbee, their longevity together. I think it’s their 10th season coming up and it’s very rare to find that," said Gray to On3. "I think that’s very important and the class they’re building you can tell they’re going to be a National Championship team in the next few years."

Heupel, who was hired by Tennessee in early 2021, is entering his fifth season as the Vols' head coach. Five assistant coaches from Heupel's inaugural staff are still at Tennessee (Elarbee, Tim Banks, Joey Halzle, Rodney Garner, and Willie Martinez). That's a remarkable level of continuity, and it's something that clearly stands out to recruits. 

Continuity is not only important when it comes to player development, but it's also important when it comes to player acquisition, as it ensures that recruits and transfers are hearing a consistent message from the coaching staff.