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The Tennessee baseball team landed a big name on the transfer market this offseason in former North Carolina 1B/DH Alberto Osuna. With the Tar Heels, he smacked 14 home runs last season to go along with 56 RBIs.
He was forced to leave UNC due to an eligibility issue. A decision during the football season, however, has provided new life to his college baseball career.
Diego Pavia was given extra eligibility when courts ruled that his JUCO seasons wouldn’t count against his D1 eligibility. The Vanderbilt QB will now be able to play one more year in the SEC.
Osuna has taken a similar path. He began his career at Walters State Community College before landing in Chapel Hill.
Osuna knows exactly what to do with a pitch up in the zone. pic.twitter.com/oV4fvUrn5b
— Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) March 31, 2024
After playing three seasons with the Tar Heels, he believed his eligibility was up.That led him to transfer out of UNC and into D2 program Tampa where he was a member of the team this past fall. After hearing of Pavia’s case, he opted to enter the transfer portal once again.
He signed with Tennessee with the expectation of being provided another season by the NCAA. He submitted a waiver days after joining the team. Unfortunately, not much has changed surrounding his status with the Vols.
Tony Vitello on the status of Alberto Osuna headed into opening weekend.
“As of now he is waiting for clearance of being eligible.” #Vols pic.twitter.com/DtuDFTLlkE
— Rylee Robinson (@ryleerobinsontv) February 11, 2025
He’s seen no movement in his case. He chose to lawyer up this week. Alberto Osuna filed a lawsuit seeking out that extra year of eligibility. He hopes to make the NCAA move a bit more quickly with Opening Day scheduled for Friday.
Another lawsuit has been filed against the NCAA’s eligibility rules.
Alberto Osuna Sanchez, a Tennessee baseball player who competed in JUCO, files suit claiming that his JUCO years should not be counted. He has a pending waiver with the NCAA to play an additional season. pic.twitter.com/1xa9NqFN4z
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 12, 2025
While Osuna hasn’t yet been ruled eligible to compete on the diamond this spring, he has been practicing with the team. In his brief time on campus, he’s been able to show off some serious pop.
Soooo… Alberto Osuna just crushed a homer into the porches in his second at-bat at Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/KvUpAiJguh
— Ben McKee (@benmckee14) February 4, 2025
Alberto Osuna’s future now rests in the hands of the NCAA. He’s taken legal action with hopes of getting to a decision sooner rather than later. The Volunteers hope to have him on the field this season. Given the Diego Pavia ruling, there’s a good chance it happens.