Sports

NCAA Ruling Forces Tennessee To Pay Transfer Slugger To NOT Play Baseball

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Former UNC first baseman Alberto Osuna celebrates.

© Jeffrey Camarati-Imagn Images


The Tennessee baseball team secured the commitment of transfer first baseman Alberto Osuna this past offseason, eventually adding the slugger to the roster in January. Despite that signing, he will not suit up for the Vols this season.

Osuna has been in a legal battle with the NCAA over an eligibility dispute. He’s taken an unexpected path to get to Knoxville.

The infielder began his career at Walters State Community College. He transferred to North Carolina after two seasons. In all, Osuna has played collegiate five years. One does not count against him due to the 2020 COVID blanket waiver.

After three seasons in Chapel Hill, where he racked up 45 home runs, the slugger transferred to D2 Tampa believing that his eligibility at the D1 level had expired. The step down in competition allowed him to play without those four-year eligibility constraints.

During his first semester on campus, though, an NCAA ruling altered his trajectory. Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia sued the governing body. He received a temporary restraining order against the NCAA that allows him to play another season. A judge ruled that his time at JUCO shouldn’t count against his D1 eligibility.

Alberto Osuna believed his situation to be similar. After seeing the ruling, he transferred to Tennessee and lawyered up, landing a notable NIL payday in the process.

Osuna’s lawsuit builds around an antitrust claim as Pavia’s did, declaring the NCAA and its bylaws act in a manner that prevent Osuna from maximizing his potential both on the field and in NIL earnings. Osuna has already received an NIL opportunity at UT that exceeds any NIL opportunities he has previously had, according to the filing.

–USA Today

Osuna has been denied his extra season by the NCAA at every turn. He was not in the lineup on opening day. His chances of playing for the Vols took another hit Tuesday.

Tony Vitello was not happy with the Alberto Osuna ruling.

The most recent ruling came with Tennessee already three weeks into the 2025 season. Osuna’s latest injunction was denied. He remains ineligible.

Head coach Tony Vitello was asked about the situation after a 22-9 win over Radford. He pledged to make Osuna’s time in Knoxville “worth his while.”

Alberto Osuna was not in the order on Tuesday night. He was on the diamond, though. The slugger was spotted as on the field as a first base coach. Vitello is doing everything in his power to ensure he’s a part of the team.

For now, Tennessee will pay Alberto Osuna to NOT play baseball. His hopes of competing one more year at the D1 level have grown slimmer.