Big O is staying in the Volunteer State.

Omari Thomas had his choice of joining nearly every school in the Southeast, but in the end, the allure to stay in Tennessee and play for the state’s flagship program was too much to pass up for the 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman from Memphis. Thomas announced his decision on Monday during a commitment ceremony at his Briarcrest Christian. The defensive lineman was also awarded his All-American Bowl jersey during the ceremony on Monday.

Rated as a four-star prospect, the No. 8 defensive tackle prospect in the nation and the No. 4 overall prospect in Tennessee by 247Sports Composite Rankings, Thomas picked Tennessee over Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.

Thomas’ pledge gives Tennessee 19 total commitments in the 2020 recruiting cycle with the Memphis native being the second-highest rated prospect in the class behind only Nashville defensive back Keshawn Lawrence. With Thomas joining Tennessee’s class, the Volunteers 2020 recruiting class now ranks No. 18 nationally.

To get an idea of what Thomas could bring to Jeremy Pruitt’s defense on Rocky Top, check out his junior season highlight reel with Briarcrest Christian: