Matt Johnson
The Tennessee Volunteers entered July ranked 33rd in the latest On3 2027 football team recruiting rankings ahead of a critical stretch this summer. One player who could change that ranking dramatically is five-star running back David Gabriel Georges.
Georges, a consensus five-star recruit, is widely rated as the second-best running back prospect in the 2027 class. Rivals.com evaluated him as the 24th-best recruit in the nation, and 247 Sports places him 12th in the 2027 crop.
Related: Tennessee Volunteers Predicted to land Standout Recruit
While dozens of programs have competed for him, reports this summer have indicated it’s largely a two-program battle between Tennessee and the Ohio State Buckeyes. With his decision date nearing, however, a front-runner has seemed to emerge.
Rivals‘ nine insiders recently made predictions for which program lands Georges’ commitment. Of those polled, six picked him to land with Ohio State with three beleiving he winds up with Tennesse.
That’s quite the change from the buzz regarding the situation in June. Previous reporting had suggested that the Vols were the “team to beat” to land the standout ball-carrier. Evidently, things have changed in recent weeks.
One thing to note is the prediction made by Greg Biggins, who picked Tennessee for Georges. He wrote that the Volunteers “will likely put the highest NIL offer ever for a running back on the table” as part of their pitch. That cost will be north of $1 million per season. Even if Josh Heupel lands the commitment of the five-star back, however, Biggins said he wouldn’t be shocked if Georges later flips.
The Volunteers’ coaching staff has recent experience with being on the wrong end of a five-star running back’s decision. Last year, the program made a heavy push for Savion Hiter, but he signed with the Michigan Wolverines.
If Tennessee loses out on Georges’ commitment this summer, the program will certainly try to flip him before National Signing Day. However, Heupel and his staff could also turn their attention to one of the many four-star running back recruits who have already committed to other programs.
