Volunteers Target In-State 4★ RB David Gabriel Georges for 2027 Class

Volunteers Target In-State 4★ RB David Gabriel Georges for 2027 Class

 

The Tennessee Volunteers are wasting no time in staking their claim for one of the most promising young prospects in the state of Tennessee—and perhaps the entire nation. As the 2027 recruiting cycle begins to heat up, the Vols have zeroed in on a familiar and critical goal: keep top in-state talent within state lines. Their latest focus is four-star running back David Gabriel Georges, a dynamic athlete out of Baylor School in Chattanooga. Despite only recently entering the high school football spotlight, Georges has already positioned himself as a marquee name in recruiting circles, and Tennessee is making an aggressive push to establish itself as the early frontrunner.

 

Standing at 6 feet and weighing in around 200 pounds, Georges has the kind of prototypical build and physical profile that major programs covet in a feature back. But his appeal goes beyond measurables. Georges has shown extraordinary field vision, natural acceleration, and an ability to absorb contact and continue driving forward that belies his age. He runs with a combination of power and finesse, smoothly changing direction while still being able to lower his shoulder into defenders. At a program like Baylor School—renowned in Tennessee for producing top-tier athletes—Georges has already separated himself with breakout performances that turned heads across the Southeast. Recruiters from powerhouse schools like Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Florida State have all taken notice, extending early offers to the Chattanooga product. But it’s Tennessee who first saw something in Georges, and that impression has clearly stuck.

 

The Volunteers’ early engagement has already made an impact. Georges has spoken publicly on multiple occasions about how Tennessee was the first to believe in him as a true Division I prospect. It’s the kind of thing that resonates with a young player, especially one whose support system values loyalty and trust. “They saw me before I had a chance to compete,” Georges said in an interview after one of his recent visits to Knoxville. “That’s meant a lot to me.” In recruiting, especially at the elite level, establishing early and meaningful connections can make all the difference. Tennessee’s staff has worked to ensure that their presence isn’t just symbolic—it’s personal. Position coach De’Rail Sims has been particularly instrumental in building that relationship, spending time not only with David but with his family as well. That family-centered approach has left a strong impression. “They’ve been talking with my uncle and my auntie a lot… That’s pretty nice,” Georges commented when asked about Tennessee’s outreach. “It makes me feel like they actually care about the people around me, not just me as a player.”

 

It’s a smart strategy by Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and his recruiting team. For years, the Volunteers have faced criticism for letting top in-state talent slip away to SEC rivals. Under Heupel, that trend has begun to reverse, and targeting Georges early could be the latest example of how Tennessee intends to lock down their borders. Heupel has built an identity around an explosive offensive system that caters to high-upside skill players—especially at the running back and wide receiver positions. For Georges, the idea of playing in a high-tempo, spread-based offense that emphasizes space and creativity has to be appealing. “It’s an offense that gives playmakers a chance to shine,” one source close to the Georges family said. “David wants to go somewhere that’s going to showcase his full skill set—not just hand him the ball and run him into a wall.” In that sense, Tennessee’s scheme is arguably one of the better fits for a player of Georges’ talents. The Vols like to get their backs involved in the passing game, stretching the field horizontally as well as vertically. Georges has already demonstrated soft hands and a good feel for spacing in limited reps as a pass-catcher at Baylor. Coaches believe he can become a legitimate dual-threat back at the college level, capable of lining up in the slot, motioning out wide, or contributing in the screen game—all traits that make him ideal for Heupel’s system.

 

Georges’ recruitment began gaining serious traction during his freshman year, but it wasn’t until he attended Tennessee’s game against Florida that he truly began to understand the magnitude of the Vols’ interest—and the atmosphere they could offer. “I was impressed with how big Neyland Stadium was,” he said, recalling his experience inside one of college football’s most iconic venues. “It was so loud… made my first impression great.” That kind of game-day energy, combined with the proximity to home, gives Tennessee a built-in edge. For many recruits, the opportunity to play in front of friends and family in a stadium that seats over 100,000 fans is something that carries emotional weight. Georges hasn’t made any final decisions, but he hasn’t been shy about Tennessee’s status in his recruitment. “For me, they are a top team,” he said. “They were the first to believe in me. That means something.”

 

Still, Tennessee is far from the only school in the mix. Notre Dame, always a formidable recruiting presence with its national brand and academic prestige, extended an offer earlier this spring after a call from running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider. Other schools reportedly keeping close tabs on Georges include Georgia, who have churned out NFL-level running backs for more than a decade; Ohio State, who continue to compete for top-10 classes every cycle; and USC and Oregon, two of the biggest players on the West Coast now armed with Big Ten exposure. Each of those programs offers something different, and Georges seems content to take his time evaluating all options. Sources say that while Tennessee holds an early lead in familiarity and comfort, Georges and his family plan to take multiple visits over the next year. Trips to Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon are reportedly in the planning stages, and Georges may even take in a few summer camps to compete with other top backs in his class.

 

There’s no official timetable for a commitment, and it’s likely that Georges will stretch the process into at least the early part of his junior year. In today’s recruiting landscape, early commitments can lead to second thoughts, especially as NIL opportunities and depth chart evaluations evolve over time. However, Tennessee is uniquely positioned to maintain momentum due to its in-state ties and the consistency of its message. “They’ve been honest with us since day one,” one family member said. “They aren’t pushing anything crazy or trying to rush David into a decision. They’re just letting him know how much he means to them.” That message is reinforced by Tennessee’s recent recruiting success. The Vols have landed several top-100 prospects over the last two cycles and are building a strong offensive nucleus for the future. If they can continue to show on-field progress in 2025 and 2026, it will only strengthen their appeal to someone like Georges, who wants to win, develop, and make it to the next level.

 

There’s also a growing sense among local media and high school coaches that Georges could become the kind of cornerstone figure in Tennessee’s 2027 class that fans rally around. He’s articulate, confident without being cocky, and well-liked among his peers. Those close to him describe him as a “program-changer,” not just in terms of talent, but in terms of the energy and leadership he brings. One Baylor assistant coach compared him to former Vols great Alvin Kamara, noting their similar running styles and creative versatility. “He just has a natural feel for space,” the coach said. “You can’t teach that. It’s something the great ones have.” Comparisons to NFL stars are always premature when it comes to high school underclassmen, but the buzz surrounding Georges is undeniable. Several scouting services have pegged him as one of the early candidates to be the No. 1 running back in the 2027 cycle, and he’s already drawing national media attention.

 

Tennessee fans are well aware of what’s at stake. In a competitive SEC recruiting environment where every school is fighting for elite playmakers, keeping someone like Georges in the fold would send a message—not just to future recruits, but to the rest of the conference. It would signify that the Vols can close the deal on top-tier, homegrown talent without letting Alabama or Georgia swoop in at the last minute. It would also likely trigger a domino effect, encouraging other top in-state and regional recruits to join the class. Momentum in recruiting can be fleeting, but when a program lands a foundational piece early, it often helps stabilize the rest of the cycle. For Tennessee, Georges could be that piece.

 

Of course, nothing is certain in modern recruiting. The introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities has changed the calculus for many top athletes. While Georges and his family have not publicly emphasized NIL as a primary factor, it’s an element that will likely play some role in the decision-making process. Tennessee has invested heavily in creating a competitive NIL infrastructure, particularly through collectives and booster-backed initiatives aimed at retaining and attracting talent. That might give the Vols an edge down the line, especially if Georges becomes a national name by his junior year.

 

For now, the key for Tennessee is simple: stay the course. Continue building the relationship, showcase the program’s trajectory, and let the connections already formed do their work. With Georges already speaking highly of the Vols and continuing to make trips back to campus, the foundation is solid. What comes next will depend on how Tennessee performs on the field, how other programs pursue Georges, and how the young running back continues to grow, both physically and mentally. But if the early signs are any indication, the Volunteers are firmly in the driver’s seat. And in a recruiting world that moves fast and rewards early momentum, that’s exactly where they want to be.

 

David Gabriel Georges may only be beginning his high school journey, but his recruitment is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched in the country. For Tennessee, the mission is clear: don’t let him leave the state. So far, they’ve done everything right. Time will tell whether it’s enough to keep him in orange and white.