Georgia Misses Out on In-State QB Derrick Baker, Who Commits to Tennessee
January was a busy month in Athens, as Georgia ramped up its recruiting efforts with a steady stream of high school talent making their way to campus. The Bulldogs hosted one of their marquee offseason recruiting events to close out the month, and while plenty of elite prospects walked through the doors, the early returns on commitments have been modest.
So far, just one recruit has given Georgia a verbal pledge. And while that might raise an eyebrow at first glance, it’s important to remember that we’re still in the early stages of the 2027 recruiting cycle.
For most players, decisions are still months-if not a full year-away. But one name that won’t be on Georgia’s commitment list?
Derrick Baker.
The Alpharetta, Georgia native, a three-star quarterback in the 2027 class, made the trip to Athens recently. Not long after, he chose to commit to SEC rival Tennessee.
And he didn’t leave much room for interpretation, saying, *“I’m going to look good in orange.” *
Baker is ranked No. 539 nationally in the 247Sports Composite, the No. 37 quarterback in the class, and the No. 62 player in the state of Georgia. He’s not a top-tier blue-chip prospect-at least not yet-and he wasn’t Georgia’s top quarterback target. But this one still stings a bit.
Why? Because losing an in-state player, especially one you hosted on campus, to a conference rival always hits differently. Even if the staff wasn’t all-in on Baker, there’s a symbolic weight to watching a Georgia kid pick Tennessee-particularly after being on UGA’s campus just days prior.
It’s the kind of recruiting loss that doesn’t shift the balance of power on its own, but it’s a reminder that Tennessee is gaining ground. And while Baker will likely have to face Georgia a few times during his SEC career, recent history suggests those matchups won’t be easy for the Volunteers.
Still, Tennessee walks away with a win here. They secured a commitment from a quarterback Georgia had on their radar. And any time a rival lands one of your in-state targets, it’s something worth paying attention to-even if it’s not a five-star headline grabber.