The wait is almost over for Tennessee fans, but the latest buzz around five-star running back David Gabriel Georges suggests the finish line may already be in sight.
Georges, one of the most coveted prospects in the country, has been at the center of a major recruiting fight for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee staff. The Vols have poured serious time into the Baylor School standout, and this pursuit has stood out as one of the biggest Tennessee has faced since Heupel arrived in Knoxville. With Tennessee’s class not looking especially strong on paper, landing Georges would be a massive win.
His recruitment has narrowed to Tennessee, Ohio State and Ole Miss, though for much of the process it has felt like a two-team showdown between the Vols and the Buckeyes. Now, according to Steve Wiltfong of On3, Georges has already made his choice, even though he is not set to announce until July 22.
That means Tennessee fans are left waiting for the formal reveal, but the important part may already be settled behind the scenes.
The appeal in Knoxville is easy to see. Georges would not just arrive as a headline addition to the class - he could quickly become a centerpiece of the roster too. Heupel has shown he can put his running backs in positions to succeed, and Tennessee’s depth chart gives Georges a clearer route to major playing time than he would find in Columbus.
At Ohio State, the path looks more crowded. Isiah West and Bo Jackson are both sophomores and are expected back next season, which would leave Georges battling through a deeper room before he could rise to the top. He is talented enough to force the issue, but the competition is already in place.
In Knoxville, the opportunity looks much more immediate. With DeSean Bishop likely gone after next year, Georges could have a real chance to become Tennessee’s featured back early in his career.
Money is part of the picture too. Georges is reportedly set to make more than $1 million, making him the first high school running back to reach that number.
Tennessee has the NIL setup to stay in the fight, and the move to Adidas has only added to those possibilities. The Vols have had their NIL missteps before, but this is not the kind of player they can let slip away.
Georges is the sort of rare talent programs don’t get to chase every year, and Tennessee has clearly treated this as a must-win recruitment. Even after he makes his commitment, the school that comes up short is expected to keep pushing, so this one may not be truly finished until December. But for now, one program is sitting in a very strong position.
In Other News...
Vols And Lady Vols Just Put Tennessee Orange Front And Center
Tennessee Athletics spent the week putting a brighter shade of orange in the spotlight, rolling out new adidas uniforms across a wide swath of its programs. The reveal came with high-definition photos and detailed looks at football, mens basketball, Lady Vols basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball and soccer, giving fans a first real glimpse at how the new partnership is going to show up on the field and the court.
For coaches and athletic officials, the uniforms were only part of the message. The broader adidas deal was framed as a resource boost for the department, with leaders talking up the support and investment that could come with it. The visual reset is already doing its job, but the bigger question is how quickly that momentum turns into something more meaningful for Tennessees programs. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees Offensive Line Just Earned The Kind Of SEC Respect That Matters
With Tennessee likely turning to a new quarterback this season, the Volunteers are leaning on the one part of the offense that already looks established. Most of the offensive line is back, and that matters even more when the next passer in line is expected to be either George MacIntyre or Faizon Brandon, two young quarterbacks with limited college experience. In a league where protection and communication can make or break a season, Tennessees front has already drawn notice as one of the better units in the SEC.
Analyst Steven Lassan ranked the Vols line third in the conference, behind Georgia and Texas, which is the kind of recognition that usually comes with proven depth and continuity. Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee has also seen the benefit in spring practice, where returning pieces and experienced transfers have let the group move faster than a typical rebuild. The bigger question now is how that early stability translates once the games start and the pressure falls on a quarterback who has not taken many college snaps. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees First Orange Adidas Uniform Reveal Will Have Vols Talking
The first look at Tennessees orange home uniforms under Adidas has already given Vols fans a fresh talking point as the program opens a new chapter in its apparel partnership. The reveal marks the start of the Adidas era for Tennessee football, with the university rolling out the new look as part of a broader week of uniform unveilings and a July 10 date set for jerseys and merchandise to hit the market.
Josh Heupel has sounded upbeat about what the partnership can bring, pointing to the resources Adidas can provide and the reach of the Tennessee brand. More designs are still on the way, including white, Summitt Blue and Dark Mode looks, and the real intrigue now is how all of it will translate once the Vols start showing off the full set this fall. [Read more 🡒]