David Gabriel Georges, the top high school football prospect in Tennessee, just trimmed his list of potential college destinations - and the Vols made the cut. On Monday evening, the five-star running back out of Baylor School in Chattanooga announced his top eight schools, with Tennessee joining a heavyweight group that includes Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Texas.
For Tennessee fans, this is a big moment. Georges isn’t just a local standout - he’s one of the crown jewels of the 2027 recruiting cycle.
According to the 247Sports Composite, he’s the No. 13 overall player in the nation and the No. 2 running back in his class. At 6 feet tall and 205 pounds, he’s already built like a college back, and his junior season only solidified his reputation as a game-changer.
Georges didn’t just produce - he dominated. He powered Baylor to a perfect 12-0 record and a Division II-AAA State Championship, earning Mr.
Football honors in the process. His semifinal performance against rival McCallie was the stuff of legend: 431 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 32 carries.
That’s not just a highlight reel - that’s a career game for most players.
And it wasn’t a one-off. Georges finished his junior campaign with 1,756 rushing yards and 27 total touchdowns, consistently torching defenses and showing the kind of burst, vision, and power that makes college coaches drool. He’s a complete back - able to run between the tackles, bounce it outside, and break away once he hits the second level.
Tennessee has made him a priority, and the interest appears mutual. Georges visited Knoxville twice this fall, attending the Vols’ home games against Arkansas and Oklahoma. He also made two spring visits, including a stop during the 865 Live recruiting weekend - a key event for Tennessee’s staff to connect with elite prospects.
But the Vols aren’t alone in the chase. Georges has also taken multiple visits to Georgia and Ohio State, two perennial recruiting powerhouses who are very much in the mix. Right now, it’s shaping up to be a battle between Tennessee and Ohio State, with both programs pushing hard for the blue-chip back.
There’s also been some high-profile attention on Georges this season. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, along with Vols legend Peyton Manning and baseball coach Tony Vitello, were all spotted watching him play. Manning has a personal connection - his son Marshall is an eighth-grader at Baylor - but the message is clear: Tennessee’s top brass is all-in on Georges.
As it stands, Tennessee’s 2027 recruiting class is off to a strong start, with four commitments already on board. That group includes four-star offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, four-star defensive lineman Kadin Fife, three-star cornerback Kamauri Whitfield, and three-star linebacker JP Peace. The class currently ranks 13th nationally and No. 5 in the SEC, according to 247Sports.
Landing Georges would be a massive addition - not just in terms of talent, but in setting the tone for the Vols’ 2027 class. He’s the kind of player who can be a foundational piece for a program. And with his recruitment heating up, Tennessee is firmly in the fight.