Tennessee football's coaching staff is walking a tightrope right now, juggling the ever-evolving demands of the transfer portal while still keeping a firm grip on high school recruiting. And when it comes to the running back position, that balance is front and center.
This week, running backs coach De’Rail Sims made the trip west across the state to check in on one of the Vols’ top in-state targets: Asa Barnes. The 6-foot, 190-pound back out of Westview High School in Martin, Tennessee, has been steadily rising in the 2027 recruiting cycle. Barnes is already rated as a four-star prospect, coming in at No. 342 nationally and No. 27 among running backs in the 247 Composite rankings.
This wasn’t Tennessee’s first visit to see Barnes this month. Back on January 5, head coach Josh Heupel himself made the trip to Westview-an appearance that turned some heads, especially considering the buzz at the time about the Vols potentially pursuing Ty Simpson through the portal.
Simpson, of course, is a Westview alum, and his younger brother is currently enrolled there. So the visit had multiple layers, but make no mistake-Barnes was a key reason for the stop.
Barnes has been drawing attention from major programs across the country. His offer list already includes Alabama, Ohio State, USC, Florida State, Ole Miss, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Maryland, and Purdue.
That’s a who’s who of college football, and it speaks to just how much potential coaches see in his game. Tennessee’s continued presence in his recruitment signals that they’re not just interested-they’re invested.
But Barnes isn’t the only elite back in Tennessee’s sights. The Vols are also keeping close tabs on David Gabriel Georges, a five-star talent out of Baylor School.
Georges is ranked as the No. 13 player overall and the No. 2 running back in the 2027 class, per 247 Composite. He’s a game-changer with the kind of upside that can redefine a backfield.
Could Tennessee land both? It’s not out of the question.
The Vols didn’t sign a high school running back in the most recent cycle, which leaves the door open for multiple additions in 2027. They did add Tulane transfer Javin Gordon, who brings three years of eligibility to Knoxville.
And looking ahead, DeSean Bishop, Daune Morris, and Justin Baker are all expected to be in the mix in 2027 as well.
Still, the Vols know that building a deep, dynamic backfield takes more than just numbers-it takes top-tier talent. That’s why they’re putting in the work now, laying the foundation with guys like Barnes and Georges.
The competition is fierce, but Tennessee’s early and consistent presence in these recruitments shows they’re not planning to play catch-up. They’re aiming to lead.