TENNESSEE VOLS FOOTBALL: Georges chooses Rocky Top

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One of the most intense recruiting battles involving the Tennessee football team recently came to a head Wednesday when running back David Gabriel Georges chose the Volunteers over Ohio State and Ole Miss.

The 6-foot, 210-pound Georges, who will be a senior at The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., this fall, is considered a five-star prospect by all the recruiting services.

According to several reports, it was Tennessee’s recently-signed affiliation with adidas that may have made the difference. Top two contenders Tennessee and Ohio State, reportedly, each offered $2 million a year NIL deals. Adidas was said to have sweetened the pot with an extra $1 million. Allegedly, Ohio State’s Nike deal did not call for matching funds.

If those numbers are accurate, the deal would break all the NIL records for running backs.

Now, all the Volunteers have to do is keep Georges’ commitment until the early signing day in December. The commitment he made Wednesday is a non-binding agreement.

Georges’ arrival comes at the right time for the Volunteers. Though DeSean Bishop would have another year of eligibility, all indications are that this would be his last year on Rocky Top.

Last season, Georges rolled up 1,749 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. 

He is the last of the elite players in the Class of ’27  to make a college decision. Georges is ranked as the No. 10 player overall and No. 2 running back in the class.

The 18-year-old is originally from Quebec, Canada. He is of Haitian descent.

An uncle sent a tape of Georges to coaches at The Baylor School. It wasn’t until he got to Tennessee two years ago that he learned to speak English. Before that, he spoke only French.

He rushed for 984 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first season in 2024. Last year, he led The Baylor School to its first undefeated season in 50 years and a state championship.

He was named MaxPreps’ National Player of the Year, the first underclassmen to get that honor since JT Daniels in 2017. He was also the first Canadian to win the award.

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