Just when Tennessee needed some good recruiting news, it has seemingly gotten worse with the Vols' top target overall, regardless of position. For the entire 2027 recruiting cycle, Josh Heupel and Tennessee have treated five-star running back David Gabriel Georges as one of their top targets. Lately, though, it feels like he could be slipping away from the Vols.
Pete Nakos signals who has the edge in Tennessee’s QB race
Things, however, have gone from bad to worse. Following his official visit to Ohio State this past weekend, Gabriel Georges received a prediction from Rivals to eventually land with the Buckeyes. Momentum in this recruitment has seemed to be trending toward Ohio State for a while, and this prediction is the latest sign that the Buckeyes may be pulling ahead.
NEW 🚨 5⭐️ RB David Gabriel-Georges has received his second prediction to land at Ohio State following his weekend visit.
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) June 1, 2026
Momentum continues to build for the Buckeyes in one of the nation’s biggest recruiting battles. 👀🌰🏈 pic.twitter.com/KgLtiPchyX
Josh Heupel needs to flip the script quick for Tennessee
The Vols have been getting their own around on the recruiting trail lately, and this is another guy to add to the pile. Since official visits have started, the Vols still haven't landed any new commits, and the clock is starting to tick.
Even if things are trending towards Columbus, the good thing for Tennessee is that this recruitment is far from over. David Gabriel Georges will be in Knoxville this weekend, giving the Vols a chance to make a big impression. It won’t be easy to beat Ohio State, especially with the momentum they have right now, but if Tennessee can put together a strong visit, present a solid NIL offer, and make Georges feel like the centerpiece of the class, they still have a shot.
One thing Tennessee still has going for it is its track record at running back. De'Rail Sims and Josh Heupel have done a really good job developing players at the position, and the Vols have had no shortage of productive backs over the years. Tennessee’s offense has also started to incorporate more pro-style concepts, which should only help running backs showcase their skills. On top of that, Heupel isn’t afraid to lean on one back and let him carry the load. That makes Tennessee a very appealing option. I also get why Ohio State is attractive, too, but Tennessee isn't far off when it comes to running back development.
In today’s recruiting landscape, anything can happen, but if Tennessee loses out on Gabriel Georges, it would be a major disappointment for the Vols. Georges has been the top priority for Tennessee and Josh Heupel in the 2027 class. With the 2026 class not featuring a true star running back prospect, missing on Georges would sting even more. He has the talent to compete for playing time early in Knoxville, but if he ultimately ends up at Ohio State, Tennessee will be left wondering what could have been after years of recruiting effort.
Tennessee has put a lot of effort into recruiting Baylor School over the years, and it paid off when the Vols landed five-star Gabriel Osenda in the last cycle. That’s why losing another top in-state prospect to Ohio State would sting a lot. The good news? Tennessee still has a chance to change the narrative this weekend. Heupel and the staff need to knock this visit out of the park and regain some momentum. If they can’t, the Vols could end up losing their biggest target in the class.
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