The June 5 official visit weekend is the biggest one yet for Josh Heupel and Tennessee’s staff. Quarterback commit Derrick Baker is on campus, but Georgia has been pushing hard in an attempt to flip him. The Vols also have a loaded group of safety prospects visiting, a key priority under the new defensive scheme led by Jim Knowles.
Vegas odds signal Tennessee football is closer to Texas than many may think
However, even with all the talent that's on campus one player stands out above the rest.
Five-star running back David Gabriel Georges is back in Knoxville this weekend for what feels like the hundredth visit. Most recent predictions still lean toward Ohio State, but if Tennessee can put together a strong weekend, they’ve got a real chance to flip the script.
In 2024, Gabriel Georges was the Tennessee Titans Division II-AA Mr. Football as a sophomore, and last season as a junior, he put up 1,756 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the top tailbacks in the country. He is rated as the No. 10 player in the country in the 2027 class by the 247Sports composite and has offers from every big-name program in the nation. The 6-foot, 205-pound running back is one of the best players in the country and projects as a future star.
Now it’s on Josh Heupel to close the deal. He’s been Tennessee’s top target for years, and this is the big moment. He's a must-land player for the Vols, given all the time and resources the staff has put into this recruitment.
Tennessee needs RB David Gabriel Georges in the 2027 class
It would be a huge gut punch if the Vols miss out on an in-state five-star at a position of need. If DeSean Bishop is gone next season, Gabriel Georges could make his way onto campus and start from day one. However, if Tennessee doesn’t land him, it becomes a moot point.
Josh Heupel and running backs coach De’Rail Sims have Tennessee in a good position with other talented running backs, but none of them seem to have the same “it factor” as Gabriel Georges. That’s what makes this recruitment so important, as the Vols have a potential star right in their own backyard. It would hurt even more to lose a Baylor School player to Ohio State, especially after Tennessee just landed five-star Gabriel Osenda last year.
After this weekend, Gabriel Georges still has two more visits scheduled with Georgia and Ole Miss, and those will likely not be key factors in his decision. Tennessee is going head-to-head with Ryan Day, and right now they’re on the outside looking in. However, a big visit can change everything, and it wouldn’t be insane for Tennessee to regain the lead. Much crazier things have happened in the world of recruiting, especially in the NIL era, where it's the wild west.
No matter what it takes ahead of Gabriel Georges’ July decision date, Tennessee and Josh Heupel must do everything possible to flip the script and secure his commitment.
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