No recruitment feels bigger right now for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols than five-star running back David Gabriel-Georges. Tennessee has made the in-state standout a priority for years, and now the countdown is on until his July commitment announcement.
Tennessee 4-star DB target sets commitment date and it's closer than expected
Tom Loy of 247Sports has reported that July 22 is officially going to be the commitment day for Gabriel Georges. The five-star tailback will decide between Ohio State, Tennessee, Georgia, and Ole Miss, but Ohio State and Tennessee have separated themselves from the pack.
Tennessee target and 2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges is planning a commitment date, per @TomLoy247 🍊
— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) May 13, 2026
“The big-time back is set to commit on July 22,” wrote 247Sports’ Tom Loy. “The finalists are Ohio State, Tennessee, Georgia, and Ole Miss.”
The six-foot, 220… pic.twitter.com/2PDC1vfwo2
David Gabriel Georges sets July 22 commitment day
Josh Heupel and De'Rail Sims have about nine weeks left to make their final push for David Gabriel-Georges. He’s been to Knoxville so many times it feels impossible to count, and Tennessee has clearly made him their No. 1 priority.
I’m confident that David Gabriel-Georges likes Tennessee, but the real question is whether he likes Tennessee more than Ohio State. Assuming the NIL offers are fairly similar, which they probably are, Tennessee still has a lot to compete against when going head-to-head with Ohio State. It’s true that the Vols have developed several standout running backs recently, including Jaylen Wright, Dylan Sampson, and DeSean Bishop, but Ohio State also has an elite history of producing top running back talent.
When you really break it down, the path to early playing time appears much better at Tennessee than it does at Ohio State. In Columbus, both Bo Jackson and Isaiah West are sophomores, meaning David Gabriel-Georges would likely spend at least his freshman season buried on the depth chart. It’s also unlikely that both players will leave early for the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, DeSean Bishop is expected to move on after this season, potentially giving Gabriel-Georges an opportunity to compete for the starting role from day one in Knoxville.
Tennessee running backs Daune Morris and Javin Gordin are both solid players, but neither is a game-changer, or at least yet. Gabriel George is a game-changer, as he possesses a build that was made in a video game. He has the perfect blend of size at 6-foot, 205 pounds, speed at sub-4.40, and power to run over defenders. He's the perfect running back and has NFL potential written all over him. He could start at Tennesse frm day one, he's that talented.
Looking at the bigger picture, there is always an ache in Ole Miss or George's swooping in, but it probably isn't like that. This will come down to two heavyweights battling it out round by round for the pledge of Gabriel Georges. However, the harsh reality is that if the Vols don't end up landing Gabriel Georges, it will hurt badly. Tennessee has spent countless hours recruiting him, and seeing a potential star go to Ohio State from your backyard will hurt.
All's Tennessee can do now is recruit Gabriel Georges the best they can, knock it out of the park on his June 5 official visit, and give him a strong NIL offer.
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