SerpApi.Org
Five-star running back David Gabriel Georges committed to Tennessee football over Ohio State and Ole Miss during a live CBS College Sports YouTube stream from his ceremony at Chattanooga's Baylor School on July 22.
Gabriel Georges, a 6-foot, 220-pound rising senior at Baylor, is the No. 2 running back in the 2027 class nationally and No. 10 overall player, according to the 247Sports Composite.
The Quebec native was one of the most sought-after prospects this cycle and one of the biggest commits in Tennessee coach Josh Heupel's tenure.
Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.
Gabriel Georges rushed for 1,756 yards and 26 touchdowns on 163 carries last season while leading Baylor to the DII-AAA state title, despite being limited midseason with an ankle injury. He also won the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award for the second consecutive season.
He had 114 carries for 1,103 yards and 14 TDs as a sophomore.
Physically, Gabriel Georges already looks ready for college. Baylor coach Erik Kimrey, who won 12 state titles at Hammond (South Carolina) and spent two seasons coaching tight ends at South Carolina for coach Shane Beamer, told The Tennessean in 2025 that Gabriel Georges is the best high school running back he has ever coached.
Kimrey added that the running back as a junior could have started for most colleges.
Several runs during Gabriel Georges' junior year went viral, including a 435-yard, seven-TD performance against McCallie in the TSSAA football state semifinals. Social media was buzzing again during the offseason with a popular video that showed him deadlifting more than 700 pounds with a trap bar.
What David Gabriel Georges said during commitment to Tennessee football
Gabriel Georges spent a minute before his decision on live stream to thank the coaches who recruited him. He said it was “probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life and it was not taken lightly.”
Flanked by five family members and with three hats in front of him, Gabriel Georges allowed his sister to announce his decision into the microphone before he pulled a Tennessee hat over his head.
“They (Tennessee) really made it feel like home. Just being around those people and talking with the strength and conditioning coach, I just feel like it would be a great place for me and a great fit,” Gabriel Georges told 247Sports’ Tom Loy, who moderated the ceremony. “(Heupel) made clear he really wanted me on the team and wanted me as a weapon. I think that’s what really was the best thing.”
Tennessee running backs coach De'Rail Sims also played a factor.
“English is my second language,” said Gabriel Georges, a French-speaking Canadian. “So during those meetings (with Sims) he showed me ways I can learn and just be able to talk with him. If I don’t understand something, he translates it for me.”
Gabriel Georges was asked if he had any message for Tennessee fans.
“Really grateful and thank you all for all the support,” he said. “All I can say is I'll always try to get better at what I do.”
Breaking down David Gabriel Georges commitment decision
Tennessee has been closely involved in Gabriel Georges’ recruitment for years. He consistently mentioned Heupel and the Vols among his favorite schools.
Heupel was already on the sideline watching Gabriel Georges warm up more than an hour before Baylor's game at Brentwood Academy in 2025 before the game was canceled due to lightning.
The Vols emerged as the leader this week, with Rivals' recruiting prediction machine giving Tennessee a 92.1% chance of beating out Ohio State and Ole Miss. The past two days, five On3 and Rivals recruiting insiders picked the Vols as the favorite.
Gabriel Georges, whose widely accepted nickname is simply “DGG,” even had SEC media days abuzz in Tampa, Florida.
Heupel isn't allowed to talk about recruits until they officially sign, but he was asked by former Vols basketball star Ron Slay about Gabriel Georges in an interview on Nashville's WGFX on July 20.
"Best back that you've seen in high school," Slay asked, "Jamal Lewis or DGG?"
Heupel could only laugh. "What are you talking about, man?" He finished by saying, "I can't even answer that question."
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at [email protected] and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
He also contributes to The Tennessean's high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: David Gabriel Georges, 5-star RB, picks Tennessee football over Ohio State, Ole Miss
