Tennessee fans are once again hoping that they can sway the recruiting odds with an artistic rendering on campus.
During his official visit to Tennessee on Friday, elite running back David Gabriel Georges posted a picture to his Instagram story of ‘The Rock’ in the center of UT’s campus. The painting has the Tennessee Power T in the center of a maple leaf, highlighting Gabriel Georges’ Canadian roots, along with a message: Bienvenue à la Maison. This roughly translates to “Welcome Home,” a common message that Tennessee fans paint to entice top recruits on their visits.
DGG is one of the most sought-after players in the class. Rivals has the 5-foot-11 running back listed as the No. 13 overall player, the No. 2 running back in the class, and the No. 1 player from the Volunteer State. While he’s originally from Quebec, Canada, the five-star back currently plays for Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN, making him an in-state target for the Vols.
Gabriel Georges is currently making his official visit rounds. He took an OV to Ohio State last weekend and is in Knoxville on Friday. The elite prospect will then head to Ole Miss and Georgia over the next two weekends before officially making his collegiate commitment on June 22.
The Vols seemingly need a strong showing during a big recruiting day in Knoxville on Friday, though. Since his official visit to the Buckeyes last weekend, two insiders from Rivals have both logged predictions for Gabriel Georges to land with Ohio State. Predictions aren’t the end-all, be-all by any stretch, but it does indicate that Ohio State may have gained some significant momentum last weekend in Columbus. Tennessee is also hosting 2027 quarterback commit Derrick Baker this weekend.
“Violent runner who pairs high-end vision with supreme tackle-breaking ability,” Rivals’ Charles Power writes about DGG in an evaluation. “Measured at around 5-foot-11, 200 pounds as a junior. Dominant runner on Friday nights, turning in a historic run of big-game performances as a junior while leading his team to a state title. Has a viscerally violent and aggressive running style. Plays with outstanding vision, setting up and reading blocks. A natural who can pick his way through the line of scrimmage with instincts and lateral agility. An absolute load to tackle at the second level with elite contact balance and power.”
More From RTI: Betting Lines Revealed for Five Key Tennessee Football Games in 2026 Season
Gabriel Georges is an incredibly talented prospect in the 2027 cycle and one that Tennessee hopes to keep in-state. He’s got the combination of size, speed, and power to be an elite running back in the SEC and a true difference-maker in whichever program he chooses.
Last month, Gabriel Georges posted a clip of himself running a 40-yard dash, which had a laser clock-in time at 4.38 seconds.
To put that number in perspective, it would’ve been tied for the 20th-best 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine this past March. It would also have been the fourth-best time among running backs at the combine, trailing only Mike Washington’s 4.33, Jeremiyah Love’s 4.36, and Demond Clairborne’s 4.37. The time is 0.11 seconds faster than Jadarian Price, who went as the final pick in the first round last weekend.
Rivals’ Team Predictions chart gives Ohio State an 93.9% chance in the race for Gabriel Georges, with Tennessee in second at 1.9%.
Tennessee currently has nine commitments in the 2027 cycle, which ranks 33rd in Rivals’ 2027 team rankings. The Vols’ class features four-star WR Kesean Bowman, four-star OT Princeton Uwaifo, four-star DL Kadin Fife, three-star safety Jaden Butler, three-star linebacker J.P. Peace, three-star quarterback Derrick Baker, three-star CB Slim Leavell, three-star CB Carter Jamison, and longsnapper Sam McKeown.
Momentum appears to be quickly growing with the Buckeyes, considering two of Rivals’ two analysts have submitted Ohio State predictions in the last few days. If Tennessee wants to begin changing the narrative, it’ll need to make a strong impression during a big recruiting weekend in Knoxville.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football recruiting news.
