Recruiting analyst suggests the Tennessee Vols may have a slight lead in battle for elite 5-star recruit

The Tennessee Vols are in the midst of a recruiting battle against the Ohio State Buckeyes (and some other programs) for one of the nation's top 2027 recruits.

Five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, 6-foot/205 lbs from Chattanooga, TN (he's originally from Canada), is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 3 running back in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Tennessee. He's also rated as No. 34 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.

On3's Chad Simmons noted on Wednesday that sources believe Tennessee is slightly out in front in this recruiting battle.

"The dynamic running back has Tennessee and Ohio State battling at the top, but sources we talk to lean slightly toward the Vols," wrote Simmons.

Gabriel Georges is teammates at The Baylor School in Chattanooga with 2026 five-star offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda.

Osenda, who is also from Canada, has been committed to Tennessee since January.

David Gabriel Georges is set to visit Tennessee for the Vols' game against Georgia

Gabriel Georges is scheduled to be in Knoxville this weekend for the Vols' huge showdown against the Georgia Bulldogs.

The talented running back visited Tennessee for two games last season (the Vols' wins against Florida and Kentucky).

This recruiting battle is starting to feel like the one the Vols were involved in against Michigan for five-star running back Savion Hiter -- except this time, the top competition is the top team in the Big 10.

The Vols lost the battle for Hiter. But they can make up for that loss by landing Gabriel Georges. We'll see how this battle plays out over the next several months.

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