Tennessee football won the recruiting battle for five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, and Ohio State is trying to cope with the loss.
On this podcast episode of "The Volunteer State," beat writer Adam Sparks and columnist John Adams discuss both sides of that result, including the potential impact of Gabriel Georges on the Vols in 2027 and his similarities to past UT running backs.
Plus, Sparks is back from SEC media days, where he talked to reporters who assume five-star freshman Faizon Brandon will win UT's quarterback competition over redshirt freshman George MacIntyre. Even some on the SEC Network set have made up their mind. But why?
And coach Josh Heupel may be hedging on his plan for picking the starting quarterback.
It's a loaded
podcast episode as the Vols approach the start of preseason practice on Aug. 5. To hear the full discussion, listen to the 61-minute podcast. Here are some highlights.
Could David Gabriel Georges play like Jamal Lewis, Chuck Webb?
Adams broke his own rule by watching highlight video of Gabriel Georges, and he was very impressed. Sparks said it's hard to see blemishes in Gabriel Georges' 435-yard, seven-TD performance against McCallie in the state semifinal.
They agreed that UT fans have obvious reasons to celebrate. The Baylor School standout has the body and skillset to impact the Vols immediately as a freshman in 2027.
That being said, a five-star rating doesn't guarantee All-SEC honors and future NFL success. Here are UT's five-star running backs in the 2000s: Bryce Brown (2009 class), Gerald Riggs (2002), Jabari Davis (2001), Cedric Houston (2001), Derrick Tinsley (2001).
Sparks and Adams spent more time talking about Chuck Webb, Travis Henry and Jamal Lewis. They played for UT before recruiting services were in wide use, but they could've been five-star prospects.
"All those guys panned out," Adams said. "I still think Chuck Webb is Tennessee's all-time best running back. His career was cut short by a horrible injury. But I think he could've won the Heisman if he hadn't been injured."
How have 5-star recruits fared under Josh Heupel?
Sparks is curious about how Heupel’s offense will utilize a five-star running back for the first time in his Tennessee tenure.
The Vols have touted a very productive rushing attack with Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright, Dylan Sampson and DeSean Bishop under Heupel. They all arrived at UT as three-star recruits.
Of course, Heupel has landed five-star recruits at other positions. Some panned out. Some haven't played yet. Some left UT before hitting their peak. Here's the list of those five-star prospects, according to 247Sports Composite:
- QB Faizon Brandon: Not played yet, entering freshman season.
- WR TK Keys: Not played yet, entering freshman season.
- OT David Sanders: So far, so good; 2025 Freshman All-American; 2026 preseason All-SEC.
- EDGE Jordan Ross: Growing into standout role, but transferred to LSU in 2026.
- WR Mike Matthews: Good steady career; 813 yards, four TDs in 2025; hoping for big junior year.
- QB Nico Iamaleava: Starter for playoff team in 2024; transferred to UCLA in 2025.
The most successful five-star recruit to play for Heupel at Tennessee was actually offensive tackle Darnell Wright, signed by former coach Jeremy Pruitt. Wright was All-SEC and a first-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears.
Sparks and Adams also discussed how Ohio State coped with losing the Gabriel Georges recruiting battle. That starts with a deadpan line from Adams: "I think everybody pretty much understands that Ohio State has one of the country's most arrogant fans bases, and there's not anything wrong with that."
To hear that chat, listen to the podcast.
What do SEC media think about Tennessee QB competition?
Sparks attended SEC media days at Tampa, where he discussed UT's quarterback competition with other reporters in the conference. He also took the temperature of those on the SEC Network set.
That kicked off this podcast discussion about Brandon vs. MacIntyre.
One development is that it appears Heupel might be adjusting his process of picking a starting quarterback.
At SEC media days, it sounded like he's leaving the door open to the possibility of naming a starter and then changing his mind after the season started. That's what happened with Joe Milton and Hendon Hooker in 2021.
“Well, we’ve had it play out a lot of different ways," Heupel told Sparks. "... You name that guy. You give him those reps. But then he’s got to prove it on the field (in games), as well.”
Sparks and Adams did a deeper breakdown of how the quarterback battle could play out in preseason practice and early in the 2026 season. And they reacted to the Vols' placement in the SEC preseason poll.
To hear that discussion, listen to the podcast.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How David Gabriel Georges impacts Tennessee, plus Ohio State copes with loss
