Former Vols offensive coordinator and new Auburn head coach Alex Golesh is trying to steal Tennessee’s top 2027 recruiting target
One of the Tennessee Vols’ top 2027 recruiting targets has scheduled his official visits.
It didn’t take long for new Auburn Tigers head coach Alex Golesh to become a thorn in the side of the Tennessee Vols.
Golesh, who served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator/tight ends coach from 2021 to 2022, was hired to replace Hugh Freeze as the head coach at Auburn in late November.
The former Tennessee offensive coordinator quickly has Auburn in the mix for one of the Vols’ top 2027 recruiting targets.
Auburn is receiving an official visit from 5-star running back David Gabriel Georges
2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges is arguably the Vols’ top recruiting target.
Gabriel Georges, 6-foot, 205 pounds from Chattanooga, TN (by way of Canada), is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 2 running back in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Tennessee. He’s also rated as the No. 13 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.
247Sports’ Tom Loy reported on Saturday that Gabriel Georges has locked in four official visits — Ohio State (May 29), Tennessee (June 5), Auburn (June 12), and Georgia (June 19).
Tennessee, Ohio State, and Georgia have long been the three programs at the top of Gabriel Georges’ recruitment.
The official visit to Auburn is a bit of a surprise.
“The addition of the Tigers to that top group is brand new and likely a testament to the new coaching staff on the Plains, led by head coach Alex Golesh,” noted Loy.
Loy also pointed out that a source told 247Sports that Gabriel Georges is “the best running back prospect in 2026, 2027, or 2028. He’s unique. He’s different.”
While Auburn and Georgia are technically in the mix for Gabriel Georges, this is ultimately shaping up to be a battle between Ohio State and Tennessee.
VolQuest’s Austin Priced discussed Gabriel Georges’ recruitment with 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will last month and detailed where Tennessee stands in the battle for the elite running back.
“As good a position as you can be in at this point for a recruitment that is several months out from having a decision,” said Price. “Tennessee and Ohio State — I know he lowered it to eight — but it’s really those top two teams. We’ll see if somebody else can get involved. It does not feel that way as of right now.”
Georgia, according to 247Sports’ Tom Loy, is currently the “team to beat” for 2027 five-star running back Kemon Spell. Otherwise, the Bulldogs would probably be more of a threat to land Gabriel Georges.
Plans can change, but I’d look for Gabriel Georges to announce his commitment sometime next summer after he takes his official visits.
Tennessee Volunteers News
‘Overly hurt’ – Tennessee Vols true freshman OL David Sanders Jr. reacts to teammate entering the transfer portal
The Tennessee Vols have lost a couple of key players to the NCAA transfer portal in recent days.
