Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs just created a big headache for the Tennessee Vols
Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have managed to create a new headache for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers this offseason, but that’s life in the SEC for UT football.
The Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Vols aren’t scheduled to play each other in 2026, but that isn’t stopping UGA from causing problems for the UT football program.
Earlier this offseason, the Volunteers received a commitment from 2027 three-star quarterback Derrick Baker.
Baker, 6-foot-1/226 pounds from Milton, GA, is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 40 quarterback in the nation.
On Wednesday, Georgia, which has been keeping a close eye on Baker for the last several months, extended an offer to the Tennessee commit.
Derrick Baker visited Georgia before committing to Tennessee
Baker, who has been committed to the Vols since February, visited Georgia in late January.
“I think they go a little slower with the way they do things. Pretty much the person they offer, they want that offer to be committable,” said Baker to 247Sports after visiting Athens. “They want to know that they’ll take them up on that offer. So they definitely want to see me throw again and everything. So they’re coming out for spring and want me to come out for one of their spring practices too.”
247Sports national recruiting analyst Tom Loy mentioned earlier this spring that Baker could take additional visits to other programs, including Auburn and Georgia.
Baker is viewed as a quarterback who could be “one of the biggest risers” in the 2027 recruiting class, so it’s no surprise that Smart and the Bulldogs are trying to pry him away from Tennessee.
The good news for the Vols, though, is that Baker has made it clear that he’s solid in his commitment to Tennessee.
It’s still not ideal, however, for Georgia to be in the picture — the Bulldogs are one of the only programs that might have a legitimate chance to flip Baker from Tennessee.