Recruiting insider has Tennessee leading for an in-state RB with an approaching commitment date, and it’s not David Gabriel Georges
The Vols could be in store for some good news from one highly-sought RB, and it’s not the player that’s had Tennessee fans on the edge of their seats for weeks.
Will he stay in the state of Tennessee with its flagship university, or will he spurn the Vols and leave for another opportunity?
That general sentiment has been burning in the minds of Vol fans for weeks surrounding the recruitment of five-star Chattanooga Baylor RB David Gabriel Georges, which has been at the national recruiting forefront. The Vols and Ohio State Buckeyes have been duking it out and are the finalists for his commitment, which he’ll announce on July 22.
But there’s another in-state running back that Tennessee is pursuing, and they’re trying to fend off another out of state program to land him.
Three-star RB Asa Barnes out of Martin, TN (Westview) will make his commitment later on this month, according to Rivals recruiting insider Chad Simmons. Simmons notes that Tennessee has been considered the team to beat for a while there.
Tennessee in-state RB target Asa Barnes expected to commit by the end of July
Barnes doesn’t have the high recruiting rankings and/or accolades that Gabriel Georges does. Barnes checks in as the No. 538 overall recruit, No. 37 running back, and No. 21 player in the state of Tennessee for the 2027 cycle according to Rivals’ industry rankings. Barnes is 551/33/24 in 247 Sports’ composite rankings.
However, the offer list and interest speaks a different story for Barnes. In addition to Tennessee, a number of other programs have extended scholarship offers, including USC, Alabama, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Florida State, Arkansas, and several others. Tennessee’s top competition appears to be Arkansas, per Simmons. Tennessee has hosted Barnes on four visits, more than any other program, with the most recent coming on June 19.
Tennessee fans will surely be waiting with baited breath on Gabriel Georges, but it could be a two-for-one special on good news if he commits along with Barnes, as Josh Heupel looks to stock his running back room for the future.