The first time David Gabriel Georges touched the ball as a high school senior, he turned an 8-yard run off right tackle into a viral moment.You might have seen the clip from the Baylor School’s season opener last Thursday in Chattanooga, Tenn., part of the 2026 ESPN High School Kickoff.
HOW did 5⭐️ RB David Gabriel Georges stay up?? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/IG12z776NR
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) August 21, 2026It was one of several eyebrow-raising clips from the five-star running back known simply as DGG in an early-season rematch of last year’s state championship game. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound native of Canada accumulated 250 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns in a 38-20 win over Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy.“There is no doubt he’s a freak,” said a Big Ten front office staffer who spoke on the condition of anonymity so he could comment on a high school prospect. “That play was an example of his rare contact balance. He’s built like a guy who can contribute early and often.”Tennessee is prepared to pay Gabriel Georges handsomely to do exactly that.Gabriel Georges, who committed to the Volunteers in July after a long recruiting battle with Ohio State and Ole Miss, was offered a three-year package worth $6 million, a person briefed on the negotiations confirmed to The Athletic last month. That’s an extraordinary amount for any high school prospect, especially one playing a position that has been devalued in recent years.So did Tennessee overpay to keep DGG, ranked No. 9 overall and the No. 2 running back in the 2027 class in the 247Sports Composite, from leaving the state?“Is spending $2 million a year good for a freshman running back? My answer is no,” a Big 12 front office staffer said. “There’s a learning curve on and off the field, and that’s not a premier position. Now, I think he’s really good. I just don’t think that’s money well spent. I would rather have a quarterback or a couple defensive ends or wide receivers with that money.”
