A Record‑Breaking NIL Agreement
Tennessee Volunteers have secured a landmark name, image and likeness (NIL) agreement with five‑star running back David Gabriel Georges, set to pay him roughly $2 million in his freshman year when he arrives on campus in 2027.
The deal, valued at about $6 million over three years, positions Georges as the highest‑paid running back recruit of the NIL era and places him among the top earners across all college football positions for the 2027 class.
Georges chose the Vols over traditional powerhouses Ohio State University and University of Mississippi after a fiercely contested recruitment, citing the program’s vision and the magnitude of the compensation package.
Born near Montreal in Quebec, Canada, Georges relocated to Chattanooga in 2024, a move that has already begun to shape his development and visibility ahead of his collegiate debut.
The agreement also includes travel benefits for his family in Canada, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the deal beyond pure cash compensation.
This transaction follows the Vols’ earlier high‑profile NIL arrangement with quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who in 2022 signed a three‑year, $8 million contract, illustrating the rapid escalation of NIL values since then.
Analysts note that the NIL pay scale has risen across nearly every position since 2022, but Georges’ leap for a running back represents a distinct milestone in the market’s evolution.