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While David Gabriel-Georges Put on a Show, Another Commit Had a Special Night as Well

The Tennessee football fans got an early look at the future.
Josh Greer|
Brentwood Academy's Kesean Bowman (1) runs in a touchdown against Brentwood Academy during the second half at Baylor in Chattanooga, Tenn., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
Brentwood Academy's Kesean Bowman (1) runs in a touchdown against Brentwood Academy during the second half at Baylor in Chattanooga, Tenn., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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Tennessee Volunteers

The play that lit up social media feeds this week came in the fourth quarter of a marquee Thursday night showdown at Heywood Stadium in Chattanooga. Baylor led 24-13 behind a David Gabriel Georges touchdown run when Brentwood Academy answered right back, with Crews Jenkins connecting with Kesean Bowman for an 80-yard touchdown that pulled the Eagles within 24-20. Georges and Baylor had the last word, though, scoring twice more in the fourth quarter to finish the night with 173 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns as the Red Raiders pulled away for a 38-20 win on ESPN2, extending Baylor's winning streak over Brentwood to six straight games.

Bowman's Night by the Numbers

On the night, Bowman finished with five catches for 110 yards and the game's signature 80-yard touchdown, a score that came with 11:21 left in the fourth quarter and briefly pulled Brentwood Academy back within four points, 24-20. The touchdown came on a connection with senior quarterback and Ole Miss commit Crews Jenkins, who found Bowman deep down the field for the longest play of the night by either offense. Bowman was not without a scare, getting banged up on a sideline catch late in the second quarter before returning to finish out the game. Even in a losing effort, his per-catch average of 22 yards reflected the big-play speed that has made him one of the most heavily recruited receivers in the country.

Kesean Bowman runs down the sideline.
Brentwood Academy's Kesean Bowman (1) runs in a touchdown against Brentwood Academy during the second half at Baylor in Chattanooga, Tenn., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Who Is Kesean Bowman?

Bowman is a 6-foot, 176-pound wide receiver out of Brentwood Academy who has quickly become one of the most sought-after prospects in the country. He is ranked as the No. 93 overall prospect nationally, the No. 11 wide receiver in the class, and the No. 4 player in the state of Tennessee for the 2027 cycle (247Sports). As a junior in 2025, he caught 49 passes for 665 yards and 11 touchdowns while helping Brentwood Academy finish 11-1 and reach the state championship game (247Sports). The season before, as a sophomore, he hauled in 56 passes for 1,023 yards and eight scores, even seeing time at cornerback (247Sports). His recruitment has drawn national attention, and he has fielded 42 offers (247Sports) from programs across the country.

The Road to Rocky Top

Bowman's path to Tennessee wasn't a straight line.

He originally pledged to Oregon before backing off that commitment, briefly reopening his recruitment to programs like Ole Miss, LSU, Ohio State, Michigan, and Texas. He eventually narrowed his list to Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Ohio State, Alabama, and Miami before making his choice clear. Bowman committed to Tennessee and coach Josh Heupel on March 28 while visiting campus (Yahoo Sports). Family ties may have played a role in the pull toward college football, as relatives with Division I football backgrounds have shaped his path to the game.

A Growing Vols Class

Bowman's commitment slots him into a 2027 Tennessee class that is quickly gaining steam. He joins fellow Brentwood Academy standout Kenneth Simon II, a linebacker who also flipped from Alabama, as well as five-star Baylor running back David Gabriel Georges, giving the Vols three commitments who squared off directly on national television this week. That trio's showdown on ESPN2 offered a preview of the kind of talent Heupel's staff is stockpiling for the future.

What's Next

With his recruitment settled, Bowman now turns his focus to his senior season and a chance to help Brentwood Academy chase the title that eluded the program a year ago. For Tennessee fans, the 80-yard touchdown was simply the latest reminder of what is coming to Knoxville.

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Josh Greer
JOSH GREER

Josh Greer is a sports journalist and educator from Paris, Tennessee, whose passion for sports has shaped a career spanning coaching, higher education, and sports media. Before entering journalism, Greer spent time as a Tennessee high school football coach and was part of two state championship-winning teams. His passion for sports eventually led him to higher education, where he spent more than a decade teaching sport management and providing students with hands-on experiences at major sporting events, including national championships, Super Bowls, and NFL Drafts. Greer brings a unique combination of coaching, teaching, and sports industry experience to his journalism. He takes pride in covering the stories, people, and trends shaping sports, with a particular interest in collegiate athletics.

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