Class of 2024
George Heath
Student-Athlete
Track & Field, Football
Tennessee High School
Class of 1973
George Heath – 1973 (Tennessee High School)
George Heath starred for the Vikings on the football field and was also a member of the THS track and field team during his prep career.
Heath played on the 1971 Tennessee State Championship football team and was a member of the 1972 Tennessee State Championship and National Championship Viking team. He was a starter for three years during the Vikings’ historic 35-1 run (10-1, 1970; 12-0, 1971, 13-0, 1972).
Heath was All-City in 1970, 1971, and 1972 and was Outstanding Back of the Year in 1972. In 1971, Heath was All-State, the All-Big 6 Back of the Year, the All-Big 9 Back of the Year, the All-Upper East Tennessee Back of the Year, and was honorable mention on the All-Southern All-American team.
In 1972, Heath was named a Top College Prospect in Tennessee. He was also All-State, All-Southern All-American, the Big 5 Back of the Year, the Big 9 Back of the Year, and the All-Upper East Tennessee Back of the Year. As a senior, he participated in the East-West All-Star Game.
For his career, Heath rushed for 3,195 yards on 357 carries (8.9 avg.) and caught 17 passes for 377 yards. He scored 47 touchdowns and scored 59 extra points. In 1972, he ran for 1,384 yards on 140 carries, averaging a whopping 9.9 average per carry.
Heath still holds the THS record for points scored in a season – 182 in 1972 and has the record for career points with 341.
Heath received a scholarship to Virginia Tech to play football and was a standout for the Hokies, playing in every game for the Hokies over his four-year career.