It's all coming down to this. Come July 22, 5-star running back David Gabriel Georges is going to shut down his recruitment, with Ohio State and Ryan Day going to war with Ole Miss and Tennessee. While this is being labeled a three-team race, the strong belief is that Georges will suit up for either the Vols or Buckeyes at the next level.
This is not an easy decision for him, especially with Heupel giving the 6-0, 205-pounder a lot to think about before his final call is made. Yes, the Vols are putting a handsome NIL deal on the table, while also trying to sell him on the fact that the move from Chattanooga where he plays his high school ball to Knoxville would be an easy one.
However, as Rivals insider Steve Wiltfong just pointed out, there's one thing in particular the Vols can't compete with that Ohio State provides: consistently battling for the ultimate glory.
Did Steve Wiltfong just basically say Tennessee football doesn’t belong in the same conversation as Ohio State? 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/4292GDu2yx
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) July 15, 2026
"We'll see what prevails," Wiltfong said. "It is going to be the NIL opportunities and the chance to restore glory to a program and help get them back on track, or is it going to be increasing your odds of doing everything you set out to do, while also making - that NIL offer that was reported from Ohio State over a million dollars is nothing to scoff at. But the caliber of players you're practicing against, the games you're playing in, right now there's not much of a comparison, but that's why Tennessee is recruiting David Gabriel Georges - to get back to the top of the mountain. Ohio State's sustained at the top of the mountain where they've pretty much been our entire lives."
Ohio State has an obvious advantage over Tennessee for David Gabriel Georges
It's easy to agree with what Wiltfong pointed out. Since the College Football Playoff got underway, the Buckeyes have won two national titles. The first came in 2014, while the second came during the 2024 season. In that second run to a natty, Ohio State and Tennessee danced in the first round of the CFP, with the Vols looking to take over The Shoe.
Former 5-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the Tennessee offense looked downright anemic, with Ohio State recording a memorable 42-17 win. Throughout that postseason run, then-freshman Jeremiah Smith was electric, of course including his game-sealing catch late in the action against Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman.
Is this something Georges will be thinking about ahead of the July 22 decision? We'd like to think so. Things are looking bright for Tennessee, especially with 5-star quarterback Faizon Brandon just signing with the program - 5-star Tristen Keys will be a big-time talent too. But will Tennessee reach Ohio State's level of brilliance in the next 4-5 years? We don't see it happening, which is why Georges has an easy road to drive down if his goal is to make over $1 million a year AND push for a national title. And that road is to Columbus, Ohio.
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