It was majorly disappointing for everyone involved with the Ohio State football program when David Gabriel Georges picked Tennessee. He was the five-star running back recruit that the Buckeyes had circled two years ago as the guy they wanted to bring in.
Gabriel Georges scored a massive payday to pick the Volunteers. He was also given the ability to wear #0, which is his current high school number. Apparently, that was important to him in his decision. Ohio State wasn't willing to do that, and Ryan Day seemed to take a shot at Gabriel Georges during Media Day.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day takes a subtle jab at David Gabriel Georges
Day made it very clear that he would never give the Block O jersey to someone who hasn't earned it.
"The long tradition...the pride of wearing that jersey and what it even means, even just thinking about the Block O Award...we didn't just give that to anybody. You had to earn that Block O around here. That means a lot to so many people."
It isn't that long of a tradition, as it started right around the pandemic. Day was the one who started this tradition, so it's not like it's a decades-long thing. However, it is something very cool that the players in the program have embraced, and it's a tradition that will hopefully live on for a while.
With that being the case, the Buckeyes aren't going to give that jersey to some freshman who just comes in off the street. Even if Gabriel Georges is super-talented, he wouldn't do anything to earn that jersey. Day clearly wasn't willing to compromise on that, and that is a good thing.
If wearing a specific jersey number is that important for someone, they probably aren't the right fit for Columbus. Day will not compromise the integrity of the program to land a recruit, even one of Gabriel George's caliber. This subtle jab makes that very clear.
Ohio State was right not to overpay for David Gabriel Georges
While Ohio State has a lot of NIL at its disposal, it was clearly the right move not to overpay for Gabriel Georges. All of the demands that he had were too much at a position that isn't a premium. Bo Jackson is a really good running back, and he will be in Columbus for two more years.
Day and his staff can try again to land a top running back in the 2028 class. Carlos Locklyn hasn't landed a true blue-chip recruit at the running back spot yet, but he has proven that he can develop guys. That might be more valuable in the age of NIL in college football.
Gabriel Georges pretty much needs to be the best running back in the history of Tennessee football in order to justify the price they are going to pay him. He couldn't possibly have lived up to that billing if played for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Day and his staff made the right choice.
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