Over the last 18 months, Ohio State has been focused on landing David Gabriel Georges. He has been the recruit that the Buckeyes have had most of their efforts focused on over that time period. For a while, Ryan Day and his coaching staff felt confident about landing him.
In the last few months, the Ohio State Buckeyes have been battling Tennessee for his services. A lot of recruiting insiders logged predictions for him to pick Ohio State. Instead, he decided to take a bigger NIL payment and chose to commit to the Tennessee Volunteers.
Ohio State loses out on five-star recruit David Gabriel Georges
Gabriel Georges apparently prioritized the fact that the Volunteers could pay him more money and the fact that he could wear the #0 jersey. His uncle also apparently signed a deal with Adidas. I'm sure that the Vols made that happen, although that is pure speculation.
Losing Gabriel Georges is a massive blow to the 2027 recruiting class. He was supposed to be the crown jewel of the class. Instead, he will be going to a school that hasn't won a meaningful game in over 20 years. The Buckeyes crushed the Vols in Columbus a couple of years ago in the College Football Playoff.
This does have a whiff of the Chaz Coleman situation, as well as Legend Bey's strange recruitment. Both recruits initially wanted to sign with the Buckeyes but signed with the Vols. Bey was eventually let out of his commitment, and he is part of the 2026 class for Ohio State.
Coleman was dismissed from the program after spring practice, and his future in college football is uncertain. Gabriel Georges could find himself unhappy with what the Vols have to offer and wanting out. Ohio State could have hope to flip him before Signing Day approaches, too.
Where does Ohio State go for their running back?
Now that Gabriel Georges won't be part of the class, where does the Ohio State football program go from here? That question is hard to answer. There aren't many good options left in this class, as a lot of other backs have already committed to other programs.
Ohio State had a lot of eggs in this basket. Now, they might have to try to flip another running back. If they don't, that could be a position they prioritize in the Transfer Portal next offseason. Nigel Newkrifk and Tranard Roberts could be guys they go after instead.
Newkirk is a four-star recruit who is currently committed to Alabama. Ohio State didn't show much interest early in his recruitment, but that could change now. Roberts is a three-star running back who is currently uncommitted. Both of them are a far cry from the talent that Gabriel Georges possesses.
Carlos Locklyn has shown he can develop running backs, but some of his recruits have not been as highly ranked as fans would like. This is definitely a big blow, and there is nothing that you can do to convince me otherwise. He would have been a great Buckeye.
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