The Tennessee Vols are locked into a heated head-to-head battle with the Ohio State Buckeyes for one of the top recruits in the nation.

And things are about to get real in that battle.

It’s go time in the battle for 2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges

We’ve talked a lot over the last six months about the recruitment of 2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges.

Most of that conversation has been speculation as the five-star running back from Canada (he plays high school football at Baylor School in Chattanooga) hasn’t said a lot about his recruitment.

The conversation, however, is about to get more serious as Gabriel Georges begins taking official visits later this month.

For now, this battle is a coin flip between the Vols and the Buckeyes.

“It is a slug fest between those two right now, because I think those are the two finalists,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs Friday on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will. “I know some other schools are listed, but I think it’s Tennessee and Ohio State. And every recruiting advantage you can try to find and use to your advantage, you’re trying to use.

“There are some teammates of his that are at Tennessee that he’s played with in high school. There’s a lot of Tennessee flavor in that school and around that school. And obviously, Chattanooga has got a lot of Tennessee flavor to it… I think the unknown with him a little bit, too, is one of the two schools, are they doing a better job with the family and not just the kid? He lives on campus (at Baylor School). His family is in Canada. So, how are you doing with his family? Do they have an impact on the decision? Is it all just on him? So, I think you’re just trying to work and swing at every relationship and work everything you can. You certainly want him to get in a car and ride up here and see Tennessee as often as you can over the course of the next six weeks before [recruiting] goes dead at the end of June and you anxiously await his decision. But Ohio State’s got confidence that they’re dead in the middle of it. They’ve got a great shot to get him. I think Tennessee’s got confidence that they’ve done well with him and have a chance to get him. But it’s going to be a slug fest in recruiting to the finish line for him.”

Tennessee currently has three players on its roster from Baylor School who previously played with Gabriel Georges — true freshman offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda, true freshman defensive back Jamyan Theodore, and redshirt freshman wide receiver Joakim Dodson.

The Vols are certainly hoping those relationships can help them land a commitment from Gabriel Georges when he announces his decision on July 22.