We are well over a month out from five-star RB David Gabriel Georges making his college decision. The Ohio State Buckeyes have the Baylor School (TN) standout at the top of their board in this class, and it’s going to hurt if they don’t l get him. 

Gabriel Georges steered June with an official visit to Columbus, then this past weekend he was in Knoxville for his Tennessee official. Coming out of the Ohio State visit, the Buckeyes’ chances of landing Gabriel Georges felt great. Now, it feels like Tennessee may have the edge. 

Ryan Day’s relationship with David Gabriel Georges probably could have been better in this recruitment 

An interesting note recently came about from Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong that’s catching some attention. Day and Gabriel Georges got together great this last official visit, but Ohio State’s head coach hasn’t always been a popular face in the five-star running backs recruitment. 

“Coach (Ryan) Day opened up more than before,” Gabriel Georges’ uncle told Wiltfong. “We have had that consistent conversation with Coach (Josh) Heupel from the beginning. We didn’t have that with Coach Day. I didn’t feel personally connected. He opened up. When we left Ohio State, we were like the Ohio State official visit is going to be hard to beat.”

It sounds great that Ohio State hit the mark with the official visit for their priority running back target. But if the family is pointing out Tennessee’s head coach has been a factor with consistent conversation the entire recruitment, while Ohio State’s hasn’t, it’s notable. 

This isn’t to say it’s going to lose the recruitment for Ohio State, Day and Gabriel Georges have a good relationship now. But for Day not to be more involved in this recruitment the whole way through is a bit of a head-scratcher. Of course, Buckeyes running backs coach Carlos Locklyn has been the main driver of the process, given his close relationship with both the player and the family. 

Still, the head coach matters and Tennessee’s may have one-upped Ohio State’s during this one. 

A long way to go in a short time until David Gabriel Georges’ commitment 

The No. 2 running back in the country is scheduled to visit both Ole Miss and Georgia the next two weeks to close out his official visits. At this time, Gabriel Georges is expected to take all four official visits that are scheduled. Then, there will be a few weeks until the commitment happens on July 22. 

Between now and the commitment, Ohio State and Tennessee are going to continue to push at the top for Gabriel Georges. Final offers will be submitted at some point on the NIL front, as well as any final pitches. If the Buckeyes miss, they’ll have to scramble elsewhere for their 2027 running back.