The Ohio State Buckeyes made a big move this past weekend in the recruiting battle for 2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, and it has direct implications for the Tennessee Vols.

Ohio State offered 2027 defensive back Jordan Darren Djila, a teammate of Gabriel Georges at Baylor School. Darren Djila holds other offers from programs like UT Martin and Kennesaw State. The Buckeyes’ interest is clearly for one reason only — because he’s best friends with Gabriel Georges.

The timing of the offer is what makes the move so brilliant. Ohio State hosted Darren Djila on a visit this past weekend and extended the offer right before the recruiting dead period started (which runs from this week through the end of July). Even if Tennessee wanted to counter with an offer of its own, the Vols wouldn’t be able to host Darren Djila first, which would make the offer feel a bit hollow (even though it’s clear what Ohio State is doing).

Ohio State obviously saved this move for right before the dead period to prevent Tennessee from making the same move.

Gabriel Georges is set to commit on July 22, so this gives the five-star running back something to think about over the next few weeks as he enters decision mode. It’s not going to be the biggest factor in Gabriel Georges’ decision, but if this battle is truly a coin flip at the very end, maybe this is what tips the scale toward Ohio State.

It’s a weird spot for Tennessee to be in. Gabriel Georges might feel that if he doesn’t go to Ohio State, his roommate and best friend won’t have a spot with the Buckeyes. If Gabriel Georges is truly torn between the two schools, that could be the deciding factor.

Vols insider shares the latest on David Gabriel Georges’ recruitment

VolQuest’s Austin Price joined 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will this week to discuss Ohio State’s big chess move with Gabriel Georges.

“Well, it certainly doesn’t hurt Ohio State,” said Price. “It’s a smart move. Is it the end-all be-all? Do I think David Gabriel Georges is going, ‘Okay, now I’m going to Ohio State.’ I don’t think that’s the case. But it does give him a familiar face, potentially, in Columbus, if he chooses to go there. Much like Tennessee has always had in their back pocket two familiar faces in Gabe Osenda and Jamyan Theodore here in Knoxville, two of his other really good friends. I would say he’s probably closer with Theodore than Osenda. Obviously he and Osenda are good buddies as well, but I think Theodore would be more along the lines of the kid [Ohio State] just offered, which is his current roommate at Baylor.

“It’s certainly a smart move by Ohio State. Again, is it the end-all be-all? I don’t think that’s the case. But for a kid who didn’t really have anybody that he knew at Ohio State, outside of (running backs coach) Carlos Locklyn, now he potentially could have somebody else… I don’t think there’s a knee jerk to [offer Darren Djila] from the Tennessee side, because he does have friends (at Tennessee).”

“Ohio State’s trying to move the chess pieces again,” added Price. “I said this in the (VolQuest) War Room the other day — Ohio State’s going to make another run here. And Tennessee is going to have to keep the momentum and keep the gas pedal down in this recruitment if they’re going to land David Gabriel Georges. When everybody was acting like it was done [that Gabriel Georges was going] to Ohio State, what did I say? It’s not done. And then what happened? All the momentum shifted to Tennessee. And what did I say then? It’s not done. It is still not done. So we’ll see what happens over the next month, and we’ll see kind of what other twists and turns you see between now and then. But obviously both schools are going to keep the pedal down in this recruitment.”

There are a few weeks to go in this recruitment, and the dead period means neither program can host Gabriel Georges in person or visit him. I believe Gabriel Georges is going to take these next few weeks, decide where he wants to go, then announce his commitment on July 22.

Of course, this battle won’t be officially over on July 22 regardless of where he commits.

Vols fans undoubtedly remember the 2025 recruiting cycle, when Tennessee beat Ohio State for five-star offensive lineman David Sanders. That battle continued throughout the fall even after Sanders committed to Tennessee in August. Sanders made a late trip to Columbus just before the early signing period in late November 2024. That visit had Tennessee fans nervous, and it should have, but the Vols were able to hold off the Buckeyes.

You can’t rule out something similar happening in the battle for Gabriel Georges regardless of where he commits on July 22.