The Ohio State Buckeyes most important offseason date on the recruiting front is none other than July 22 when five-star RB David Gabriel Georges will announce his commitment. 

Ohio State has poured all of its 2026 recruiting efforts at running back on the five-star recruit who plays high school football in Tennessee. The Canadian native is choosing between the Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers in just over a week, and it’s a commitment that could go either way. 

Having recruiting battles with Tennessee is nothing new, they’ve won some and lost some. Most recently, the recruitment of current Ohio State freshman Legend Bey was a Vols-Buckeyes battle. 

There may be shades of the Legend Bey situation in David Gabriel Georges’ recruitment 

Bey was a one-time Tennessee commitment before flipping to Ohio State last fall. However, the Texas product flipped back to the Vols during the early signing period. Bey was released from signing with Tennessee after it was made clear that it wasn’t really where he wanted to be, and that it may have been more of a family push to get him to go to Knoxville. 

The latest comment around Gabriel Georges’ commitment from Lettermen Row points to there potentially being family involved in the decision-making. 

“Ultimately, there is a feeling from some involved that this one could come down to who has the say in the final choice and how much of a factor some of those package elements have on the final decision,” Rivals’ Alex Gleitman wrote. “Only DGG and his family know where things stand on that front and what truly will be the ultimate deciding factors in his choice of where his future home will be.”

It’s not uncommon for family members to be in the driver’s seat for high-profile recruits, and it isn’t 100 percent that’s what’s going on here. However, we do know the aunt and uncle have been handling much of the NIL part of things for Gabriel Joy gazg ‘n Georges, and that they are a key part of the recruitment of the talented running back.

Ohio State has positioned itself as well as it could 

The Buckeyes are reportedly offering Gabriel Georges around $1 million a season on a multi-year deal on the financial front. It’s still said to be short of Tennessee’s offer, which has Adidas in its corner. Ohio State was interested in getting Nike’s help, but was unable to do so. The Buckeyes don’t typically pay insane NIL deals to freshman running backs and they’re willing to pay Gabriel Georges more than they’ve ever given one. 

Ohio State can offer the 6-foot, 215-pound running back a chance to play early in a talented offense. Gabriel Georges will practice against premier talent in Columbus and have the chance to compete for a national championship. The same may not be able to be said if he chooses to go to Tennessee. 

Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn has been the main driver in the recruitment for the Buckeyes. His relationship with the family is better than that of any other coach involved in the recruitment. 

If Ohio State doesn’t land Gabriel Georges, they’ll have to turn to plan B. Looking to flip a running back committed elsewhere or to take a transfer portal swing in the winter would be the options.