Ohio State Buckeyes recruiting took a hit when 5-star running back David Gabriel Georges committed to Tennessee, passing on the Buckeyes as the program’s top target at the position in the 2027 class. Ohio State had envisioned Gabriel Georges as a potential 1B to running back Bo Jackson in 2027, but that plan is off the table. The loss stings, but the Buckeyes may already have their answer in the running back room, at least for 2027. 

Brandon Inniss shines a light on Isaiah West

Ohio State team captain and wide receiver Brandon Ennis recently revealed a name on the offensive side of the ball who has been flying under the radar this offseason: sophomore running back Isaiah West.

“I feel like Isaiah West is very underrated, and I feel like he didn’t play a lot last year,” Inniss said via Austin & Birm Show. “He dealt with some injuries coming out of high school and stuff like that, but he’s on the leadership now. Like he’s grown vocally, and you can see him how he just works. So I would say Isaiah West for sure.”

West started last season as a reserve for the Buckeyes. By the end of the year, he had worked his way up to the third and even second running back at times behind Jackson and CJ Donaldson. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound back was a 3-star recruit in the class of 2025, ranked as the No. 739 player and 61st running back in his class according to 247Sports Composite. Those rankings didn’t stop West from making an impression when he got his opportunities.

West finished last season with 310 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 59 rushing attempts. He runs with tenacity and aggressiveness, and Ohio State saw enough to believe he can grow into a larger role.

What Gabriel Georges’ decision means for Ohio State’s backfield

The Buckeyes went all in on Gabriel Georges, the 5-star prospect out of the state of Tennessee, and they lost him to the Volunteers. It’s a legitimate recruiting loss for Ohio State, and there’s no sugarcoating that.

Still, the program is in a solid spot at the position. Jackson will be around for at least the next two seasons, and West is set up to be Ohio State’s No. 2 running back this fall. If all goes well, the Buckeyes could have a one-two punch of Jackson and West for the next two years as West continues to develop.

The more pressing concern isn’t 2027. It’s 2028, when Ohio State will need to add another starting-level running back to the roster. There’s still time to address that need through recruiting or the transfer portal, and the Buckeyes have shown they can identify and develop talent at the position even without landing the top-rated prospects.

The bigger picture for Ohio State’s rushing attack

Missing on Gabriel Georges doesn’t change what the Buckeyes have in front of them right now. West’s emergence gives Ohio State depth and a complementary style behind Jackson. Having a player who earned increased reps as the season progressed speaks to West’s ability to handle the moment when called upon.

The loss in recruiting is real, but West’s presence in the running back room gives Ohio State a viable path forward — and the 2028 class is where the Buckeyes will need to focus their energy at the position next.