2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges will be choosing between the Tennessee Vols and the Ohio State Buckeyes on July 22.

No one can say with any certainty which school Gabriel Georges will choose, but the feeling is that Tennessee has the momentum heading into the much-anticipated announcement.

“I think Tennessee’s in good shape — I really do,” said On3’s Chris Low last week. “I don’t want to speak for the kid. I spent a lot of time with him. … I think this kid’s got a great future wherever he goes, whether it’s Ohio State or Tennessee. I do think, though, that Tennessee’s in really good shape with it.”

It wouldn’t shock anyone if Gabriel Georges picks Ohio State, but this battle does appear to be trending in Tennessee’s direction.

Fans on Rocky Top will obviously be thrilled if Tennessee is the pick on July 22, but those fans need to be ready for the narrative that will come from the national media if the five-star running back commits to the Vols.

The national media is already trying to frame this as a situation where, if Tennessee wins, it’ll only be because the Vols offered Gabriel Georges the most money.

“The Buckeyes have a lot to stand on in this recruitment,” said On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “But as Chris Low reported this week, Tennessee’s offered $2 million a year over three years — a $6 million package, amongst other bells and whistles with the deal.”

“I think he’s always envisioned himself at a place like Ohio State,” added Wiltfong. “And Tennessee has been able to come on strong — selling first and foremost a humongous NIL package, and then second, the belief that you can turn this program around. And then there’s some belief in some of the young players in that program. But Ohio State, they’ve got everything he’s looking for in a program and a track record.

“So we’ll see what prevails. Is it going to be the NIL opportunities (at Tennessee) and the chance to restore glory to a program and help get them back on track? Or is it going to be increasing your odds of of doing everything that you set out to do? While also making — that NIL offer that was reported from Ohio State that’s over a million dollars a year is nothing to scoff at. But the caliber of players you’re practicing against (at Ohio State), the games you’re playing in — right now there’s not much of a comparison (between Ohio State and Tennessee).”

That recruiting analysis is pretty disrespectful to both Tennessee and Gabriel Georges.

Gabriel Georges’ family has made it clear that “money is not the main thing” in this recruiting battle. The decision is going to be based on several different factors. The biggest factor, though, will almost certainly be the relationships that he’s built, and those seem to be best at Tennessee.

“With Gabriel Georges, his camp has been consistent in saying their best head coach relationship is with Josh Heupel,” noted Wiltfong this week. “The family feels connected with Heupel and that there is a real connection.”

If Tennessee is the pick on Wednesday, Vols fans need to be prepared for the nonsense narrative that the Vols only won this battle because they offered the most money.

And that simply won’t be true. If the Vols land Gabriel Georges, it’ll be because they just straight-up beat Ohio State.