Ohio State took a hit on the recruiting trail Friday when five-star receiver Monshun Sales chose Indiana, but the Buckeyes may end up turning that miss into an opening.
Sales had once been projected to land in Columbus, which would have given Ohio State two five-star players in the class. Instead, the Indianapolis native decided to stay home and commit to the Hoosiers. Ryan Day and his staff wanted him badly, and there’s no sugarcoating the loss of a talent like that.
Still, the Buckeyes may have a path to make the setback work in their favor. The money and attention they had lined up for Sales could now help in their pursuit of David Gabriel Georges, the running back they’ve been chasing hard.
Gabriel Georges is rated as the second-best running back in the country, and the race for him has narrowed to Ohio State and Tennessee. Right now, the Volunteers are believed to be offering more NIL money, but Ohio State’s situation changed once Sales went elsewhere. That could give the Buckeyes more flexibility to make a stronger push.
There’s still a chance Tennessee’s lead holds, and a flip before Signing Day is not impossible, though that feels unlikely at this stage. Even so, Ohio State believes it has a real shot here.
The Buckeyes are confident for reasons beyond the NIL battle. They think their track record of developing players for the next level gives them an edge, and the chance to compete for national championships only strengthens their case.
A decision is expected next week, and Ohio State is feeling very good about where things stand. If the Buckeyes land Gabriel Georges, it would give them their fourth five-star commitment in the 2027 class.
None of it becomes official until early December, of course. Until then, Ohio State still has to keep working every day to build and maintain those relationships that turn strong recruiting positions into signed paperwork.
In Other News...
John Mobley Jr. Is Suddenly At The Center Of Ohio State's Biggest Need
John Mobley Jr. is starting to look like more than just a rising junior for Ohio State. With Bruce Thornton gone, the Buckeyes have a leadership gap to fill heading into the 2026-27 season, and Mobley has begun stepping into that space during summer workouts. Chris Diebler has noticed the shift in practice, where Mobleys energy and voice have stood out as the team works through drills and starts building a new identity.
For a roster that needs someone to organize, direct and steady things on the floor, Mobleys role is becoming a central part of the conversation. He has been active with teammates throughout practice, setting the tone and taking on responsibilities that usually come later for a player his age. The question now is how far that growth goes once the Buckeyes move from summer sessions into a season that will ask even more of him. [Read more 🡒]
Karlos May Just Gave Ohio State Fans More To Watch Closely
Karlos Mays commitment gave Ohio State another notable win on the recruiting trail, and it came with the kind of message the Buckeyes like to hear from a defensive lineman. The four-star prospect picked Ohio State over Auburn, Florida State and Georgia, pointing to the programs development track and his belief that the staff can prepare him for the next level.
There is still another recruiting watch item looming for Buckeyes fans, though, and it arrives soon. Five-star running back David Gabriel Georges is scheduled to make his college decision on July 22, with Ohio State still in the mix as one of his top options, so Mays pledge may not be the last reason to keep an eye on this class. [Read more 🡒]