The race for David Gabriel Georges has reached its final stretch, and the picture is now clear: Ohio State and Tennessee are the two schools still standing for the consensus five-star running back.
Georges, the No. 2-ranked back in the class, is set to announce his decision on July 22, and the battle around him has only grown sharper as the date approaches. The Buckeyes were in early and have stayed in the thick of it ever since, with running backs coach Carlos Locklyn emerging as the key figure in the recruitment. Locklyn’s connection with Georges goes back to his Oregon days, and that relationship has carried over to Ohio State, where he has kept the prospect front and center.
Ohio State has also made a point of bringing Georges in multiple times. Those visits have included the program’s recent success, its track record of producing NFL-caliber running backs and offensive linemen, and the chance to sell him on playoff and national title opportunities.
Tennessee, though, is making this a real fight. The Vols, now aligned with Adidas, are the other major contender for the Baylor School standout from Chattanooga, Tenn., and a report from On3 said they are putting together a serious NIL package that would pay Georges around $2 million per season on a three-year deal.
The Buckeyes’ pitch is believed to be worth more than $1 million annually at this stage, with the expectation that more could follow after a commitment, especially given Ohio State’s relationship with Nike.
There has also been some noise around the recruitment from Georges’ family. His uncle has suggested Tennessee has moved ahead of Ohio State in the player’s mind and recently implied the decision may already be made. Georges pushed back on that with a simple response on X: “I didn’t say anything,”
The financial stakes underline how highly both programs value him. Kemon Spell may hold the No. 1 running back spot in this class, but Georges has been right there behind him, and his ranking reflects that. He is the consensus No. 2 back by industry-weighted average, the No. 9 player overall, and the top prospect in Tennessee.
On the field, Georges looks like the kind of runner who can step in and make an impact fast. He brings explosive power through traffic, enough burst to slip tacklers near the line, and a punishing style that makes him difficult to finish off once he gets into the open field.
For now, the biggest recruiting prize at running back is down to Ohio State and Tennessee.
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