Sports

Cautious Vols fans aren't celebrating the latest DGG crystal ball away from OSU yet

Scarlet and Game · Jul 21, 2026 13:00 · 3 min read

Cautious Vols fans aren't celebrating the latest DGG crystal ball away from OSU yet — Josh Heupel and Co. haven't landed David Gabriel Georges yet. Vols fans aren't counting their chickens before they hatch, despite a recent crystal ball to Rocky Top. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While predictions lean toward Knoxville, cautious Tennessee fans aren't celebrating the latest DGG Crystal Ball away from Ohio State just yet. Here is why Ryan Day's Buckeyes are still a dangerous threat.

The Ohio State Buckeyes may not have had a crystal ball logged for 5-star Baylor (TN) running back David Gabriel Georges on Monday. The fanbase that did, the Tennessee Volunteers' Big Orange, isn't counting their chickens before they hatch just yet, though.

Rocky Top Insider's Craig Smith was celebrating the job Josh Heupel and De'Rail Sims did in recruiting DGG thus far, even in the event the Volunteers lose out to the Buckeyes on Wednesday during decision day.

"Tennessee has done absolutely everything they can to land DGG’s services. They’ve made him a top priority for their staff. They’ve got him on campus. Heupel has formed a terrific relationship with his family. Tennessee has come way over the top to offer the most competitive NIL offer imaginable for the young man. And they’re making his family a priority as well," Smith wrote.

"No matter what ends up happening on Wednesday, you have to tip your hat to Heupel and RB coach De’Rail Sims. They’ve done everything they can do. Now, we wait and see."

Wait and see; we will. Tennessee has gotten all-in efforts, even from Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, but at the end of the day, Ohio State is playing with more chips and a better long-term vision than the Vols could ever dream of in the NIL era.

Ohio State will remain a threat for DGG even if he initially chooses Vols

There are many suggestions as to how to fix college football. Absent among them are rules on curbing flips before signing day. With high school recruits getting paid, it's fair game to maximize earnings on recruiting visits and commitments.

There seems to be a game within the game for recruits to essentially take the money and run, in some sense. Schools like the Ole Miss Rebels are part of that scheme on both ends, having stolen Cal Golden Bears transfer linebacker Luke Ferrelli from the Clemson Tigers after he signed a contract while also planning to sue the LSU Tigers for doing nearly the same thing.

Even if DGG commits to Tennessee, the Buckeyes will be lurking until signing day. Maybe I'm going out on a limb here, but Ohio State is probably going to make a more convincing case that the foundation is sturdy than the Vols will.

After all, Tennessee is starting inexperience with whoever wins the QB1 job, and Jim Knowles is their lifeline in Knoxville. Those are not statements that ensure a bad result this coming fall, but most would take the chalk on Matt Patricia knocking it out of the park again in year two and Arthur Smith catching on quickly in year one if you had to choose one ideal 2026 season.

Until the ink is dry on signing day, don't count the Buckeyes out just yet. If DGG is truly special, the door will always be open in Columbus.

No one is saying he can't decide that staying home sounds like a great option right now before the 2026 season even starts. There's time before we know which program is truly built to put him in the spotlight, too, though. Before long, DGG will know who is best equipped to create gaps for him.