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The Tennessee Volunteers don't have any running backs in their 2027 recruiting class. That could change this coming week. On Rocky Top, they're hoping that it means 5-star Baylor (TN) RB David Gabriel Georges and 3-star Westview (TN) RB Asa Barnes are both staying home. It might only mean one of them is, though.
Barnes revealed that he would be willing to play with DGG should the two both decide to remain in the Volunteer State for their collegiate careers.
"Well, the week after David Gabriel Georges makes his college decision, in-state running back Asa Barnes from Westview High in Martinsville, Tennessee, is going to make his declaration. Tennessee is trending heavily for the talented in-state running back. He is 6'0 and 200 pounds. He is obviously aware of the shadow of David Gabriel Georges and Tennessee's love for him, but the Vols lead in this recruitment for Barnes. He doesn't care who's in the room, whether DGG is in the room or not. Tennessee is the program who checks the boxes for him. He is also strongly considering Kentucky, Ole Miss, and some other programs," Steve Wiltfong stated in a video for Rivals, per Tennessee Volunteers On SI.
Even asking Barnes that question means Big Orange is probably his lean. Needless to say, no one is asking DGG the same question. With UT recruiting two backs last year, 4-star Daune Morris and 3-star Justin Baker, Josh Heupel and Co. appear to be in a position to really stack their room next year.
Barnes' likely Vols decision may just be good news for the Ohio State Buckeyes, though.
Ohio State may be in the cat bird seat for DGG with Asa Barnes' Vols lean
It's true that the Buckeyes also have a crowded backfield. Still, it's easier to picture players leaving Columbus for bigger checks next year to make room for DGG than Knoxville. James Peoples didn't get the bag, necessarily, from the Penn State Nittany Lions in the transfer portal, but he got paid a very respectable salary for anyone in the 9-5 full-time working world at around $200,000.
Bo Jackson could pull top dollar if he decides he wants to be the featured piece in an offense over his last year or two before heading off to the NFL. He may be the best RB in the Big Ten already. Isaiah West could probably pull a similar salary. The Ohio State pay bump is a real thing in the portal.
We know that there will be Buckeyes RBs unhappy with their snap allotment this fall. There's no guarantee that there will be unhappy Vols. There's at least somewhat of a clear hierarchy behind DeSean Bishop in Tennessee. Jackson is RB1 in Central Ohio, but Arthur Smith is going to be trying to feature Jeremiah Smith on the outside in the offense while relying on a committee at RB.
That Barnes seems poised to make everyone in his home state happy by staying home means the Vols have their eggs in multiple baskets. Carlos Locklyn and Co. have several RB prospects in mind in case DGG doesn't commit, but it sure feels like Gabriel Georges is OSU's only focus until July 22.
Here's to hoping Barnes is a fallback for Tennessee and the Vols are slowly accepting that he'll be the only RB commit this week.
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This article was originally published on scarletandgame.com as How Asa Barnes leaning toward Tennessee shifts the landscape at RB for Ohio State.
