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COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Ohio State moves on from the David Gabriel Georges recruitment, the Buckeyes are now in a tricky spot.
The Buckeyes had made it clear that the five-star 2027 running back was their No. 1 target in the cycle, no ifs, ands or buts about it. And, for better or worse, they’d honed in on landing someone that they felt was a game-changing running back who would be the top prospect in the 2026, 2027 or 2028 cycles.
Now, Gabriel Georges is set to be a Tennessee Volunteer after his Wednesday decision. And the Buckeyes will be looking for another running back in the class.
So what’s next?
Ohio State, in the 2027 class, has offered 24 running backs. Just three of those prospects remain uncommitted, as of Wednesday night. Meaning, unless Ohio State gets involved with three-star Caden Waye or three-star Asa Barnes (who is reportedly still a Tennessee lean), the Buckeyes will have to go looking for a flip target.
The first name that comes to mind is Jayden Miles, a 6-foot-1, 205 pound back who attends Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana — the same school of current Ohio State safety Blaine Bradford. Miles is currently committed to Florida State, but took an official visit with the Buckeyes earlier this summer. He’s the No. 396 overall prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking.
Nigel Newkirk, the No. 260 overall prospect from Gainesville, Georgia, could also be a flip option. He was on campus for the spring game in Columbus, but is currently committed to Alabama. The Buckeyes will have to head down south if they want to land him.
There will likely be other targets that come up for the Buckeyes, especially as the 2026 season kicks off, but those two seem to be the likeliest options.
But it could not end up being just a 2027 task. Ohio State could dip back into the 2028 class as well.
The Buckeyes have four-star Elijah Newman-Hall already committed — he pledged back in June 2025. He’s the No. 80 overall prospect and No. 4 running back in the class. He figures to be a pillar of what is already looking like a stellar 2028 cycle for Ohio State.
Kevin Hartsfield is the No. 1 running back in the class and the No. 35 overall prospect. He could make for a nice pairing with Newman-Hall, as the talented running back from Newton High School in Georgia would be a blue-chip addition.
Four-star Xander Edwards, from The Bolles School in Jacksonville, could also be a name Ohio State is intrigued by. He was on campus for a June camp and earned an offer as the No. 111 overall prospect and No. 6 running back in the class.
The Buckeyes certainly have their options left on the table, even if none of them can or will provide Gabriel Georges would have in Columbus. Now, Ohio State will have to move onto other recruits in the class.
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