Recruiting Outlook: Ohio State Makes Priority Visit To Five-Star RB, More Scholarship Offers

As the offseason continues, Ohio State is still trying to build on some of the recent success it has had on the recruiting trail.

With coaches on the road to visit prospects, the Buckeyes made one recruit in the 2027 class a major priority. Five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, who has long been a top target for OSU, was visited not only by running backs coach Carlos Locklyn, but by nearly the entire offensive staff for the Buckeyes.

Locklyn was joined by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, tight ends coach Keenan Bailey, offensive line coach Tyler Bowen and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton at Gabriel Georges high school.

Gabriel Georges recently named a top four of Georgia, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Tennessee, but the Buckeyes and Volunteers are thought to be ahead of the pack in his recruitment.

It’s no surprise that OSU is going all out for the five-star. He is ranked the No. 10 player in the 2027 class, the No. 2 running back and the top player in Tennessee, according to 247Sports composite rankings. He finished his junior season at Baylor School with 1,756 yards and 27 touchdowns, averaging over 11 yards per carry.

There is a long way to go until the early signing period in December, but expect the Buckeyes’ full-court press on Gabriel Georges to continue down to the wire.

Buckeyes Make Top Schools For Two Prospects

When two prospects narrowed down their offers, Ohio State was included on their lists in the past week.

For four-star wide receiver Deshawn Hall, the Buckeyes were inside his top seven. He also included Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Michigan, Penn State and Tennessee on that list.

Hall is the No. 201 prospect in the country and the No. 25 wide receiver in the 2027 class.

Ohio State was also named by five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou as his top school. Fakatou talked with Greg Biggins of On3 recently and gave a top three.

“It’s still Ohio State No. 1, Notre Dame is No. 2 and Georgia is No. 3,” Fakatou said. “Texas and Oregon are right there as well but those are still my top three going in to the official visits. I know a lot can still change and every visit I’ve taken has been great.”

Fakatou is ranked as the No. 32 player in the country and the second-ranked defensive lineman in the 2027 class, so he would be a major addition for the Buckeyes if they are able to remain at the top.

OSU Extends Scholarship Offers

• Atlanta Mount Vernon Presbyterian three-star wide receiver Taurean Rawlins (6-4, 180) — Hankton offers Rawlins on Monday, getting in on the recruitment of the 2027 prospect. Rawlins is the No. 476 player in the country and the No. 58 wide receiver. He holds 23 Division I offers to this point, which includes Georgia, the only program he already has an official visit scheduled to see (May 29).

• Detroit Cass Technical five-star quarterback Donald Tabron II (6-4, 180) — Quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler may not have been at the visit to see Gabriel Georges, but he was still busy on the recruiting trail. He got in on the recruitment of Tabron, who is ranked No. 30 in the 2028 class and the No. 3 quarterback. Tabron already holds 31 Division I offers, many of which are from Power Four programs.