One of Ohio State's beloved traditions could actually help Tennessee land 5-star RB David Gabriel Georges

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The Tennessee Volunteers and the Ohio State Buckeyes have laid all their cards on the table in the recruiting battle for 2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges.

The Tennessee Vols and the Ohio State Buckeyes each have plenty to offer 2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges.

Tennessee, however, has one thing to offer the coveted recruit that Ohio State can’t offer.

One of Ohio State’s traditions is working against the Buckeyes in the battle for David Gabriel Georges

Gabriel Georges wears No. 0 at Baylor School in Chattanooga. And according to Rivals.com’s Chad Simmons, there’s been conversation about Gabriel Georges wearing No. 0 as a true freshman at Tennessee if he lands with the Vols.

“The atmosphere, development plan, NIL opportunities and path to becoming the face of the program will all be part of the conversation,” said Simmons last week. “Even wearing the No. 0 out of the gates has been a topic. Josh Heupel and the Vols are ready to go all in, plus some, this weekend (official visit), for DGG.”

Because of a tradition that started in 2019, Ohio State isn’t in a position to give Gabriel Georges the No. 0 as a true freshman.

Ohio State awards the “Block 0” to a player each year as a way of honoring Buckeyes legend Bill Willis.

Here’s an explanation from Ohio State’s official website:

“Ohio State’s tradition of awarding the Block ‘0’ began in 2019 and is inspired by one of the all-time greats to ever don the Scarlet and Gray: Bill Willis. A defensive end whose career spanned from 1942-44, Willis was an All-American and national champion during his time with the Buckeyes. He later went on to break the color barrier in the National Football League as a member of the Cleveland Browns and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the College Football Hall of Fame.”

Giving the No. 0 to a true freshman is something that simply isn’t on the table for Ohio State.

Tennessee, though, has its own (smaller) roadblock when it comes to offering the number to Gabriel Georges.

Redshirt junior tight end Ethan Davis currently wears the No. 0 at Tennessee. Unless Davis declares for the 2027 NFL Draft, he’ll be a redshirt senior when Gabriel Georges is a true freshman. The Vols would have to find a way to handle that conversation with Davis before offering the number to Gabriel Georges, but that’s a much easier roadblock to navigate than Ohio State’s No. 0 situation.

I don’t think a number will be a determining factor in this battle, but it’s certainly a potential advantage for the Volunteers. And this battle is close enough that every small advantage matters.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: One of Ohio State’s beloved traditions could actually help Tennessee land 5-star RB David Gabriel Georges

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