Ohio State suffered one of its most disappointing recruiting losses of the 2027 cycle on Wednesday when five-star running back David Gabriel Georges committed to Tennessee. The Buckeyes had invested heavily in the elite prospect for nearly two years, only to watch him choose the Volunteers.
What made the miss sting even more was the reaction from a familiar face across the rivalry. Former Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford, now on staff at Michigan, appeared to take a subtle dig at his old program on social media shortly after the announcement.
The Recruiting Blow for Ohio State
David Gabriel Georges ranked as one of the top running backs in the 2027 class and a consensus top-10 overall prospect. The Canadian native playing at Baylor School in Chattanooga put up massive numbers, including over 1,700 rushing yards and nearly 30 touchdowns in his junior season.
Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn had built a strong relationship with Georges dating back years. The Buckeyes made him their clear No. 1 target at the position, reportedly putting together a competitive NIL package and sending multiple staff members to visit him. In the end, Tennessee’s combination of proximity, playing-time opportunity, and a larger financial offer proved decisive.
Georges’ decision left Ohio State without a running back commitment in the 2027 class and forced the staff to pivot quickly to other options.
Tony Alford’s Subtle Jab
Alford did not stay quiet. The Michigan running backs coach posted a reply on X that many interpreted as a direct troll of Ohio State.
Quoting another account, Alford wrote: “But I thought… ah, never mind!! 🤷♂️”
The timing made the message clear. Just hours after Georges chose Tennessee over the Buckeyes, the former Ohio State assistant appeared to be poking fun at the recruiting miss.
Alford spent nine seasons in Columbus under both Urban Meyer and Ryan Day, developing a long line of successful running backs including Ezekiel Elliott, J.K. Dobbins, and TreVeyon Henderson. He left for Michigan in the middle of spring practice in 2024, a move that surprised many in the Buckeye community and was viewed by some as a betrayal of the program.
Why the Troll Carries Extra Weight
The jab lands differently because of what happened after Alford departed. Ohio State won a national championship in the first season following his exit. Carlos Locklyn stepped into the running backs coach role and helped oversee a productive room that featured both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins rushing for over 1,000 yards.
Last season, the Buckeyes also delivered a dominant victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor. Those results make Alford’s social media comment feel like an attempt to throw stones from a glass house.
Alford has not shied away from commenting on the rivalry since crossing over. In the past he has openly stated that Michigan is “better” when asked about differences between the two programs. His latest post continues that pattern of engaging with Ohio State’s setbacks.
What It Means Moving Forward
For Ohio State, the loss of Georges is a clear setback in the 2027 class. The staff had essentially gone all-in on one player at the position. Missing him forces a reset and a broader look at the remaining running back board.
At the same time, the program remains in a strong overall position. Ohio State already has proven talent in the backfield and continues to recruit at a high level across other positions. The national championship and recent success against Michigan serve as reminders that the program has thrived even after key staff departures.
For Michigan, Alford remains a key part of the offensive staff. His willingness to publicly engage with Ohio State recruiting news keeps the rivalry flame burning on social media, even in the middle of July.
Recruiting losses happen to every program. What stands out in this case is how quickly a former Buckeye coach now working for the archrival chose to highlight it. The exchange is another reminder that in the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, the trash talk never really stops — even when the calendar says it’s summer.
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