Tennessee is working hard to flip DJ Jacobs from Ohio State. Could Adidas help put the Volunteers over the edge?
The top-ranked player in the Class of 2027 is signed with the same apparel company that recently began a 10-year partnership with the athletic department in Knoxville.
Jacobs’ latest post on Instagram has Vol Nation talking. Especially after a specific college football coach liked it.
DJ Jacobs is committed to Ohio State.
At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, DJ Jacobs is rated as a five-star prospect in the recruiting Class of 2027. Not only is he the top-ranked edge rusher and the top-ranked player in the state of Georgia, he is widely considered the top-ranked player in the country.
Some recruiting analysts might rank Jalen Brewster and/or Maxwell Hiller ahead of him but Jacobs is ranked no lower than third.
Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State and Oregon were considered to be the top suitors in the best position to land his commitment. He ultimately picked the Buckeyes at the end of December.
However, his recruitment is not closed. Other schools are still working hard to flip him and, while I cannot speak on their behalf, his family did not seem thrilled with his decision at the time of his announcement. Jacobs also said this on Dec. 29:
“I will still take some official visits. I committed to Ohio State over Miami and Texas A&M. Those schools, Georgia, and maybe one or two more will probably get official visits. Recruiting is never over, so we’ll see who really wants me and who will fight for me. Ohio State is a top program. Miami is a great school and I feel very valued by them. You have Georgia and A&M too.”
And then he said this a few days later:
Nothing is official until pen hits the paper! Jacobs does not have to sign until December at the earliest, February at the latest. Schools are going to keep pushing. This is far from over!
Can Adidas help to flip him to Tennessee?
Although Jacobs did not mention the Volunteers as a possibility, the coaching staff on Rocky Top continues to push him to flip. Tennessee has made a significant effort to get in his good graces over the last six months.
Interestingly enough, there is an intrinsic tie between DJ Jacobs and the University of Tennessee athletic department. Jacobs signed an NIL deal with Adidas at some point in June. The Volunteers officially began their 10-year partnership with Adidas on the second of July. Ohio State is a Nike school.
To make things even more interesting, Adidas supposedly helped Tennessee to land five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, who signed a record-breaking NIL deal worth ~$2 million per year over the next three years. Pete Nakos said that Ohio State offered an NIL deal worth ~$1 million per year to Jacobs.
Could Adidas help the Volunteers to present an even bigger financial package? Perhaps…
Jacobs also posted on Instagram to promote the “three stripes” earlier this week. Multiple football players at Tennessee commented on the post, including Brayden Rouse and Ethan Utley. Fans also noticed that Derek Owings liked the post. Owings is the Director of Athletic Performance (strength and conditioning coach) for the Volunteers football team. Interesting!
It should also be noted that Jacobs posted a series of photos from Ohio State with the caption “Home” on June 15 so this latest post could be nothing. Or it could be the start of something! Only time will tell.