Kirby Smart can send a statement to Ohio State by winning 2-team battle for elite DB

Georgia has three traditional rivals in Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech. They also have a few other teams in the SEC that feel like rivals at times which includes Alabama, Tennessee and Texas. Beyond those teams though there really isn't any other school out there that feels like a rival to Georgia.

That is except for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Georgia and Ohio State haven't played each other too many times over the years, but they are undeniably two of the best programs of all time and in recent years. So while they don't play each other on the field too often they do face each other on the recruiting trail all the time, and that is the case with elite defensive back Adryan Cole in the 2027 recruiting class.

Adryan Cole can't make up his mind between Georgia and Ohio State

Cole is a four-star defensive back from Atlanta, GA who is the No. 258 overall player in the country. He also is the No. 22 safety in the 2027 class and No. 29 player from the state of Georgia.

Cole is someone that Kirby Smart is aggressively pursuing, and since he is an in-state prospect they should stand a good chance at winning his recruitment. Cole confirmed that as he said Georgia is one of his top two schools, but he also said that Ohio State is right there with them. In fact, he said that Georgia and Ohio State keep flipping back and forth as his top choice.

As mentioned, Georgia and Ohio State are two of the best programs in the country. They have only played each other twice in program history (both won by Georgia), but these two will continue to compete directly or indirectly against each other each season. Knowing this "rivalry" exists makes winning recruitments like Cole's extremely important.

This sounds like a recruitment that will come down to the wire, but hopefully Smart is able to come out on top so he can put the Buckeyes back in their place.