Rivals national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman is joined by national recruiting analyst Marshall Levenson, national recruiting analyst Greg Smith and AuburnSports.com's Caleb Jones to tackle three topics and determine whether they believe each statement is FACT or FICTION.
MORE SPIEGELMAN: Biggest upcoming commitment announcements in the Southeast
MORE FACT OR FICTION: Nebraska could have a hot start to 2026 recruiting
MORE NATIONAL RECRUITING: How hot seat coaches are doing on the recruiting trail | Recruiting Rumor Mill | Biggest recruiting visits on tap
*****
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
*****
1. Michael Fasusi will wind up committing to Texas or Oklahoma.
Levenson: FACT. It has become increasingly popular for highly ranked prospects to branch out nationally rather than just regionally to do their homework on programs. It has also become popular for those recruits to give more attention socially to those out-of-region programs than ever before. So when Michael Fasusi has had big connections periodically to programs such as Oregon and Missouri, there were some thoughts he could very well end up at those programs. And while there is certainly a chance he does, the likelihood has always been that he would stay closer to home.
Oklahoma and Texas have been in the race as long as anybody, which has allowed them to build relationships I believe will be too much to pass on. Both programs play on the biggest stage with rock-solid coaching and will have premium NIL opportunities for him. Those factors together along with not having to leave home will lead to Fasusi playing at one of the Red River programs.
Spiegelman: FACT. Texas and Oklahoma have been both trending at different points in Fasusi's recruitment, and it's come as no surprise that buzz around the Longhorns as well as the Sooners is continuing to pick up after the coveted offensive lineman locked in a commitment date. This spring, Missouri made a significant move to enter the top tier of Fasusi's recruitment. As did Texas A&M under first-year head coach Mike Elko.
Bill Bedenbaugh and Kyle Flood have both been mainstays in Fasusi's recruitment for more than a year-plus, and he's been to Austin and Norman more than any other two college campuses. Both the Tigers and Aggies are going to continue to push forward through the end of the summer, but I like the odds of Fasusi picking Texas or Oklahoma next month.
*****
2. Texas A&M is the team to watch with elite safety Trey McNutt.
Smith: FACT. Trey McNutt’s recruitment has been a bit unconventional. That’s because he’s a highly ranked prospect from Ohio that Ohio State has recruited hard but he seems unlikely to end up in Columbus. He’s the son of former Ohio State cornerback Richard McNutt and the nephew of former Buckeye safety Mike Doss.
Despite the family ties it’s always seemed like McNutt was destined to leave the state to play his college football. Until recently, Oregon has all the momentum. But now it seems like Texas A&M has captured his attention and he will take a two-day visit to College Station this weekend.
The Aggies have done enough to be considered a team to watch. They could be the favorites heading into his Aug. 3 decision.
Spiegelman: FACT. Trey McNutt's recruitment has included its fair share of twists and turns already at this point. The Ohio State legacy recruit out of Ohio has been connected to the Buckeyes as well as Oregon and Texas A&M, and at different points in the off-season each team has ridden a wave of momentum with the coveted blue-chip safety.
This summer, the Ducks took a massive leap forward with McNutt and were well-positioned ahead of his decision originally scheduled for July 19. After pushing that timeline for a commitment back, McNutt is set to return to College Station for a multi-day visit this weekend ahead of his Aug. 3 decision date. That'll likely be McNutt's last visit before locking in a decision.
*****
3. With a star-studded group of visitors expected this weekend, Auburn's Big Cat Weekend will yield several commitments.
RELATED: Auburn ready for fireworks with star-studded Big Cat Weekend on deck
Jones: FACT. With plenty of high-caliber prospects and guys near the top of Auburn's board expected in town this weekend, the Tigers' 2025 class has the potential to add a few names to the list on Saturday. Not to mention that Anquon Fegans and Jared Smith are set to decide in the days following, and Hugh Freeze typically does well when he gets a late visit.
Spiegelman: FACT. Auburn is trending in the right direction with several players on the visitor list this weekend, including top-100 safety Anquon Fegans and Rivals250 defensive end Jared Smith, who are set to come off the board July 29 and Aug. 3, respectively. Auburn is battling Georgia and LSU for Fegans, and Smith's list of suitors includes Tennessee, USC, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida State and Ole Miss. Auburn is well-positioned for both in-state blue-chippers and have one more visit to impress ahead of their scheduled announcements.
Additionally, Hugh Freeze and Co. are welcoming several 2026 standouts that are also currently favoring the Tigers. This year's installment of Big Cat Weekend has the potential to set off fireworks in multiple classes beginning this weekend.
