Fact or Fiction: Billy Bowman will end up at Oklahoma
National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
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1. Billy Bowman will end up at Oklahoma.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Bowman’s girlfriend plays softball at OU and there have been rumors of a flip for some time, so if the former Texas commit lands elsewhere I’d be stunned. And this would be a double whammy for the Longhorns to lose their most valuable and versatile commit to their Big 12 rival. Bowman is a quiet kid and might take his time, but this seems done.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I don’t think Texas is out of this, especially if the Longhorns step up their efforts in convincing Bowman he could play receiver for them, but this really just points to Oklahoma in a lot of ways. Playing offense in Norman is really attractive, Bowman’s girlfriend plays softball there. I’ve heard that Bowman has not promised anybody at Oklahoma that he’s going there, but it looks like the Sooners are definitely in great shape.
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2. Tank Bigsby at Auburn will be the best running back in the class of 2020.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. I like Bigsby, I like him a lot, and he’s off to an exceptional start at Auburn. In fact he looks so good I’m already kicking myself for allowing a drop from five- star status because he looks like that north-south runner I loved as a junior.
But I’m very impressed with Kendall Milton at Georgia, and he could be a special one for the Bulldogs. He has even quicker feet than I thought he had and his balance is exceptional. This 2020 running backs class is very deep and I see many guys ending up as stars, with Milton leading the way.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Bigsby broke out with 146 yards against Arkansas after modest use his first two games. He fits that offense really well and he’s a no-nonsense runner who should have a fantastic career on The Plains. But Milton does look like the next big thing at Georgia, and the Bulldogs have a long list of talented running backs who have become college superstars and early picks in the NFL Draft.
But I’m going to remain patient here because Zachary Evans at TCU and Demarkcus Bowman, who has now transferred from Clemson to Florida, are both incredibly dynamic and special as well. Let’s also not forget former five-star Bijan Robinson, who is one of many running options in Texas’ offense and should be an even bigger focal point in the years to come.
Who’s going to end up being the best running back in the loaded 2020 class? I’ll pick Bowman, but Bigsby will be in the discussion.
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3. Amarius Mims will pick Georgia on Wednesday.
Farrell’s take: FACT. It comes down to UGA and Tennessee for the five-star offensive lineman on Wednesday, and this is a much anticipated decision. I’m keeping my FutureCast on Georgia at this point because despite the great job by the Vols. You just can’t beat the home-state advantage, and the Dawgs are closer to a national title than the Vols.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I don’t see any other way this plays out, even though Mims has tried to stoke some interest and intrigue in the closing weeks. Tennessee has done a phenomenal job recruiting offensive linemen, but - as we all saw on Saturday as Georgia’s defense held the Vols to minus-1 rushing yards - the Bulldogs are just on another level right now. Mims is an in-state prospect, he’s been a target for years and Georgia is playing at the caliber it takes to win a national championship. Coach Kirby Smart almost never loses these types of recruiting battles, and he won’t with Mims.