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Fact or Fiction: Clemson to add 5-stars; LSU's class will lead to title

National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.

MORE: Can LSU win a recruiting title (and national title)? | Can LSU beat Bama?

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1. Clemson will get at least two more 5-stars for 2020.

Jordan Burch
Jordan Burch (Rivals.com)

Farrell: FACT. I have Jordan Burch and Justin Flowe pencilled into this 2020 class for Clemson (notice I’m using pencil) and they could also land Arik Gilbert or pull a surprise on someone else. It’s not easy to get five-stars, especially with so many already in this class, but Dabo Swinney can do it.

Gorney: FACT. Like Farrell, I think Clemson is the leader for both Burch and Flowe. I can see Georgia being a real threat for Burch and USC for Flowe, especially if the Trojans fire Clay Helton and hire Urban Meyer or another big-named coach. As it looks now, I think Clemson lands those two and then the Tigers are making a real play for Gilbert. In addition, five-star tight end Darnell Washington asked D.J. Uiagalelei to get a Clemson coach to talk to him more on Sunday night. Everybody wants to play at Clemson and so it’s likely more five-stars are on the way.

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2. LSU's class will lead to a national title

Farrell: FICTION. I love this recruiting class for LSU, but I do have questions at the quarterback position and that’s always the key. Max Johnson and TJ Finley are both four stars but I’m not a huge fan of either as a future star. Joe Burrow has impressed me greatly, so maybe they can develop them like they did with Burrow, who was a three-star, but the QBs worry me a bit in this class.

Gorney: FACT. LSU has the talent to win a national championship this year, especially with the offense playing so well. And now the Tigers are loading up again on defense in this recruiting class. The idea that Derek Stingley Jr. and Elias Ricks could be LSU’s cornerbacks next season is just incredible. The Tigers will be stout up front, loaded at linebacker and awesome in the secondary. Couple that with that explosive offense and LSU will be in the playoff hunt for years to come.

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3. Ohio State could be DBU

Jeffrey Okudah
Jeffrey Okudah (AP)

Farrell: FACT. Notice I said “could be” to make this easier to answer. Ryan Watts just committed to the Buckeyes and of course their recent success with defensive backs played a big part. The Buckeyes consistently put defensive backs in round one in recent years and Jeffrey Okudah is next. It’s hard to argue with the development.

Gorney: FACT. Everybody talks about LSU and Florida as DBU and rightfully so because both schools produce their fair share of elite defensive backs for the NFL, but the names getting pumped out of Ohio State is equally impressive. And more are coming. Denzel Ward was a first-round pick. Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley were first-round picks. On and on and on. Now Okudah is a virtual guarantee as a first-round pick as well. The SEC schools are known as DBU, but the Buckeyes are staking their claim as well.

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