Fact or Fiction: Florida has real momentum with Samson Okunlola
Rivals national recruiting analyst Adam Friedman, Jason Higdon of 1standtenflorida.com, Caleb Alexander of GamecockScoop.com, and Richie Schnyderite of NittanyNation.com tackle three topics and determine whether they believe each statement is FACT or FICTION.
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MORE FACT OR FICTION: Notre Dame will flip Chris Terek from Wisconsin | Desmond Ricks could finish as the top CB in the 2023 class
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1. Florida has real momentum in Samson Okunlola's recruitment.
Friedman's take: FACT. Samson Okunlola is certainly taking his time with his commitment. He hasn't even locked in his next visits yet, but it seems like Florida will get him on campus at some point, and I call that real momentum. That should be a little worrisome for the Miami Hurricanes, who are the perceived favorite. Their in-state rival has shown that they're willing to compete for the top prospects in the country regardless of where they're from, even if that means taking on the Hurricanes head to head. Miami, Michigan State, Oregon, Ohio State and a few others have been viewed as the main contenders for Okunlola, but the Gators aren't shying away from the fight.
Higdon's take: FACT. It depends on what you mean when you say “real momentum,” but Okunlola is definitely listening to what the coaches have to say right now. Florida went to see him during the bye week, and Florida fans can expect to see him on campus sooner rather than later. It will all come down to his visit. There is something there, but calling it real momentum could be a stretch. However, we are seeing the momentum change directions a little bit.
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2. Syracuse QB commit LaNorris Sellers will flip to South Carolina.
Friedman's take: FACT. It seems like a matter of time before LaNorris Sellers does end up committing to the Gamecocks. The in-state school, even though it dragged its feet in his recruitment, seems to have a strong pull on him. Sellers, who was originally committed to Virginia, decommitted after Cavaliers offensive coordinator Robert Anae went to Syracuse. Sellers followed Anae and verbally committed to Dino Babers, Anae and the Orange in March. It looks like Sellers will visit South Carolina again this season. The lure of playing closer to home and in the SEC could tip the scales in the favor of the Gamecocks.
Alexander's take: FACT. This is one of those where I really didn’t want to put my flag down on either side of it, but let’s call it 52% "fact" as it stands. I’m still trying to get some more insight on this one, but I know Sellers has thrown for OC Marcus Satterfield several times and also visited Columbia several times throughout his recruitment. That said, this does feel like one that perhaps South Carolina dragged its feet on slightly too long, as he has been committed to Syracuse since last March and his star has risen with other programs in the Southeast throughout his senior season. I think there might be time to flip Sellers if South Carolina can get him back on campus - and I’ve heard it is working to make that happen as soon as this weekend - but it might be tough to convince him he’s a priority this late in the game while the Orange clearly coveted him long before.
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3. Rivals250 WR Tyseer Denmark is a Penn State lock.
Friedman's take: FICTION. It's going to be very interesting to see what Tyseer Denmark decides to do when he announces his commitment next month. This visit to Penn State went very well and he has a lot of connections to the Nittany Lions staff, but I'm not sure that he is a lock for Penn State. An Ohio State visit is coming up very soon, and it looks like the Buckeyes will have plenty to say before he announces his commitment. Buckeyes wide receivers coach Brian Hartline has made Denmark a priority and is personally recruiting him to join his loaded receiving corps. Regardless of what Denmark decides to do next month his recruitment will not be over, so it'll be important for teams to continue to make him a focus on the recruiting trail.
Schnyderite's take: FACT. Penn State is already off to a hot start in the 2024 class with top in-state OL Cooper Cousins on board, but can it add another in Denmark? I think so. The Nittany Lions have done a great job on the recruiting trail over the past few classes, especially with local prospects. Not to mention Denmark just stopped by Penn State for a visit to check out the White Out game and word is he had a heck of a trip. Also, the Nittany Lions already have his teammate and fellow four-star Jameial Lyons locked up in the 2023 class, and he has been in his ear lately. Now, Denmark is supposed to visit Ohio State soon, but the pull to stay closer to home might be too much to pass up.