Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney and national recruiting analysts Ryan Wright and Sam Spiegelman tackle three topics and determine whether they believe each statement is FACT or FICTION.
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1. In the end, Walker Howard’s flirtations with Notre Dame and Ole Miss will be much ado about nothing.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Things got interesting when Walker Howard started taking visits this fall and there is legitimate interest in checking out other schools in case a flip is needed but in the end my guess is the five-star sticks with LSU. He’s been one of many commits trying to keep the LSU recruiting class together and if a solid hire is made - and that is fully expected - then Howard will end up at the place where he’s always wanted to go: LSU.
Spiegelman’s take: FACT. Howard is considering Notre Dame and Ole Miss, and depending on the hire LSU AD Scott Woodward makes, perhaps that interest could grow. However, Howard is a legacy with innate ties to the program and several pieces already in place and on the way. Assuming there’s a coach that can intrigue Howard with the right play caller and offense, he should represent the future of LSU.
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2. Florida State now looks like the front-runner for five-star offensive tackle Julian Armella.
Gorney’s take: FACT. The uncertainty of the coaching situations at LSU and Florida lead me to believe both of those programs are in wait-and-see mode with the five-star offensive tackle. Alabama already has three offensive line commits and many priorities at offensive tackle including Julian Armella but definitely others as well. That leads me to believe Florida State is in a great spot with him. He’s visited numerous times, he’s a top priority, he’s a legacy and he could play almost immediately. If I were the Seminoles, I’d feel great.
Wright’s take: FACT. On Monday, Julian Armella posted his top-four schools naming Alabama, Florida, Florida State and LSU. Two of those programs are currently without a head coach; LSU and Florida. Granted that may not stop Armella from committing to either one, after all four-star Oklahoma DT Chris McClellan publicly announced his commitment to the Gators on Tuesday, but bettors’ odds go the other way. Alabama hosted Armella for an official on Nov. 5, but news on that visit had been unusually quiet. FSU has a top-15 2022 recruiting class that could spring into the top 10 in a hurry. The Seminoles have verbal commitments from eight in-state players with some South Florida flavor. Armella is a fit at FSU and could play early.
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3. After finally visiting Texas A&M last weekend, the Aggies have a very good chance of flipping Kelvin Banks.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I would not be surprised at all if the five-star offensive tackle sticks with Oregon as he loves the Ducks and they’ve recruited him well. But a late visit to Texas A&M with a lot of other outstanding prospects is something to watch. Kelvin Banks surprisingly picked Oregon and his commitment has stuck with the Ducks but A&M and Texas are not backing off and staying close to home - especially with the Aggies playing and recruiting so well.
Spiegelman’s take: FICTION. Texas A&M is working actively to flip five-star OT Kelvin Banks. So is Texas for that matter. Both of the in-state schools covet Banks and have remained behind the sticks since the five-star picked Oregon, surprisingly, in July. While Banks has made the visits to both schools I like Oregon’s chances of holding on. Mario Cristobal has put the Ducks in a great spot for his commitment with his brand of football and emphasis on the trenches. I don’t expect either team to take their foot off the gas, but I’m not sure Banks is willing to change his mind just yet.
