Fact or Fiction: Kenny Pickett is QB1 for the 2022 NFL Draft
In today’s Fact or Fiction, Mike Farrell looks at three big recent topics in college football and decides whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.
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1. Jarek Broussard can make an impact at Michigan State similar to Kenneth Walker III.
Farrell's Take: FICTION. Jarek Broussard had a great season in 2020 for Colorado with 895 yards in a shortened COVID season and was solid last year with 661 yards, but that’s more than 1,000 fewer than Kenneth Walker had last season. Why the comparison? Because Walker came over as a transfer from Wake Forest and lit up college football for the Spartans last year and many will expect a similar impact from Broussard. But with Wisconsin transfer Jalen Berger also coming in a running back by committee approach is more likely.
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2. Ole Miss has overtaken LSU as top team in transfer portal this cycle.
Farrell's Take: FACT. Jaxson Dart at QB moves Ole Miss slightly ahead of LSU by my estimation although both programs have done a great job. LSU has added some key players, especially at wide receiver and defensive back. But the Tigers lack that elite quarterback coming in. Dart shifts the balance to the Rebels slightly after his impressive freshman season at USC.
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3. Kenny Pickett is QB1 for the NFL Draft in April.
Farrell's Take: FICTION. I have Matt Corral ahead of Kenny Pickett for the top spot but I may be in the minority. Pickett put up better numbers last season with 4,300 yards and 42 touchdowns to only seven picks but he also threw 100 more passes than Corral who was banged up a little bit.
To me, Corral has the better overall arm talent, is a bit more mobile and a better on-field leader. Out of high school his talent was never in question but Corral has blossomed as a true leader. I feel he’ll be amazing in his combine interviews and taken as the first QB despite the leg injury in his bowl game.