National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
*****
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
*****
1. Five-star Korey Foreman is leaning toward USC.
Farrell’s take: FACT. This is my best guess. Georgia is trending, Arizona State is confident but to me this boils down to Foreman wanting to stay home and build his name in LA. That’s not easy in a pro city, but Foreman is good enough to do it and could be the face of the franchise. Clay Helton needs this one badly and the season he’s had so far will close the deal with Foreman.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I still feel this is a USC/Clemson battle but I’m going to watch out for Georgia especially if we can confirm he’s visiting there with Maason Smith right before signing day. I still think there are a lot of reasons to like USC in his recruitment. Other players committed elsewhere could be watching this situation closely and can join him in the later signing period,. My best guess is that the Trojans have the edge right now.
2. Auburn should hire a defensive coach.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. As much as I like guys like Kevin Steele and Brent Venables, in this day and age it’s key to find an offensive mind in the SEC and replacing an offensive guy like Gus Malzahn with another offensive guy is the way to go. Go with Billy Napier or someone who may not be tested at the Power Five level but could be that great next offensive coach.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I don’t think it’s necessary to have an offensive visionary as a coach to win big in the SEC or any other conference. Texas A&M, Iowa State, Cincinnati and Georgia are all in the top-10 nationally and don’t have explosive offenses. But scoring lots of points is the way of the world and those who have adapted in the SEC - Alabama, LSU, Florida - have had lots and lots of success.
Hugh Freeze is an interesting one. Lane Kiffin might get some traction, and wouldn’t that just be perfect. Malzahn was an offensive coach but he ran a quirky scheme that was frustrating at times. There are many innovative minds out there and Auburn needs to go get the next one.
3. Loss to LSU will hurt Florida's recruiting.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. It was a huge recruiting weekend (unofficial visits of course) with talents like Terrion Arnold, Tunmise Adeleye, Tristan Leigh, Xavian Sorey and others on hand. While they won’t get them all, the Gators will close strong and could pull a surprise (Leigh?) this week.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I don’t necessarily think Florida takes a hit with the shocking loss to LSU, but the Gators didn’t make up any ground and that could hurt just as much. Arnold is leaning toward Florida but the other three - Leigh, Sorey and Adeleye - still feel like stretches right now. Oklahoma probably leads for Leigh, Texas A&M possibly for Adeleye and Georgia for Sorey. It was an exciting LSU-Florida game but I doubt the Gators made any of those top players really rethink where their recruitment is headed right now.
