National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
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1. Sam Howell should have been a five-star prospect.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. This is a hard one to answer. Sam Howell has been awesome and has surpassed Trevor Lawrence's touchdown numbers as a freshman, but I still say fiction. We have to see the whole story before we can make that conclusion. Is Howell playing like a five-star as a true freshman? Yes, he is playing much better than his four-star ranking. Let's see how his next two seasons play out and if he's as good as he is this year, he'll have proven to us that he should have been a five-star.
Gorney’s take: FICTION Sure, Howell’s numbers are better than Lawrence’s but Clemson might have the best running back in college football - Travis Etienne - to chew up yards and touchdowns and Lawrence has thrown 76 fewer passes than Howell so far this season. He’s having a better season than Ryan Hilinski in an easier conference but Howell probably should have been third in the pro-style rankings and definitely someone inside the Rivals100. The former four-star has had a surprisingly productive freshman season for the Tar Heels and he deserves a lot of credit, but a five-star ranking? I don’t think so.
2. Matt Campbell needs to make the jump to a major program now.
Farrell’s take: FACT. No offense to Iowa State, but teams like Florida State, USC and even Texas should be eyeing Campbell for potential job openings now. He's likely to have back-to-back 8-4 seasons at Iowa State and that doesn't happen often so now's the time to cash in that collateral and take over one of the big boys. More jobs will likely be open than we think (Oklahoma if Lincoln Riley leaves for the Cowboys, Auburn if Gus Malzahn decides to take it easier at Arkansas) and another 8-4 season has to be considered improbable even though there is quite a bit of talent returning. It's time coach Campbell, go get that big job.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Campbell is a Midwest guy and there’s one job that might be opening in that area soon that could make a lot of sense: Michigan State. Campbell could do very well at USC because he’s an excellent coach but do a lot of elite recruits in the West region know Campbell or his resume? I would guess not. Florida State seems to be targeting Mike Norvell, Lane Kiffin or others as I haven’t heard Campbell’s name much in that search. Who knows if Texas will open and what that administration is thinking over the next couple years. Michigan State has a proven track record, he would bring energy and excitement to that program and it would be a huge step up to the Big Ten East. Did I just put my chips in on Campbell to East Lansing? Yeah, I did. It might not be after this season but Mark Dantonio has a short leash and that move makes sense.
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