Fact or Fiction: Miami recruiting is in trouble
National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
MORE FACT OR FICTION: Florida impressed in win over Virginia
1. Brock Vandagriff’s decommitment could have to do with Lincoln Riley NFL rumors.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. While the timing may seem interesting I think this simply has to do with Brock Vandagriff deciding he doesn’t want to go too far from home to play his college ball when there are great local options. Maybe this has to do with Jake Fromm’s NFL future or something else? There’s no real way to tell but I don’t see Lincoln Riley leaving Oklahoma.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I highly doubt that everyone but Vandagriff would be in the dark about Riley’s imminent decision. I still believe Riley could be in line for an NFL job, especially with the Dallas Cowboys, but I also wouldn’t be shocked if he stays at Oklahoma and wins a national championship first. Vandagriff wanted to be closer to home and that seemingly benefits Georgia and Florida among others and is a big loss for the Sooners.
2. Texas will use the Utah win as a springboard for next season.
Farrell’s take: FACT. OK, I know I’m an optimist but I think this has to be a boost for the Texas program after such an awful year. Utah is a solid program and the Longhorns looked solid on both sides of the ball. There is talent on the roster for sure and you have to expect a nine or 10 win season next year under Tom Herman.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Texas beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to finish last season and the Longhorns did not use that as a springboard to 2019 where there were huge expectations so I’m not sure the momentum will last that long. There are new coordinators that will be working into the system and next season is a completely new ballgame. Beating Utah was a nice way to finish the season but I’m not sure it matters much heading to 2020.
3. Miami recruiting is in trouble.
Farrell’s take: FACT. The Hurricanes didn’t finish strong in the early signing period and based on what the top players at the Future 50 are saying, they won’t do great in 2021 either. It’s not that players were saying bad things about Miami — they just weren’t talking about them at all. That’s a bad sign. Florida is the team of choice right now in-state and nationally the Canes aren’t a factor early on. That’s not a good thing.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Miami already has eight commitments to get a nice jumpstart on the 2021 class and the Hurricanes are ranked seventh nationally but not a lot of the big-time players in that class are really all that serious about Miami right now. There is an opportunity, though, if Manny Diaz can sell the vision to local recruits. None of the top nine players in the state are currently committed and Miami should have a shot with many of them.