Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney and national recruiting analysts Sam Spiegelman and Clint Cosgrove tackle three topics and determine whether they believe each statement is FACT or FICTION.
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1. Notre Dame will be able to flip five-star LSU quarterback commit Walker Howard.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I don’t think Walker Howard is looking to flip but I have to admit it is a little curious that the five-star quarterback has decided to go to Notre Dame this weekend. If he’s looking to get some experiences around the college football landscape then I applaud that but why only Notre Dame and why this weekend for the big game against Cincinnati? This has the feel of Howard doing his due diligence to the extreme where if something untoward happens with coach Ed Orgeron or his staff that he would have at least a backup situation to consider. I don’t think Howard flips but getting on the road this weekend does perk up some ears.
Spiegelman’s take: FICTION. Howard will see South Bend for the first time on Saturday, which is a bit surprising considering his family's long-standing connection with Notre Dame OC Tommy Rees. The five-star LSU legacy is making his first-ever game-day visit to a school outside of Louisiana -- and there's still a chance to make it to Baton Rouge for the evening tilt against Auburn. Nonetheless, this feels like an exploratory visit after Howard confirmed to Rivals he will enroll at LSU this spring and is already set to room with Rivals100 OT Will Campbell. Howard is locked in with LSU and the Tigers' coaches were expecting him to make this visit. He represents the future of LSU at the QB position.
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2. Arch Manning visiting Alabama this weekend is his most important visit to date.
Gorney’s take: FACT. This is the most important one because it’s Alabama and it’s Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide coach made an interesting comment on the Monday Night Football broadcast with Peyton and Eli Manning in talking about Jalen Hurts (but it could apply to any quarterback) when Saban said, “if you’re a QB, always go where you have the best players.” I talked to Bryce Young’s dad this week about recruiting and he said Saban doesn’t have to give the hard sell because basically everyone knows the importance of Alabama football. Manning loves Georgia, no doubt about it, and he really likes Texas and some other schools. But Alabama is Alabama and we will see if Manning gets that feeling after this weekend’s visit.
Spiegelman’s take: FICTION. Every visit Arch Manning makes from here on out could qualify under those circumstances, but the Georgia visit was certainly eye-opening. Manning's father, Cooper, told Rivals that he expects Arch and his family to enjoy each one of these game-day visits throughout the fall, but they are absolutely pleased that it's turned into the game of the week inside the SEC. Manning is an Ole Miss legacy and the Tide and Rebels are both contenders for the nation's top player. With that in mind, it's no more important than his trip to Athens last month or upcoming stops at Texas, Clemson or Ole Miss. Manning has left the door open for even more visits after his junior season.
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3. Missouri still has a very real shot to land Luther Burden over UGA and others.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I would not be shocked if Luther Burden picks Missouri. He really likes and respects coach Eli Drinkwitz and what he’s building in Columbia. It’s down the road so family could come to all his games and he’d be the marquee receiver in the offense on Day 1. He’d still be playing SEC football for an offensive-minded coach and he’s taken numerous visits there so his comfort level is high. But after I saw Burden’s reaction when East St. Louis, Ill., lost to Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco earlier this season, I became further convinced that Georgia is probably leading in his recruitment. He was crushed by that loss to Bosco, arguably the top high school program in the country. He's all about winning. Missouri is getting better and Drinkwitz is great but the Tigers are not there yet so I wouldn’t pick it as the leader right now.
Cosgrove’s take: FACT. Although I would be surprised If Burden ends up at Missouri, it is far from out of the picture. The fact that he is going on an official to Georgia, and not to Missouri, is a non-issue. Burden knows everything that he needs to know about the Missouri program, and an official visit would simply be a formality. There is a lot of pressure from the community to stay at home, and Burden respects the fact that Drinkwitz has made recruiting St. Louis a priority. Conversely, I don’t think the timing of his official to Georgia is coincidental. Burden is announcing his decision shortly after the visit for a reason, and I believe he would have already committed to Missouri if he was truly all in on it.
