Fact or Fiction: QB Stockton will make difference in Gamecocks' recruiting
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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FACT OR FICTION: Fidone is Nebraska's biggest commit in years | Oklahoma could have historic class | Sooner Summit will become key in recruiting
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1. Gunner Stockton will make difference in South Carolina's recruiting.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. Yes, this is a huge commitment for Will Muschamp and I’m not taking anything away from that. And yes having a highly ranked QB in your class early is a great foundation to build around.
So why is it fiction? Because winning on the field will ultimately dictate the level of recruiting success for the Gamecocks and they have a tough road ahead. Muschamp could be on a very hot seat after this season, a season where I see 3-7 as a real possibility, and that is always a hindrance to recruiting. I love the get of Gunner Stockton, but with Clemson and others recruiting so well in areas the Gamecocks need to own, it’s not going to make a huge difference.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I see South Carolina in a win-win situation here when it comes to 2022 recruiting. Stockton is very well-known in the state of Georgia and so he can have influence on a lot of elite playmakers from that state. Plus, the state of South Carolina is wide open in terms of top 2022 players still uncommitted.
If the Gamecocks surprise this season, some in-state kids will be intrigued by that and by playing with Stockton. If South Carolina tanks, then Muschamp could be replaced and a new coaching staff can always spark a recruiting turnaround. The only way this doesn’t work is if South Carolina, because of the pandemic or because the team has a marginally-good season, decides to keep Muschamp and this is sort of a lost year.
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2. Tylan Wallace will dominate the Big 12.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Everyone knows how high I am on Tylan Wallace and he was having another great season for Oklahoma State last year before his injury. With Spencer Sanders developing and a great running game with Chuba Hubbard, Wallace will be part of what could be the best offense in the Big 12. And he will put up some monster numbers.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Everyone is debating whether Alabama’s DeVonta Smith or LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase is the best receiver in college football, but let’s not forget about Wallace, who has more catches and receiving yards than both of those guys. I realize they play in the SEC and Wallace is in the Big 12, but Oklahoma State’s offense should be phenomenal this season.
If Wallace is fully healthy, he could be not only the best receiver in the Big 12 but nationally. He’s that good and if everything checks out, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the first- or second-round discussion for the NFL Draft.
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3. Terry Wilson is the sleeper QB of the SEC this season.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Everyone forgets how talented Terry Wilson is because of his injury last year and Kentucky is being slept on a bit in the SEC as a result. Wilson rushed for more than 500 yards in 2018 and completed nearly 70 percent of his passes prior to his season-ending injury last year two games in.
Wilson is healthy again and playing behind a great offensive line with some nice weapons. This doesn’t mean Kentucky will beat Georgia or Florida and win the SEC East, but I can’t think of a QB in the SEC being overlooked more.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Lost in all the excitement over Mike Leach taking the Mississippi State job is the fact that a really good quarterback transferred there who could possibly emerge as one of the better quarterbacks in college football this season – and he will definitely get the chance to throw the ball a lot again. Former Stanford QB K.J. Costello should run the show in Starkville and it has to be thrilling.
Last season under Leach at Washington State, Anthony Gordon completed 493 passes and threw 689 balls. Everybody is talking about Leach in the SEC but some are forgetting that he has maybe one of the better quarterbacks he’s ever coached leading the offense.
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