Fact or Fiction: Shambre Jackson is a lock for Florida State
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: October decisions coming for Jackson, more
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1. Shambre Jackson is a lock for Florida State.
Farrell’s take: FACT. And this is a must win for Mike Norvell and the Seminoles when it happens. He’s a local four-star who is buying into the rebuild and could contribute very early. Norvell will need more of “his guys” sooner than later as he’ll be on the hot seat already next season if things continue the way they are now.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU and Texas A&M are the final five for Jackson, but the Seminoles appear to be the frontrunner here in a big way. This would be a big in-state recruiting win for coach Mike Norvell and his staff and Florida State would be beating a bunch of other national powers at a time when the Seminoles need all the good news they can get. I do not believe Norvell will be on any kind of hot seat next season like Farrell does, but Jackson will provide immediate help on the edge and his commitment would be big.
2. Texas would be better off with Shane Buechele at QB.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. But it’s a good question as former Longhorn Buechele is putting up big numbers at SMU and Texas just lost again to TCU. But Texas' slow start is not on Sam Ehlinger. He has 14 touchdowns (plus a rushing TD) and only 2 picks so far this season and he’s completing 63% of his passes. Ehlinger won the job long ago and Buechele, who has 1,300 yards, 10 TDs and is completing 70% of his passes for the No. 18 Mustangs (4-0), was erratic at Texas. Both players are a great fit where they are now and Texas needs some semblance of defense more than anything else.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Ehlinger leads the country in touchdown passes with 14, four more than any other quarterback including Buechele. But the SMU quarterback leads the nation in passing yards, so he’s definitely no slouch, either.
However, here’s what I believe: Both Ehlinger and Buechele are where they should be, leading their offenses at Texas and SMU, respectively, and while Buechele would have been really good for the Longhorns, Ehlinger is still the right pick for that job. Offense is not the problem at Texas as Ehlinger had four more TD passes this past weekend.
3. UNC fans should be worried about a sophomore slump for Sam Howell.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. Nah, no need to worry folks. Howell does have three picks and only three touchdowns so far and he hasn’t looked like the amazing true freshman we saw last season, but he will come around. There is way too much talent on offense for Howell to be held back and the fact that UNC is winning without his best game is encouraging.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I’m torn on this question because on one hand it feels like North Carolina has dialed back Howell and the Tar Heels’ offense, not wanting to show too much in the early schedule and managing wins over Syracuse and Boston College where the offense didn’t look all that explosive or dangerous.
But it might just be that the chemistry and cohesion is not there yet as Howell is No. 19 nationally in passing yards per game at 260, down from 280 as a freshman. The Tar Heels are tied for No. 46 nationally in scoring offense and Howell has just three touchdowns and three interceptions in two games. Until Howell really shows what he can do - and starts playing like he did during his freshman season - this does feel like a little sophomore slump although I’m still confident that this North Carolina offense could get revved up at any time.