Fact or Fiction: Shaun Wade opting out is hypocritical
National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
COVID BLOG: Wade opts out of possible Big Ten season
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1. Shaun Wade opting out is hypocritical
Farrell’s take: FICTION. When I first saw Shaun Wade opting out on Monday I found it strange considering how active and outspoken he and his father were about playing at Ohio State this fall. But then I realized — they are sick of all this crap and being used as pawns in some Big Ten political agenda. Even if they eventually decide to start the season in late October, it’s too late for Wade, who is a potential first-rounder. He has more to lose than gain playing what would be a shortened season that could carry him up until late December if Ohio State makes it that far. That’s a quick turnaround to the February combine. He’s had enough of this and it’s time to move on and it’s a shame.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. The Big Ten might be figuring out a path to starting the season sometime in October, but that’s still unclear and there’s no reason for Wade to stick it out to see what the conference does. I would have loved to see Wade play this season because he might be the best cornerback in college football, but I completely understand his decision and his focus on his NFL future.
Sure, his dad was one of the outspoken parents for the Big Ten to return to football but his voice carried for more than just his son. He wanted the entire conference to play. Wade’s move is not hypocritical at all and he can easily be a first-round selection.
2. Michigan State is turning into the biggest threat to land New Jersey players.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Look at the New Jersey state rankings. The Spartans have 3 of the top 20 players in state committed after running back Audric Estime announced Sunday for Michigan State. Only Rutgers has more while Penn State and Michigan don’t have any. Ohio State leads for Tywone Malone and there are a few others that are yet to be committed that could change things, but with Estime, OL Geno Vandemark and OL Kevin Wigeton, the Spartans are doing very well in the Garden State.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Michigan State is having a nice run this recruiting cycle and that’s because coach Mel Tucker and his staff are aggressively targeting some top New Jersey targets, but that state is completely open for business and I don’t think the Spartans are going to have a firm grip there in the coming years, if history is any indication. Ohio State and Texas A&M landed two of the top six players in the state last recruiting cycle. The year before that Alabama got two of the top four; and the year prior Penn State and Notre Dame each landed two of the top five. Michigan State could make some in-roads there but top New Jersey prospects seem to still be going to a lot of top schools, so I don’t think the Spartans are necessarily replacing any team there.
3. Even without Jaylen Twyman, Pitt's defense is going to throw a scare into the rest of the ACC.
Farrell's take: FACT. Twyman was only one piece in a deep and talented Pitt defense that is still led by Patrick Jones and Keyshon Camp up front and Paris Ford in the secondary. I had Pitt and Miami as two of the better defenses in the ACC behind Clemson and Florida State and that hasn’t changed, especially after a great opening performance.
Gorney's take: FACT. I don't think we learned anything new about Pitt's defense against lowly Austin Peay and I'm not certain we will learn too much against a Syracuse offense that had major problems moving the ball against North Carolina, but there are tests coming and I suspect the Panthers are ready to answer them.
Even without Twyman, the front four is very talented and aggressive and then the safety duo of Ford and Damar Hamlin might be one of the best not only in the ACC but nationally. The game against Louisville on Sept. 26 is going to be a real statement matchup for this Pitt defense, but if the Panthers can prevail they very well could be 5-0 heading into the Miami/Notre Dame gauntlet in mid-to-late October.