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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MORE FACT OR FICTION: Cody Brown will pick Auburn
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1. Tyler Shough will put up monster numbers at Texas Tech.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. The days of Mike Leach and Kliff Kingsbury are gone and current head coach Matt Wells is slightly more balanced when it comes to pass attempts. Yes, Alan Bowman had a couple of games early in the season with more than 50 pass attempts and passed 46 times against Oklahoma State late in the season, but the days of 500-yard games seem long ago. Texas Tech doesn’t have the wide receiver weapons to air it out every second nor has it had the quarterback, and Tyler Shough is not that guy. He’s a serviceable addition who can help with a balanced attack but let’s not get ready for Graham Harrell or Patrick Mahomes numbers. Or even those of Kingsbury himself.
Gorney’s take: FACT. We’re not going to see something like the Mahomes year in 2016 when he threw for 5,052 yards and 41 touchdowns in Lubbock. Mahomes is a superstar and Texas Tech’s system is different under Wells. But Shough is arguably the most talented QB Wells will have had coming into his third season with the Red Raiders and the former four-star is capable of slinging it all over the field. Texas Tech is no longer in the business of just trying to outscore everybody, but Shough is really good. Wells knows he needs a spark in season three or Texas Tech might be looking for another coach.
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2. Quinn Ewers is hands-down the best QB in Texas for 2022.
Farrell’s take: FACT. There’s an interesting debate going around about whether Ohio State commit Quinn Ewers, the No. 1 prospect in the country, is even the best quarterback in his own state or if Conner Weigman and Cade Klubnik, both top 40 national talents, are better. Weigman and Klubnik are very talented but let’s not overthink things. Ewers is way ahead of the rest when it comes to the feel for the game, handling the pressure and simply the “it factor.” All three have great skills, but Ewers is a can’t miss. Let’s not debate any further.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Ewers is the No. 1 prospect in the 2022 class and by default the top quarterback but hands down the best QB in Texas? I’m not there yet. First off, Klubnik’s team beat Ewers’ team in the state title game with Klubnik nursing a sore shoulder. He has phenomenal anticipation, leadership abilities and he’s basically what every college program is looking for. That’s not to discount Ewers at all since we obviously think he’s fantastic. But Klubnik and Texas A&M commit Conner Weigman are stellar quarterbacks as well and all three have special qualities. Ewers leads the way but Klubnik and Weigman could make it interesting over the next year.
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3. Mac Jones will go no later than No. 8 in the NFL Draft.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. While there have been many rumors that there is no way Mac Jones gets past the Carolina Panthers at No. 8, let’s acknowledge that false or misleading information is floated all the time during NFL Draft season. The Panthers want a quarterback for sure but don’t be surprised if Matt Rhule and company are leaking that info to see if they can perhaps get more value for that pick from a team that might be willing to trade up. Jones is a first-rounder but saying his floor is No. 8? I don’t buy it.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Jones has worked his way into the first-round discussion but let’s not get overboard on the pecking order of quarterbacks in this draft. There is a very real argument that Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields and Trey Lance will be taken before Jones and that clearly moves him out of the top 10. Jones had a fantastic season but there are better quarterbacks ahead of him. In the second half of the first round is more of where I see Jones being taken.
