Fact or Fiction: Terrion Arnold still favors Florida
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: Ranking the contenders for Terrion Arnold
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CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
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1. Four-star Terrion Arnold still favors Florida.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. I felt Terrion Arnold was a strong lean to Florida for a long time and even thought he was waiting to sign in February as just a formality. I was wrong.
Now I feel Georgia and Alabama have a better shot at him overall as the Gators didn’t close that well in December, have a new defensive backs coach he will need to get comfortable with and the Dan Mullen-to-NFL rumors are swirling. I’m inclined to say Alabama gets their top DB target here in the end.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. If Torrian Gray and Ron English stayed on staff then Florida would have a much better shot at Arnold. By no means are the Gators out of it because they’re probably his favorite team, but it feels like Alabama and Georgia have surged into the final weeks here. Florida still has a shot if Mullen can sell Arnold on his new coaching hires, but Alabama seems to be the team to beat as the Crimson Tide feel he’s one of the top few defensive backs in this class.
2. Ty Chandler can pick up the UNC running game where it left off.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. We liked Chandler out of high school a lot, in fact much better than North Carolina stars Javonte Williams or Michael Carter, but it’s going to be hard for him to match either back at UNC. We are talking about two of the nation’s 10 best running backs being replaced by a guy who has struggled to find his footing in FBS football. He won’t be asked to do it all of course, but the UNC running game will take a step back losing Williams and Carter. It just has to.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Chandler is coming from an offense that averaged just 21.5 points per game. Opponents knew the Vols were not much of a passing threat, so Chandler had limited opportunities in a two-back system with Eric Gray. Unleash him in North Carolina’s offense that knows what it’s doing and has playmakers all over the place and Chandler is going to shine. Williams and Carter had incredible seasons and Chandler might not be that productive but he’s going to have a great season in Chapel Hill because the play-callers will put him in spots to excel.
3. Charleston Rambo is easily WR1 at Miami.
Farrell’s take: FACT. The Miami receivers have been erratic in recent years with guys like Mark Pope falling well short of expectations. Meanwhile Rambo had been solid in a system with many stars at Oklahoma and has the experience and skill set to impact right away. He’s instantly the top threat on the team at wideout.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. With Mike Harley coming back after a season where he finished with 57 receptions for 799 yards and seven touchdowns, he’s WR1 at Miami next season. But Rambo is going to be an outstanding addition to the Canes’ offense even though his stats dropped from his sophomore to junior year at Oklahoma. Still, Rambo is a talented receiver, a former Rivals100 prospect and another major weapon for Miami’s offense.