Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney and national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman along with Julie Boudwin from TigerDetails.com tackle three topics and determine whether they believe each statement is FACT or FICTION.
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1.Texas losing on Saturday hurt its chances with Arch Manning, who was at the game.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Arch Manning and the circle around him will not let one game - or maybe even Steve Sarkisian’s first season - at Texas determine where he ends up. The offense, how the quarterback is used, the surrounding cast and so much more is going to be important. Manning likes Austin, he likes Sarkisian and how he calls an offense. The history and tradition at Texas are all positives for the Longhorns. But there is going to be stiff competition with Alabama, Clemson, Ole Miss, Georgia, maybe LSU and others involved. It’s too early to know what Manning is really thinking and even if he’s determined a true front-runner. Texas remains a big-time player but a few more wins in these close games certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Spiegelman’s take: FICTION. I would not put win-loss record too high on Manning's checklist for prospective schools. More important was Manning taking in the sights and scenes of game-day in Austin, his conversations with the Longhorns coaches and his feeling on how the offense looks and will develop over the next few years. There is no doubt that Texas has some momentum in the five-star quarterback's recruitment, but Georgia, Alabama, Ole Miss and Clemson aren't going anywhere. In fact, those close to Manning believe he could explore more options even after his junior season. In other words, it's a long way to go and no schools, including Texas, are out of it yet.
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2. With Ed Orgeron out after this season, Quency Wiggins will end up at Texas or Florida.
Gorney’s take: FACT. The feeling out there is that LSU and Florida are the top two right now and with all the upheaval and uncertainty in Baton Rouge - even though Quency Wiggins is from there - the Gators have a real shot in his recruitment. I would not be surprised a single iota if the high four-star defensive end lands with the Tigers especially as the coaching situation plays itself out but Florida is a real contender here. He loved his visit there, the Gators have elite defensive linemen as well and I would absolutely not count out Florida in this spot.
Boudwin’s take: FICTION. I'm still not buying the Quency Wiggins to Texas move regardless of who the coach is at LSU in the future. I do know Wiggins enjoyed his official to Florida and he hopes to return before ultimately making his decision. I also believe Alabama to still be in play here too. But Wiggins is one of the biggest in-state pieces for LSU in the 2022 class and the Tigers (and Ed Orgeron) have put in a lot of time with the four-star end. Those staffers in Baton Rouge will continue to heavily pursue him.
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3. Jacoby Mathews will be the first No. 1 player in the state of Louisiana to not go to LSU since Landon Collins in 2012 because Ed Orgeron is out.
Gorney’s take: FACT. My answer here can 100 percent change depending on the coaching hire but for the first time in a long time I wouldn’t be surprised if Jacoby Mathews leaves the state and plays at Texas or Texas A&M. The reason I say that is because Mathews has already been committed to LSU and backed off that pledge before all this recent turmoil.
Spiegelman’s take: FICTION. Mathews is taking a close look at Texas A&M, Texas and Alabama, while Georgia and USC have continued to knock on the door for the five-star safety from Louisiana, who over the spring was committed to these Tigers. Since backing off that commitment, LSU has remained squarely in the picture for Mathews, who has returned to Baton Rouge. He was more recently in Dallas looking at Texas-Oklahoma and was in Austin this past weekend. Mathews has a long list of other suitors and it remains to be seen who LSU tabs as its next coach. That coach will have to find a way to keep a player of Mathews' caliber in-state.
