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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CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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1. Tristan Leigh is the surprise commitment of the class.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. While Tristan Leigh committing to Clemson on Saturday was surprising, I still think Mario Williams' commitment to Oklahoma without a visit is the biggest surprise to me. Williams made his decision and never wavered once. This is while programs like Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and others all pursued. I expected Leigh to choose Oklahoma with his connection to QB Caleb Williams, so Clemson was a stunner, but give me Williams to the Sooners over that one.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Among the five-star prospects in the 2021 class, there were not many surprise decisions at all. We’re not patting ourselves on the back for that, it’s just that a lot of the top prospects either decided early and never wavered or picked the schools that were expected.
Leigh was the biggest surprise. For a while it seemed like Clemson was running in a distant third or fourth place with Oklahoma, LSU, Florida and Ohio State at times looking much better. For him to end up with the Tigers was a huge surprise in the final hours.
2. Steve Sarkisian can land LJ Johnson for Texas.
Farrell’s take: FACT. LJ Johnson is a must-get for the Longhorns in the 2021 class and is someone they can pair nicely with Bijan Robinson. I think Steve Sarkisian can close him. Selling his development of Najee Harris at Alabama will certainly help and Johnson has to like the way Sark uses running backs out of the backfield. I think offensively Sarkisian will sell the best fit.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Sark can do it, but I don’t expect Texas to land the really talented four-star running back. With only weeks before the late signing day, Texas A&M looks to be in the driver’s seat for Johnson, although it’s tough to know for sure because the Cypress (Texas) Fairbanks standout has been very quiet about his recruitment in recent weeks.
If Sarkisian had the opportunity for in-home visits and getting Johnson on campus and this was a traditional recruiting year, then Texas could close. But Texas A&M has been there from the beginning and I suspect he ends up with the Aggies.
3. Spencer Rattler should be the favorite for the Heisman next season.
Farrell’s take: FACT. I’m higher on Sam Howell at North Carolina overall, but let’s face it, Spencer Rattler is running the Oklahoma offense and the Sooners have a much better chance of winning out and making the playoff than the Tar Heels. With D.J. Uiagalelei replacing Trevor Lawrence, Clemson will still be the team to beat in the ACC and I don’t see anyone challenging Oklahoma next year in the Big 12. That means big numbers for Rattler.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. It certainly makes sense Rattler is the early odds-on favorite to win the Heisman and he should have another excellent season, but Howell should probably be tops on the leaderboard. He had more passing yards and touchdowns than Rattler this season and the Tar Heels' offense should be solid again next year.
I get the win/loss issue, but remember Lamar Jackson easily beat out DeShaun Watson in 2016 and Jackson had three losses to Watson's one at the time of the voting (and Watson won the head-to-head meeting). I also expect Uiagalelei to have a huge year, Howell to have a huge year and Iowa State running back Breece Hall should be getting serious consideration as well. After all, Hall had more rushing yards than Alabama’s Najee Harris this season.
