Fact or Fiction: USC's fast start should be considered a surprise
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: Five programs off to surprising starts for 2021
1. USC's fast start in 2021 is a surprise.
Farrell’s take: FACT. You wouldn’t think so but after such a horrible recruiting year in 2020, it’s a big deal that USC has three early commitments and all are four stars. I never thought I’d say this in my career but USC needs a huge recruiting year more than any other team in the country. And their strong start, although it’s a small sample size, is a surprise.
Gorney’s take: FACT. There has been a significant reset felt by 2021 and 2022 prospects who were at a recent junior day at USC. Having at least some clarity on Clay Helton’s future is important. Keeping Graham Harrell was important. Bringing in many fresh faces including new defensive coordinator Todd Orlando will be crucial.
A lot of elite players in Southern California still want to play at USC, but they want to see development and wins this season. The Trojans have loaded up early with three four-star prospects, including quarterback Jake Garcia and a good start early next season could help even more.
2. Even with a new $6 million per year contract, Ryan Day is underpaid.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Day will make $6 million a year soon on his new deal and that makes sense. Based on his recruiting results and playoff appearance in season one, he should be paid as much or more than Jim Harbaugh and he’s well short of that. But here’s how it works — a couple more great years and Day will have his deal extended/re-done and he will be a $10 million a year man as he should be.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Underpaid? Don’t make me laugh. Day had an excellent first season but his contract is incredibly lucrative and it’s only going to make him richer in the years to come. Ohio State will continue to be one of the nation’s best teams and should regularly be in the College Football Playoff hunt but, no, Day is not underpaid. Let’s consider that the governor of Ohio makes about $153,000 per year and that job is slightly more important and complicated than running a football team.
3. North Carolina is the biggest recruiting threat to Clemson in the ACC.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. I love what Mack Brown is doing and the way he is recruiting, but Clemson can still get prospects from North Carolina that it wants when it wants for the most part. Florida State is the biggest threat as Mike Norvell gets rolling in recruiting. There is a nice buzz about the program and I think he starts sneaking into Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and other key states for Clemson and starts to compete. Notice I said compete. Clemson is still the king of the world in the ACC.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. I have to agree with Farrell here. Florida State is definitely the biggest threat to Clemson, especially since it’s expected that Mike Norvell will turn the Seminoles around and make them a contender again. If Norvell can close down some more in-state recruiting and then dip into the Southeast for some other elite prospects that’s going to hurt Clemson’s recruiting efforts.
Also, if Miami can get any traction with top-notch prospects in South Florida, the Hurricanes could be a threat as well. North Carolina is recruiting well and playing well under Brown, but Clemson will not lose a lot of those recruiting battles. Florida State, though, could beat Clemson for some kids if the Seminoles show any signs of life.