Fact or Fiction: Vols are back in play for Arik Gilbert
In today’s Fact or Fiction, Rivals National Columnist Mike Farrell looks at three topics in college football and decides whether he thinks the statements are FACT or FICTION.
*****
THREE-POINT STANCE: Exciting Big 12 players, Jaydon Blue, NFL prospects
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals100
RIVALS TRANSFER TRACKER: Stories/coverage | Message board
RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Info/coverage on 2021 camp series
*****
1. Derion Kendrick will end up at Georgia.
FARRELL'S TAKE: FACT. That’s what I’m hearing. The former Clemson star got back in the discussion this week when some rumors floated my way about a possible decision next week. Now it appears that Georgia is the program to beat.
Derion Kendrick is still finishing classes at Clemson and is waiting on gun and possession charges to be dropped but, if all goes well for him, he could be a key piece to the Bulldogs' defense next season.
*****
2. The Vols are back in play for Arik Gilbert.
FARRELL'S TAKE: FACT. Well, to an extent. I heard some in Arik Gilbert's family don’t want him back at LSU, that Georgia is a possibility and that his comfort level with Harrison Bailey is strong and Tennessee could be a happy medium for everyone.
However, he has academic issues that could block everything and there’s not assurance that he will end up anyplace but JUCO next season as well. It all depends on which programs want to clear the numerous hurdles to get him.
*****
3. Iowa State's Charlie Kolar is the best tight end in the country.
FARRELL'S TAKE: FICTION. Charlie Kolar came back for this season when he could have been in the 2021 NFL Draft and he’s a name on the radar for many NFL teams for 2022.
But make no mistake — Jalen Wydermyer at Texas A&M is TE1 in the 2022 NFL Draft and it’s not that close. Wydermyer won’t be a top-five pick like Kyle Pitts but top 20 is possible. He’s expected to have a massive season.