Fact or Fiction: Will Shipley is the next Christian McCaffrey
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: Behind Shipley's decision to go to Clemson | Caleb Williams announces finalists
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022: Top 100
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1. Will Shipley is the next Christian McCaffrey.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. This isn’t a slam on Shipley, as he’s an amazing back and we have him ranked higher than we had McCaffrey out of high school. But to think he can match McCaffrey’s college and pro career is lofty, to say the least. Shipley loves McCaffrey and emulates his game and he will be good, but if he turns out better than McCaffrey then he will be breaking NCAA records and the bank down the road.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I have no idea if Shipley is going to have a magical college career like McCaffrey had, especially in the 2015 season, or if he’s be a top-10 NFL Draft pick or if he’ll become the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Those are all incredibly lofty comparisons to make.
But Shipley is a dynamic running back with tremendous playmaking ability. He can get off the line and outrun defenders as a pass catcher and he’s outstanding out of the backfield as well. From a physical standpoint, McCaffrey definitely has the edge. But in terms of how they play the game, they’re actually really similar. The next McCaffrey? That’s a tough one. But in Clemson’s offense and with his playmaking style, Shipley is going to be great.
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2. Florida will win the battle of the big three.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Dan Mullen and his staff are set to go on a mini-run when it comes to big-name commitments, and they will further distance themselves as the top program in the state of Florida for recruiting. Miami has a solid class, but the recruiting stoppage has hurt Florida State a bit as Mike Norvell tries to build relationships. The Gators are in the best position right now.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Mullen recruited as well as possible at Mississippi State and now at Florida he’s also doing a great job with a much bigger talent pool. He has a commitment from the top player in the state in DE Tyreak Sapp, and there are rumors Florida looks good for WR Jacorey Brooks - and that could just be the start. Watch Florida, Miami and Florida State play: The Gators are clearly the best team on the field right now and Mullen is going to carry that over in recruiting, maybe by a wide margin.
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3. Garrett Nussmeier to LSU means Caleb Williams is more of a lock to OU than ever before.
Farrell’s take: FACT. LSU might want two quarterbacks in this class like it took last year, but Williams won’t be one of them with Nussmeier in the fold. It’s not that Williams is afraid of competition, but he was an OU lean before the Tigers landed the talented four-star, so this can only help Oklahoma - and to a lesser extent the dark horse Maryland Terrapins.
Gorney’s take: FACT. This has to mean Williams to Oklahoma is more of a lock than ever. The five-star quarterback will probably not be part of a two-man team to LSU now with Nussmeier committed. And while Maryland coach Mike Locksley can recruit well, I just don’t see Willilams picking the Terrapins.
Why not Oklahoma? If Lincoln Riley stays in Norman that long Williams would be playing for one of the best offensive minds in the entire game at a program that has become an absolute quarterback factory with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts recently and next up should be Spencer Rattler. Williams to Oklahoma just makes too much sense.