Fact or Fiction: Williams Nwaneri deserves to be No. 1 in the nation
Rivals national analyst Clint Cosgrove is joined by Sean Williams of PowerMizzou.com, Josh Henschke of Maize&BlueReview.com and Eliot Clough of GoIowaAwesome.com determine whether they believe these statements are FACT or FICTION.
MORE FROM THE MIDWEST: Four tough rankings questions | Four-star QB Carter Smith commits to Michigan
*****
FINAL 2023 TEAM RANKINGS: Comprehensive (overall) ranking | High school/JUCO ranking | Transfer portal ranking
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer portal player ranking | Transfer portal team ranking | Transfer Tracker | Message board
*****
1. Missouri commit Williams Nwaneri deserves to be the No. 1 player in the nation in the updated rankings.
Cosgrove’s take: FACT. The Missouri commit deserves to be the top 2024 player in my opinion, but there are no guarantees he will land No. 1 come the next rankings release. Not only do I believe Nwaneri is likely the most physically gifted and talented player in the class, the fact there seems to be some disagreement among the Rivals analysts as to who the top 2024 quarterback is makes me believe Nwaneri should get the nod. He’s the best player at the position of highest draft value behind quarterback.
Williams’ take: FACT. They don't make them quite like Nwaneri, 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, lengthy, quick, and a perfect example of an athletic freak. Naturally, teams shied away from Nwaneri's side of the field this season, but that didn't stop the five-star from racking up 46 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and six sacks with 20 quarterback hurries. He's Missouri's marquee commitment and is destined to make an impact as a true freshman.
*****
2. The commitment of Carter Smith could signal Bryce Underwood is leaning elsewhere.
Cosgrove’s take: FICTION. This one makes me think a little, because even though I always believed Michigan would take two quarterbacks in 2025 I thought it would look more like Underwood and a different quarterback than Smith. I could be wrong about the staff’s QB board, but taking Smith this early makes me wonder a little about how the staff feels about its chances with Underwood. But at the end of the day I’m going to go "fiction," because there is no way they would wave the white flag on Underwood this early. If anything, I think coach Jim Harbaugh would go harder in his pursuit of Underwood if he thought they were losing a grip on his recruitment.
Henschke’s take: FICTION. The Wolverines have been open with Smith and Underwood that they would take two quarterbacks in the 2025 recruiting class and neither guy seems all too worried about shying away from competition. Michigan has the potential to see some attrition at the quarterback position after this season, with J.J. McCarthy potentially heading for the NFL Draft and a handful of quarterbacks buried on the depth chart could hit the portal looking for playing time. On top of that, Michigan did not take a QB in the 2023 class. With that in mind, there is a need for depth, and the Wolverines have answered it in a major way if they can secure both Smith and Underwood in the class, and we still think the in-state prospect views the program highly.
*****
3. Nick Brooks will ultimately sign with Iowa after decommitting from the Hawkeyes.
Cosgrove’s take: FICTION. Had you asked me if Brooks would’ve ever decommitted from Iowa in the first place I would have said “fiction.” But now that he has, I think it will be more of an uphill battle for the Hawkeyes to reel the four-star back in. Brooks appears to be looking for stability in the program, and right now there isn’t a ton on the offensive side of the ball at Iowa.
Iowa is typically synonymous with stability, but that only lasts so long in the coaching world, and although I believe Kirk Ferentz has earned the right to retire when he feels he is ready to do so, you have to wonder how much longer he feels like coaching - especially after seeing the way his son was treated by the fan base. Should Ferentz retire, then all bets could be off with Brooks.
Clough’s take: FACT. Brooks’ decision to decommit from Iowa wasn’t the most shocking thing in the world. He’s a four-star, top 150 recruit with nearly every top-tier Power Five program waiting at his doorstep. Throw in a coaching change and the uncertainty surrounding just how long Ferentz will be with the program and the foundations of the Iowa football program seem much less solid than in the previous 25 years.
Brooks wants stability. He wants to be around his family in eastern Iowa – especially after spending his freshman and sophomore years in Georgia. He feels cared for by the Iowa staff. He feels loved by the fans. He sees an NFL future after picking the Hawkeyes.
He also wants to fully experience recruiting without a commitment holding him back. Just because he retracted his commitment for now doesn’t mean it will stay that way.