Fact or Fiction: WR Evan Stewart will choose Texas
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 FACT OR FICTION: Will Johnson will follow Domani Jackson to USC | Tennessee is a top 10 job in college football
*****
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Making the Case for No. 1 | How things stand with the uncommitted players in the Rivals250 | The top five-star candidates
Tuesday: New Rivals250 released | Breaking down the new five-stars | Biggest movers in new ranking
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | Schools with the most R250 players
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
*****
1. WR Evan Stewart will choose Texas.
Farrell’s take: FACT. The speedy 2022 wide receiver from Texas tweeted that his decision has been made and speculation was wild all day Monday. Will it be Alabama, Oregon, Texas or someone else? I have a feeling part of his affection for Alabama was because of Steve Sarkisian and Stewart will pick the Longhorns now that Sarkisian is the head man at Texas. I’m just not sure how quickly this will happen. Stewart has kept everything close to the vest so far, but the Longhorns seem to be the logical move.
Gorney’s take: FACT. At Alabama, Sarkisian showed what he can do with speedy receivers and that has captured Stewart’s attention. My bet is that he ends up with the Longhorns and looks to be that fast slot receiver that gets the ball in space and makes people miss. Oregon is intriguing because the Ducks have recruited him hard and Alabama is Alabama, so it will never be out of a recruitment, but Texas looks like the spot and he should be a good fit there.
*****
2. Georgia is now the team to beat for Terrion Arnold.
Farrell’s take: FACT. This is a hunch, but I think a good one for the four-star safety from Florida. He had been linked to Alabama early and then the Gators, but I’m hearing the immediate playing time and impact he can make at UGA will be the factor here. We will know in a week or so.
Gorney’s take: FACT. The closer this gets to National Signing Day, the more it looks like Georgia is absolutely the team to beat, although I’ve been told it’s not a lock yet. Florida might even be moving on to other targets, especially in the transfer portal, because the Gators are loaded up at defensive back. That might bring Alabama back in late but I doubt it. Georgia looks like it will land Arnold. He’s close with Xavien Sorey and the Bulldogs need defensive backs like Arnold, who has the talent to see the field early.
*****
3. JT Tuimoloau will end up at Ohio State.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. I keep hearing that the Buckeyes are fading with the five-star DE from Washington, but I’m not sure what to believe. Some say Alabama has the edge now, while others say Oregon and some say watch out for USC. It’s just a guess, but Oregon is the team to beat down the stretch here for me.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. This is maybe the toughest call in the entire 2021 class because Tuimoloau stays really quiet about what he’s thinking, but I’ve been told that it’s Oregon if he decides to stay home and Alabama if he decides to go away. That does not mean Ohio State is out, because some people might be trying to throw us off the scent, and USC could sneak in and land him because of his relationship with position coach Vic So’oto. But my guess right now is that he doesn’t end up with the Buckeyes.