Take Two: Where do things stand with four-star Malik Hornsby?
Take Two returns with a daily offering tackling an issue in the college football landscape. Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com national recruiting director Mike Farrell and an expert from the Rivals.com network of team sites or a regional analyst.
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THE STORYLINE
Malik Hornsby is a four-star quarterback so he’s being heavily pursued by many programs and his recruitment has already taken numerous twists and turns after a commitment to North Carolina.
The Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall standout is now back on the market and he recently told Rivals.com that “everybody” has a chance to land his next pledge, although there are some schools that are starting to stand out.
Hornsby is looking at a lot of programs - and new ones are coming in often - but he definitely wants to be recruited as a quarterback and not an athlete.
That leaves Florida State and Houston as two programs that definitely could make a run at Hornsby, who is expected to visit Tallahassee later this fall.
But Houston is intriguing as well, especially since the Cougars have done so well with quarterbacks and coach Dana Holgorsen runs a pass-friendly program.
Could Houston pull the upset here over Florida State, will the Seminoles jump way out in front after his upcoming visit or is another program looking best?
FIRST TAKE: SAM SPIEGELMAN, TEXAS & LOUISIANA ANALYST
“I think he’s open to everybody at least for the moment, but I do give Florida State a slight edge based on the developments over the last couple weeks. That was the newest school where he set an official visit. Kendal Briles has a relationship with him dating back to his time at Houston. The relationship is there and they’re one of the finalists for his teammate, Devon Achane.
“Florida State is in desperate need of depth at that position and it seems like a logical connection between Florida State and Hornsby.”
SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, NATIONAL RECRUITING DIRECTOR
“Florida State is still a national name. I know it’s a mess there right now and maybe Willie Taggart is on the hot seat, but he has that buyout so he’s not going anywhere soon. Florida State still has the name recognition to pull a quarterback like that.
“Houston is interesting because their last couple quarterbacks have been stat-stuffers and put up big numbers, but that hasn’t translated to the NFL. If Hornsby had to choose between the two of them, he would probably pick Florida State.”