In today’s Fact or Fiction — Recruiting Edition — I look at three big recent topics from the recruiting trail and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.
1. Oregon was the true winner in 2023.
Farrell’s take: FACT
We all expected Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, LSU and others to have highly ranked classes. It happens every year. But Oregon? When Dan Lanning lost Dante Moore to UCLA a few days before the Early Signing Period everyone started to worry. Can he recruit like Mario Cristobal did at Oregon? Is he not a closer? Since then he’s landed at least four massive recruiting surprises including flipping QB Austin Novosad from Baylor. And while he wasn’t able to close on TE Nyckoles Harbor who chose South Carolina, he stole DB Rodrick Pleasant away from USC on Signing Day. The Ducks with a top 10 class is epic and shows a lot about Lanning as a recruiter.
2. South Carolina is shifting the power in state.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
I love what Shane Beamer is doing with the Gamecocks and landing Harbor is a muscle flex as is 2024 in state OL Kam Pringle but I have to pump the brakes a bit. Clemson still rules the roost. While in state recruiting is almost even in 2022 and 2023 or you could make a case for the Gamecocks having the edge let’s remember that Clemson recruits better regionally and nationally and don’t target as many in state kids. Clemson consistently produces top 10 classes and while the Gamecocks are gaining on them it’s still a sizeable talent difference yearly in recruiting.
3. Nebraska has the best class in the Big Ten West.
Farrell’s take: FACT
Matt Rhule’s impact is showing already as I have Nebraska as the top team in the 2023 class in the Big Ten West. Wisconsin had a small class and a coaching change as well but they beat Iowa, Minnesota and Purdue in year one under Rhule led by local WR Malachi Coleman.
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