Fact or Fiction: Uiagalelei vs. Swinney, NCAA vs. Tez Walker, Caleb Williams vs. the Cardinals

In today’s Fact or Fiction, I look at three big recent topics in college football and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

1. DJ Uiagalelei’s dad should be taking shots at Dabo.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

It’s an odd situation and hard to figure out. After this tweet, it’s clearer than ever that DJ’s dad has a serious axe to grind in regard to his son’s treatment at Clemson. But it seems odd to me. Dabo Swinney stuck with DJ much longer than many expected him to do, defended his average play over and over again, and was honestly very slow with the hook here. Dabo doesn’t like the portal, that’s clear, and he’s never been keen on NIL but he always seemed to be in the Uiagalelei corner. Big Dave should let this go.

Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) passes the ball during the spring showcase at Reser Stadium, Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore.

2. The NCAA denying Tez Walker is insanity.

Farrell’s take: FACT

Rules are rules and such but let’s be clear: We are in a portal age, where rampant tampering exists, and NIL is illegally used to lure players to schools. So when Walker wants to come home in his second transfer when the first one shouldn’t have counted (his team’s season was canceled), this just seems dumb and punitive. Players like Joey Gatewood and JT Daniels transfer multiple times with no question, and the NCAA doubles down on this? The easy decision here would be to allow the transfer. As we all know, unlimited transfers are coming soon, but once again, the NCAA can’t get out of their own way.

Sep 2, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown huddles with his team during a time out during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bank of America Stadium.

3. Caleb Williams would actually return to USC next season.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

His dad says it could happen, but I say it won’t. Williams is likely to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft next April, and many expect the Arizona Cardinals to tank to land him. And this is a clear shot across the bow against the Cardinals by Caleb’s dad, which is all fine and dandy. But coming back would be dumb. Even with NIL, Williams would be losing a year on his rookie deal by staying and keep him a year further away from what would likely be a $60 million a year second deal for an NFL team. And if he stays? Arizona could still suck and be holding the No. 1 pick. He won’t be back.