Portal Fact or Fiction: Arik Gilbert, RaRa Thomas to UGA, Shadeur Sanders' Impact

In today’s Fact or Fiction — transfer portal edition — I look at three big recent topics from the transfer portal and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

1. Arik Gilbert will be heavily pursued in the portal.

Farrell’s take: FACT

Gilbert has a ton of talent. We all know that. He was an easy five-star evaluation out of high school and showed that promise during his freshman season at LSU. But he has more off-field questions than catches recently so red flags will slow teams down, right? Nope. He’s far too talented for everyone to pass and a big-name Power Five team will be too tempted not to go after him. I won’t be shocked if he lands with Deion Sanders at Colorado. Tim Brewster almost brought him to Florida when he was there, so watch out for this one.

Georgia tight end Arik Gilbert (7) drives the ball down the field during the second half of a NCAA college football game between Vanderbilt and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Georgia won 55-0.

2. RaRa Thomas lands at Georgia.

Farrell’s take: FACT

The Mississippi State transfer has Auburn, Ole Miss and Tennessee on his list as well as UGA, and I’ve heard Auburn has made quite the impression. But in the end his first pick was always Georgia and I think that’s where his heart is.

Nov 5, 2022; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Rara Thomas (0) gestures during a run that would result in a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.

3. Shedeur Sanders is a difference maker for Colorado.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

I don’t see it. Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t see Sanders as an elite FBS quarterback with all the skills to lead a team towards a PAC 12 title and get early round NFL looks. And Deion Sanders is obviously locked in on his son as the starting QB which will keep others away. This could be a tough situation to navigate.