Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney and national recruiting analyst Adam Friedman along with Parker Thune of OUInsider.com and Marcus Benjamin of CanesCounty.com tackle three topics and determine whether they believe each statement is FACT or FICTION.
1. After seeing him in person, Jadyn Davis should be back in the five-star discussion.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I didn’t love Jadyn Davis during his summer showings at the Steve Clarkson QB Retreat or the Elite 11, not that he was terrible by any means but he didn’t keep pace with the elite quarterbacks in this class. He also has a distinctive dipping of the ball that concerns me but probably could be corrected in short order. There can be only so many five-stars and right now Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin and Air Noland are the quarterbacks we think have the best shot of being first-round draft picks. But Davis throwing for 456 yards and five touchdowns in his season opener (when quarterbacks usually struggle timing up with receivers) is very, very impressive and game performance is more important than summer workouts. No one is eliminated from five-star contention, even former five-stars, so his performances this season will be factored in again.
Friedman’s take: FICTION. Davis has been a major prospect for such a long time that we’ve scouted him for years. Now a four-star prospect, it appears that that’s probably the right ranking for him although he still looks to be in the upper echelon of quarterbacks in the cycle. The Michigan commit put up huge numbers over the weekend and a big opening season win for Providence Day, but throughout the game, there were some questionable decisions and errant throws that need to be worked through. It could’ve been just the early season jitters because it was his first game of the year but, if the season ended today, Davis would likely stay a four-star prospect.
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2. Grant Brix should get more consideration for the No. 1 offensive tackle in the class.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I love Brandon Baker and he’s really talented so there is no problem with keeping him at No. 1 but more than most years, there isn’t an absolutely certain, clear top-ranked offensive tackle in this class. Grant Brix could be that guy – I just wish he could get some more national exposure and competition to see how he stacks up against elite edge rushers. That’s why I really hope we can see Brix at a national event somewhere to really get the best comparison possible. Baker is beating up some elite players every week and protecting Stanford QB commit Elijah Brown. We know what he brings to the table. It’s a little harder to get an accurate read on Brix bullying kids in rural western Iowa but there’s no doubt he’s an incredibly talented kid who might just be the best in the country.
Thune’s take: FACT. Brix is a quiet kid from a quiet small town in western Iowa, so he’s not been subject to a ton of exposure and he hasn’t really promoted himself of his own volition. But one look at his tape and it’s easy to see why he’s risen in the most recent iteration of the Rivals100. The kid is an absolute executioner on film. At 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds, he is remarkably nimble and incredibly powerful, but what stands out most about Brix’s game is his malicious mentality. He never takes a snap off, and he indiscriminately punishes any defender who lines up opposite him. Whether or not he participates in one of the national all-star showcases this winter, I’m counting on Brix’s senior film being dominant enough to warrant five-star consideration. He’s currently approaching the end of a recruitment process that’s come down to Nebraska, Oklahoma and Kansas State.
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3. Zaquan Patterson has now set his commitment date for Aug. 26. Miami should feel great about that.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. This has now become a battle between Miami and Florida State and there’s really no telling how this one will break in the coming days. The Hurricanes have been involved for so long and after being pushed in a bunch of different directions maybe the five-star safety is ready to just end it and pick Miami. Or maybe Zaquan Patterson is just ready to get it over with and get out of town picking Florida State which inarguably has more momentum toward a playoff run right now. Those two look far better than any other school but the timing of his commitment now coming up shortly doesn’t give me a strong feeling that one or the other have an edge heading into his announcement.
Benjamin’s take: FICTION. The Patterson recruitment is a topsy-turvy one. When the five-star announced his top five of Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State and Miami, most tabbed the local product to stay home with the Hurricanes. However, after a visit to Ann Arbor in the summer, this seemed like a Michigan/Miami battle until the end. Now, the consensus is that the Seminoles are leading, with Auburn as a distant fourth school.
Fellow five-star teammate Joshisa Trader made his commitment to the Hurricanes this month and many are urging the hybrid safety to commit maybe earlier than when he would like. With whatever school he chooses, the other three contending schools will continue to push for a flip until signing day.Miami shouldn’t feel ‘great’ about landing Zaquan Patterson, but the Canes should still feel very good about its chances.
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