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. Miami steals another in Illinois.
Farrell’s take: FACT
Nathaniel Marshall is a 5-star EDGE from Illinois, the state Mario Cristobal raided in 2024 landing DT Justin Scott and EDGE Marquise Lightfoot. And I think he has the lead for Marshall as well. Michigan, Auburn, and Illinois are others in the mix and he has ties to the Illini as his grandfather was a legendary hoops player there. But this comes down to more than that and Cristobal will utilize the two from 2024 to seal the deal on this one down the line and further own the state.
2. DL Elijah Griffin stays home.
Farrell’s take: FACT
Colorado (April 20) and Oregon (April 27) are getting official visits, Clemson got a visit in January, and USC and Miami got March visits but UGA is the team to beat here for the in-state prospect. They lost DT Justus Terry (for now) to USC but that won’t hurt with Griffin and actually might help. It’s hard to bet against UGA for anyone and they can’t lose two elite in-state DTs in the same cycle can they?
3. Nebraska leads for OT Malachi Goodman.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
The Huskers impressed him on a recent visit and Matt Rhule will recruit New Jersey well with his Northeast ties. But Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State are the lead dogs here in my opinion and I’d give the edge to the Nittany Lions. Alabama and Georgia are in here too and Nebraska will hang around but the Huskers are a bit of a longshot.
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