Fact or Fiction: Evan Pryor is a huge loss for North Carolina
National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
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1. Evan Pryor is a huge loss for North Carolina.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. Evan Pryor is a talent for sure and North Carolina would have loved to have him in this class but the Tar Heels are still in great shape for DeAndre Boykins and in the mix for Will Shipley and Trayveon Henderson among others. I said a few weeks ago it would be hard for North Carolina to land a big-time back but I really thought Mack Brown's program had a chance to turn the momentum away from Ohio State for Pryor. And I think he will still be in play until the end. It’s not time to panic yet, North Carolina fans.
Gorney’s take: FACT. We have been lavish with our praise for North Carolina coach Mack Brown and rightfully so because the Tar Heels have done an excellent job recruiting but not getting Pryor is a big-time miss for them. The Tar Heels still look great for Boykins but keeping more top players in-state has been a priority for Brown and must be if they are to emerge in the ACC. Ohio State has shown it can go anywhere for anybody but Pryor looked like he was headed to North Carolina so this commitment does hurt.
COMMITMENT ANALYSIS: Pryor to Ohio State
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2. Ohio State can hang on to the No 1 spot in 2021.
Farrell’s take: FACT. It’s hard for northern teams to win the recruiting title with less talent nearby and cold weather keeping some top prospects away but if one of those programs can do it then it’s Ohio State. Urban Meyer almost did it a few years ago and Ryan Day has things rolling. An SEC team will probably finish No. 1 but the Buckeyes can certainly be in the mix for No. 1 at the end as well.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Last recruiting cycle, Ohio State landed the top in-state prospect in offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr., a five-star receiver from Texas in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the No. 1 receiver in the country in five-star Julian Fleming and five four-star prospects who were right on the cusp of a five-star ranking. And after all that success, the Buckeyes still finished fifth overall. Ohio State already has 12 commitments in the 2021 class and it’s off to a fantastic start but the SEC powerhouses will emerge and others could come up as well. So I don’t see a way the Buckeyes finish No. 1 although their class will be great again.
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3. Notre Dame will have its best recruiting year in ages.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. While the Irish are off to a great start and Brian Kelly has promised higher-ranked recruiting classes, the coronavirus shutdown will hurt Notre Dame because South Bend is not as easily accessible for many high-profile recruits outside of official visits. For the Irish, in-person recruiting is as important at Notre Dame as it is anywhere. They will do well in 2021 but I don’t see a top-five finish.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Notre Dame was planning a massive junior day later this month that has been postponed if not canceled. That could hurt the Irish but they’re involved with many elite players in this class and it could be one of the best recruiting classes in recent memory. Four-stars Aaron Armitage, Will Shipley, Nolan Rucci, Garrett Dellinger, Rocco Spindler and many others were supposed to be in South Bend for that junior day and many are interested in the Irish. Notre Dame only has seven commitments but it’s ranked fourth in the team rankings since six of them are already four-stars. It’s going to be a tough stretch for every team but Notre Dame should come out of this with an outstanding recruiting class.