Rivals national recruiting analyst Nick Harris, along with national recruiting director Adam Gorney, Cole Patterson of Orangebloods.com and Ben Golan of RedRaiderSports.com look at three topics and determine whether they think each is FACT or FICTION.
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1. Texas Tech has a legitimate shot at landing five-star wide receiver Micah Hudson.
Harris' take: FACT. Five-star wide receiver Micah Hudson has prioritized relationships to the umpteenth degree during his recruitment, and if you ask him, there is one clear frontrunner in the relationship department: Texas Tech. His relationships with multiple staffers, specifically director of scouting Brian Nance, has the Red Raiders set to host Hudson on an unofficial visit once again this weekend for its junior day event. If Texas Tech can show off some things on the field for Hudson in 2023, there is no reason why Joey McGuire and his staff shouldn't at least feel like they're in the top two or three to the very end. It will be a tough battle with other national powers, but Texas Tech has the relationship piece and the NIL ability to compete to the very end.
Golan's take: FACT. Is Texas Tech the favorite? Probably not, but I’m not sure one exists for Hudson. From everything I hear it’s Texas Tech, Texas, Ohio State and Texas A&M in some order, with the Red Raiders having as good of a shot as any other program. Hudson, whose dad Desmond Royal played defensive tackle in Lubbock in the late 80s/early 90s, has been a target for the Red Raiders since Joey McGuire got the job in November 2021. Hudson has taken multiple visits to West Texas, and will once again be on campus this coming weekend for Texas Tech’s Junior Day.
Along with McGuire, Hudson has great relationships with director of scouting Brian Nance and wide receivers coach Justin “Juice” Johnson. Those three and the rest of the staff have made Hudson a priority in the 2024 class, and have Texas Tech right in the mix for his commitment.
The Red Raiders have never signed a five-star prospect out of the HS ranks in Rivals' history, and this will be their best shot to get on the board with Hudson.
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2. Devin Sanchez is further along in his development than former teammate Denver Harris was at this same point.
Harris' take: FACT. Galena Park (Texas) North Shore 2025 four-star cornerback Devin Sanchez has the potential to cement his spot as the top prospect in the state of Texas in the upcoming 2025 rankings update, similar to how his former teammate and 2022 five-star cornerback Denver Harris was able to do early in his own respective recruitment. However, Sanchez's ceiling is even higher given his length and quick twitch/movement on the perimeter against any style of pass-catcher. While Harris provided a true lockdown presence during his entire career at North Shore, Sanchez might end up being the best to ever go through the Eastside.
Gorney's take: FACT. At the same stage, Harris was a little more instinctual and broke on the ball a little better but Sanchez has more length and closes better. Where Harris would take some unnecessary risks to make the big play, Sanchez controls himself better, doesn't bite on routes and then can turn and run with any receiver. He reminds me a little of Eli Ricks at the same stage because of his length and ability to pick off passes because of it. The two might have played at the same high school but Harris and Sanchez were different styles of cornerback. I prefer Sanchez at the same stage.
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3. The talent in the state of Mississippi in the 2024 class is the strongest its been in more than 10 years.
Harris' take: FACT. While the 2016 and 2019 classes in the state of Mississippi have already proven to have the longevity in college football and in the NFL, I think the 2024 class will eventually eclipse both of those peaks when it's all said and done. Talents such as five-star Kamarion Franklin, four-stars Jamonta Waller, Braylon Burnside and JJ Harrell only scratch the surface in this class. The difference is also how deep the class is on the defensive line with the position group only continuing to increase in importance as time goes on.
Patterson's take: FICTION. I lean fiction, but I think the 2024 class has a chance to earn that status by the end of the cycle. The class of 2016 was a loaded year in the Magnolia State, highlighted by NFL stars Jeffery Simmons, AJ Brown, and DK Metcalf. Raekwon Davis, Marquiss Spencer, and Benito Jones were all very solid players as well.
In 2019, the state was led by Charles Cross and Nakobe Dean. Jerrion Ealy, Derick Hall, Jonathan Mingo, and KJ Jefferson were also coveted prospects that have since developed into difference makers.With that said, 2024 has a chance to be special due to the starpower at the top and overall depth. Franklin has already earned five-star status. Terrance Hibbler and Harrell are two other Rivals100 recruits. In all, there are 15 four-stars and several FBS-caliber recruits in Mississippi. It would not come as a surprise to see this year's class take the crown for the best in the last decade.
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