Truth or Fiction: Ohio State will maintain onto the No. 1 class
Rivals nationwide recruiting analyst Marshall Levenson is joined by Dale Dowden of VolReport.com, nationwide recruiting analyst Greg Smith and nationwide recruiting director Adam Gorney to sort out three subjects and decide whether or not they imagine every assertion is FACT or FICTION.
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1. Ohio State will maintain onto the No. 1 class within the nation by means of signing day.
Smith: FACT. The Buckeyes have paced the 2025 cycle for some time now after Notre Dame received off to a sizzling begin. They’ve persistently added top-flight expertise to the 2025 class and have even had gamers transfer up the rankings.
There are solely a pair gamers which can be at risk of flipping away from this system proper now. However the group may undergo a loss or two and nonetheless maintain on to the highest spot. Ohio State is presently outpacing the full factors (3,202) that final 12 months’s No. 1 staff, Georgia, had (3,156) within the 2024 cycle. If LSU pulls off a number of flips it might probably make issues actually attention-grabbing however the Buckeyes have an excessive amount of firepower within the class. It’s a deep group led by the No. 1 participant, Tavien St. Clair, and a bevy of big-time defensive backs.
Levenson: FACT. I nearly mentioned fiction right here as a result of LSU, Alabama and Georgia will proceed their traits of touchdown elite expertise all through this cycle. However it’s Ohio State and I would be foolish to behave like they will not do the identical. Now, on the planet of recruiting, come November and December, there’ll certainly be flips that utterly throw off what we see now within the rankings, however odds are Ohio State will probably be concerned with a few of these higher-profile gamers anyway. So I’m going to experience with the Buckeyes given their present lead and say they’ll fend off those that are considerably nipping at their heels at the moment.
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2. Omarion Robinson has an opportunity to be the No. 1 security in 2025.
Gorney: FICTION. I like Omarion Robinson. He was one of the best security on the Rivals 5-Star this summer season which was loaded with expertise at each place. He’s a complete ball hawk, good, he has nice instincts and the Oklahoma commit does an exceptional job making performs all around the discipline. He positively deserved a large bump within the newest rankings. However Hylton Stubbs and Trey McNutt are additionally elite, possess all those self same skills and are barely extra spectacular due to their size. Robinson may find yourself extra within the five-star dialogue however passing Stubbs and McNutt within the total rankings will in all probability be a serious hurdle.
Levenson: FICTION. I posed this query on account of Robinson’s latest steep rise from outdoors the highest 100 to No. 34 total, which brings up the query of how excessive he can proceed to rise. After seeing him at Rivals 5-Star, I completely imagine he is likely one of the finest safeties in America. However I’ve to agree with Gorney right here. He’s on the identical taking part in stage as Stubbs and McNutt, however they do possess some barely higher measurables at the moment. And measurables matter, particularly whenever you’re splitting hairs at a place. Robinson will definitely be in five-star rivalry both approach shifting ahead.
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3. David Sanders Jr. could be crucial prospect in Josh Heupel’s time at UT thus far.
Dowden: FICTION. Though David Sanders is a large piece and is likely one of the most essential prospects below Josh Heupel, you must look again to Nico Iamaleava. The dedication of Iamaleava introduced in lots of items, not solely within the 2023 class however 2024 as properly. Prospects within the courses of 2025 and 2026 additionally reference him.
At this level, you may make an argument both approach, however with out Iamaleava and the items he attracted, you must query if Sanders could be as interested by Tennessee.
Levenson: FICTION. I adopted the identical thought course of as Dowden in right here in that it will be powerful to not give the nod to Iamaleava. Not solely does he play crucial place on a staff, however Dowden’s level of Sanders’ curiosity doubtlessly being strengthed merely due to his presence may be very compelling. If the Vols land Sanders, it ought to definitely be celebrated, there is not any doubt about that. And I am positive it would even really feel like a much bigger win for Heupel and his workers if he commits just because Iamaleava dedicated a lot, a lot earlier within the course of.
