Fact or fiction: Tennessee has the best quarterback room in the country

Competitors nationwide recruiting analysts Sam Spiegelman Joined by National Recruitment Analyst Marshall Levenson, Greg Smith and John Garcia Jr. Address three topics and determine whether they believe each statement is fact or fiction.

Levenson: Fact. There are a few options to make this happen, but the main reason I say one of them is to sign with an in-state program is because it would be weird not to. It would be unusual for any of the top 10 candidates in the state to go out of state for college and I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi is the clear candidate to stay close to home. His recruitment appears to be a battle between Texas and Oklahoma, with both states feeling better than the other at times. The current state of Austin’s program along with his coaching ability and zero chance make the Horns well-positioned to lure him later this month.

The next available option is five-star guard Jonah Williams. Williams has both Texas and Texas A&M in his top five, and while the Longhorns don’t appear to be the primary options, the Aggies are in the mix. They’ll have to battle LSU, Oregon and USC, but Mike Elko His staff was in a pretty good position to sign him.

Beyond those two, it’s difficult to predict any shifts that might come late in the cycle, but another area to watch is prospects that could crack the top 10 in the state rankings. Of course, some of these candidates are already committed to in-state plans to compete in primaries. Regardless of the outcome, I expect Texas’ top-10 recruit to remain in the state when the dust settles.

Spiegelman: Facts. This is a unique cycle, with the majority of Texas’ top 10 prospects committing out of state. However, that’s the trend for 2025 – at least heading into the season. Texas is in the midst of a tight race to land five-star offensive lineman Michael Fasusi, while Texas A&M continues to waive five-star guard Jonah Williams.

Additionally, top-100 prospect receiver Kaliq Lockett and defensive lineman Lance Jackson are both in-state prospects for the Longhorns and should challenge for top-10 in-state status as soon as possible. So it seems like a strong bet that Texas and Texas A&M will have multiple players in the top ten.

Smith: Fiction. This is a fascinating yet difficult question to answer. Tennessee has good reason for this. Volunteers are a hot topic in college football right now, but I’ll go with the others. The job Ohio State has done recruiting quarterbacks is very impressive.

The battle between transfers Will Howard and Julian Saine is now raging in fall camp. Both have started on 90% of the teams in the United States this season and performed at a high level. The “forgotten” players in Ohio State’s quarterback room are former four-stars Lincoln Kenholz and Al Nolan. Keinholz has had plenty of opportunities to enter the portal this offseason but has failed to do so so far.

Then, in the 2025 class, Ohio State has perhaps the best prospect in the country with commit Tavien St. Clair. Therefore, it is well-positioned both now and in the future. I would choose Ohio State’s quarterback room and recruit over anyone else in America.

Spiegelman: Novel. Tennessee has a fantastic quarterback room with one of the best young quarterbacks in college football in Nico Iamaleava in the class of 2025 and George MacIntyre in the 2026 class and Faizon Brandon, among several talented young players. However, in terms of overall room, I’m leaning toward Texas, Ohio, and Oregon.

Quinn Ewers is back to lead one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and the former five-star prospect is projected to be a first-round draft pick. Behind him is another former No. 1 overall player, Arch Manning, who the analyst believes will start to attract more attention later this fall.

Will Howard is the guy in Columbus, but behind him are truly talented former five-stars Julian Saine and Al Nolan, and going forward, five-star quarterback Tavion St. Clair is coming. Also looking at Oregon State, Dillon Gabriel is taking over for Bo Nix and former five-star Dante Moore is waiting in the wings.

If we look at the current room and the future, let’s not turn a blind eye to what’s brewing at LSU. Top-100 passer Garrett Nussmeier is taking shots alongside Rickie Collins and Colin Hurley. Five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood will add even more talent to the room when he arrives in January.

Relevant: Spiegelman and Smith discuss Vols’ quarterback room on the Respect My Decision podcast

Share your thoughts with Tennessee fans at VOLREPORT.COM

GARCIA: Facts. The numbers from July to August tell a solid story, with the program adding a dozen recruits between the classes of 2025 and 2026, but more will almost certainly be added in the short term. Not only is Auburn looking for top talent from other programs after firing two top prospects from rival Alabama in late July, but Hugh Freeze The company now appears poised to answer its biggest hiring question. Two top-five caliber games in late summer were great and perhaps unprecedented on the Plains, but Freeze was brought in to turn the offense around and the standout rookie quarterback eluded him.

By all accounts, Auburn will turn around long-time Notre Dame commit and current No. 1 dual-threat quarterback Deuce Knight before the season begins. If it pulls off the steal, the combination of numbers and perception will similarly help AU become a winner this offseason from a recruiting standpoint.

Spiegelman: Facts. There’s been a changing of the guard in Alabama this summer, starting with a productive official visiting season in June, followed by massive runs during and after Big Cat Weekend in late July. Fully demonstrated.

Auburn signs key in-state targets Eric Winters, Anquon Fegans, Jared Smith, beats out of Penn State Top-100 running back Alvin Henderson from State College and Derick Smith and Antonio Coleman from Alabama.

Meanwhile, the Tigers beat out Ohio State and other teams in the process to land prized defensive tackle Malik Autry.

The Tigers have no plans to slow down, either. Freeze’s program is working seriously with longtime Notre Dame quarterback Deuce Knight and four-star receiver Sam Turner, who is currently at Georgia Tech. Auburn made a splash within the state with a top-five class entering the season.

Relevant: Spiegelman and Smith discuss Auburn recruiting on ‘Respect My Decision’ podcast | Auburn-Alabama gets interesting off the field, too

Share your thoughts with Auburn fans at AUBURNSPORTS.COM