Portal Fact or Fiction: LSU's Haul, J.T. Shrout, Micah Bernard Returns to Utah

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mike Farrell | Last updated 1/31/23

In today’s Fact or Fiction — transfer portal edition — I look at three big recent topics from the transfer portal and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

LSU helped themselves the most in the SEC so far.

Farrell’s take: FACT

The LSU portal class lacks a QB but it’s very impressive otherwise, more impressive than solid classes from Auburn and Ole Miss. While the roster for the Auburn Tigers needs a massive boost and Lane Kiffin loads up on QBs, Brian Kelly killed it at WR, DB, and on the defensive line. This class could help them make a push for the SEC West title.

2. JT Shrout is better off at Arkansas State.

Farrell’s take: FACT

Butch Jones and Arkansas State are no great shakes but it’s better than the mess up in Colorado. Shrout wasn’t great up there by any means but when Deion Sanders all but handed the QB job to his son Shedeur at his opening press conference I would have bailed too. A step down in competition for the former Tennessee and Colorado QB will do him well and Arkansas State probably has a better team next year to be honest. Okay that’s going a bit far but they did win two more games than the Buffs last season.

3. Utah hit a home run getting RB Micah Bernard back.

Farrell’s take: FACT

It’s a crowded backfield for sure at Utah but Bernard tested the waters out there and sees that there’s no place like home. He’s shown signs of being an elite feature back and he makes Utah much more dangerous so having him return is like a portal win — and a big one.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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