ESPN College GameDay

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel take stock of the latest notable players in the transfer portal, how they performed last season and what to expect from them next season. Then NFL Insider Field Yates joins to lift the curtain on the NFL Draft drama circulating around the Minnesota Vikings, QB Drake Maye and other teams trying to make a splash in this year's draft. Finally, they get into some QB drafting strategy and what aspects of a player can't be measured ahead of the draft. 0:00 Welcome 0:54 - What’s It Like To Have Dinner WIth Rece & Pete? 02:58 - Where Will CB Cormani McClain Transfer To? 06:05 - RB Damien Martinez Leaves Oregon St 09:24 - NFL Insider Field Yates Joins The Pod! 11:48 - Where Does The Drama Start In The NFL Draft? 13:23 - Addressing QB Drake Make Criticism 18:37 - How Many QBs Go In The First Round? 21:39 - QB Comparison: Michael Penix vs Bo Nix 25:04 - Draft A QB Backup Or Future Star? 28:55 - Prediting Draft Surprises At CB Position 29:47 - Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell 44:20 - What You Can’t Measure In The NFL Draft 44:48 - Film Study With NFL Insider Field Yates 46:08 - Do Fractional Arm Measurements Matter? 46:41 - Draft Night Conundrum: DT T'Vondre Sweat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Thamel and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello delve into UConn's NBA-like offense and the defense that won them a national title against Purdue. They also get into which UConn players will be remembered on this team. And looking to next season, they discuss what roster changes will happen and what Dan Hurley said about the Kentucky head coach job. 0:00 How UConn's defense helped them win 5:00 The stretch that determined the game 6:24 Which individual players will be remembered? 8:21 Where does UConn rank among repeat teams? 14:51 UConn's offense in comparison to an NBA offense 17:54 Dan Hurley responds to the Kentucky head coach job 19:58 What does UConn do to get a threepeat? 21:36 UConn's expected roster changes 22:35 Is there more college basketball news coming? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Thamel and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello recount how they came to break the news that John Calipari is leaving Kentucky and headed across the SEC to Arkansas. They also get into what they think Calipari will do with Arkansas' roster, who Calipari might hire, and whether or not Arkansas will reach the NCAA Men's Tournament Final Four round in the next four years. Lastly, they get into whether or not Kentucky can fill Calipari's spot with UConn's Dan Hurley, Chicago Bulls' Billy Donovan, or even Alabama's Nate Oats. 0:00 When the John Calipari-Arkansas whispers started 2:37 John Calipari's fall from dominance 4:49 How John Calipari fits in with Arkansas 6:15 The moment the John Calipari-Arkansas deal happened 10:52 Will Arkansas make the Final Four? 14:16 Kentucky basketball head coach candidates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello break down the Men's NCAA Final Four games - specifically the early slog in the NC State vs. Purdue game and the shooting performance Alabama's Mark Sears put up against UConn's Stephon Castle. And ahead of the championship game, they get into what UConn's Donovan Clingan needs to do to stop Purdue's Zach Edey. 0:00 No. 1 seeds set to face off in men's championship game 3:07 NC State vs. Purdue early slog 8:55 Should Purdue worry about Braden Smith? 14:57 UConn vs. Purdue battle of the bigs 19:15 Foul or not on UConn's Aaliyah Edwards 23:12 Alabama needed to create more threes 25:18 In comparison: UConn and the great Duke teams 26:56 In comparison: UConn and the great Florida teams 27:57 In comparison: UConn and Villanova's 2018 team 32:44 Alabama's Mark Sears was a warrior 34:55 Who will win the men's championship game? 37:34 Who will win the women's championship game? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of the College Gameday Podcast, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst & Insider Matt Miller joins Rece Davis and Pete Thamel to discuss quarterback draft prospects Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy. Matt shares which team is the best fit for Drake Maye and why JJ McCarthy may not be drafted in the first round. Then, the guys dive into why NC State’s basketball star, DJ Burns, would make a great offensive tackle. Finally, Matt shares which player will be the biggest surprise in the 2024 NFL Draft! 0:00 Welcome To the College Gameday Podcast 01:09 Don't Sleep on UNC QB Drake Maye 03:43 Which Team Does QB Drake Maye Best Fit With? 07:35 Could JJ McCarthy Not Be Drafted In The 1st Round 11:03 Are There Concerns for JJ McCarthy’s Shoulder Issues? 14:45 Huge Turnout For QBs at Michigan Pro Day 20:07 How To Avoid Group Think in NFL Scouting 23:08 Learned Lessons in NFL Scouting 26:45 Players Matt Would Jump On The Table For 28:33 Chargers Will Pick Michigan's Mike Sainristil 31:10 Predicting The Biggest Surprise In The Draft 33:57 Pete’s Prediction of 6 QBS Drafted In First Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss UConn being in the greatest-team-ever conversation and how Dan Hurley would fit into the NBA. Then, Pete gives a preview of his latest story - Donovan Clingan's side job as a landscaper. On another note, Rece and Pete turn their attention to NC State and chat about the hope that program has spurred for themselves from the tournament. 0:00 Rece: Is there such thing as a repeat champion? 2:10 Is UConn in the greatest-team-ever convo? 6:21 The NC State program now has hope 8:41 NC State and Alabama's path to the championship 11:49 How to stop NC State's DJ Burns 13:01 Could DJ Burns play for the NBA or NFL? 18:30 UConn's Donovan Clingan's side job as a landscaper 20:36 Dan Hurley's coaching track record 26:21 Could UConn's Dan Hurley be an NBA coach? 31:10 A Dan Hurley family story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Thamel and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello discuss the teams that have just landed in the Final Four spots in the Men’s NCAA tournament – specifically how a missed free throw by Virginia in the ACC tournament impacted NC State’s trajectory to the Final Four. They also talk about UConn’s evisceration of Illinois, the No. 2 offense in the country. And although Duke lost to NC State, Borzello notes that the Blue Devils’ future is bright as they are looking forward to Cooper Flagg, the number one college recruit in the country who has committed to their program for the following season. Finally, the two round out the pod with a preview of the Final Four games and who they think will be the NCAA tournament champion. 0:00 The Final Four teams are set 1:05 A missed free throw in the ACC tournament affected NC State’s trajectory to now 8:49 Illinois should’ve adjusted to UConn’s Donovan Clingan 12:01 The difficulty for UConn to win a back-to-back title 24:22 How Zach Edey fits into Purdue’s game 29:38 Tennessee’s dependence on Dalton Knecht 31:53 Breaking down NC State DJ Burns’ game 37:22 The future of Duke with No. 1 college recruit Cooper Flagg 42:17 Final Four preview: Alabama vs UConn 45:20 Final Four preview: Purdue vs NC State 48:20 The best basketball players in the portal right now 51:25 Who will be the men’s NCAA tournament champion? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Thamel and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello discuss Kentucky head coach John Calipari's uncertain future with the Wildcats. They delve into his need to change his staff, his need to shift his focus to developing older rosters, and the pros and cons that come with working with him. From the school's perspective they get into the $33M+ the Wildcats would have to spend to buy Calipari out, and the lack of coaching options out there for his replacement. Next, Borzello highlights which programs are still in need of a coach and which programs that would support a coach if a coach were to land there. Lastly, Thamel and Borzello recap their favorite games and players of the NCAA Tournament so far and preview the upcoming games they are looking to watch in the Sweet 16 round. 0:00 Will Kentucky fire Calipari this week? 7:45 SMU can afford Calipari's $33M buyout 13:22 Adjustments Calipari should make 26:48 Louisville caught flat footed in head coach search 30:38 Are all top coaches headed to SEC and Big Ten? 36:55 Schools in need of a coach 50:00 Jeff's favorite NCAA Tournament moments so far 55:53 Sweet 16 game previews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel dive into Clemson's lawsuit against the ACC - specifically how this affects Clemson's, Florida State's, and North Carolina's future with the league, and whether or not ACC will even remain a league. They also get into how this affects less profitable football programs like Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Indiana, and take time to really underscore how important it is for programs like those to become more competitive in order to not get left behind. Then they shift their attention to the College Football Playoff - ESPN six-year $7.8 billion contract and question how it's fathomable that players aren't getting a cut of the pie. Lastly, Pete shares the news that Washington's Troy Dannen replaces Trev Alberts as Nebraska AD, and that Iowa's OT Kadyn Proctor is reentering the portal and rejoining Alabama. 0:00 Welcome To The College GameDay Podcast 01:02 Clemson Files Lawsuit Against ACC 03:45 Clemson’s Lawsuit Shifts Eyes To North Carolina 06:35 Salvaging the ACC Without Clemson and FSU 12:40 Clemson Files Lawsuit Against ACC 16:22 The Value That Is Unique To College Sports 27:30 CFP and ESPN Deal 31:30 Troy Dannen In As AD Nebraska 39:11 Kadyn Proctor Enters Transfer Portal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel preview the men's NCAA tournament bracket. They discuss their takeaways for each region, possible upsets, and then make their final four and conference champion picks. More specifically, they discuss UConn as the number one seed and who could possibly take them on, the pros and cons of Arizona, their doubts for Houston making it very far, what to keep in mind when watching NC State, what Kentucky brings to the table, Purdue's and Tennessee's baggage, and so much more! 03:30 - East preview: UConn's pathway 13:00 - East preview: Possible upsets 16:45 - East preview: The effect of Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr. 22:30 - West preview: North Carolina's defense against other teams 25:00 West preview: Possible upsets 28:25 - West preview: The problem with Clemson 37:00 - West preview: The intrigue of Arizona 44:20 - South preview: The potholes in Houston's pathway 46:00 - South preview: How quickly will NC State fall? 58:34 - South preview: Kentucky's Reed Sheppard 01:05:51 - Midwest Preview: Purdue's & Tennessee's baggage 01:11:00 - Midwest preview: Possible upsets 01:22:00 - Full bracket preview: Final picks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel share their shock for the news that Nebraska's AD and alum Trev Alberts is expected to agree to a five-year deal with Texas A&M, then expand on Alberts' lengthy history with the Cornhuskers and why they think money may not be the primary deciding factor in this potential move. Then they sit down with Syracuse head coach Fran Brown to discuss the text that got him his job, the obstacle he faces while on the job, and how he plans to dominate recruiting in New York, New Jersey, and beyond. 0:00 Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast 0:20 Texas A&M Hires Trev Alberts as New AD 09:54 Pete Reacts To Syracuse Fran Brown Hire 11:24 How Fran Brown Got The Syracuse HC Job 25:00 How Brown’s NJ Roots Influence Syracuse’s Program 34:00 Brown Addresses Recruiting Against Big Ten & SEC Teams 49:00 It’s Important To Be There For Players And Staff 56:05 What Determines Success For Syracuse Football 57:23 Syracuse’s Dino BBQ Or Clemson’s Smoking Pig? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith to discuss his swift transition into the role, him having to take on the transfer portal chaos, and how he sees the in-state rivalry with Michigan. Smith also gets into his QB days at Oregon with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, and what it's like to rub arms with MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo. Lastly, Rece reflects on an old MSU game where comedian Ken Jeong went viral after shouting out his wife, "Tran, you complete me Ho. That's her last name. That's her last name. Relax, ESPN." 0:00 - Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast 00:18 - Why Are We Moving Off The 12-Team Playoff? 12:08 - Unique League Matchups 22:54 - Coach Smith On His Arrival at MSU 31:51 - Coach Smith: Tom Izzo Is Awesome To Lean On 35:22 - MSU Coach Smith Gives a Snapshot of Aidan Chiles 51:28 - Jonathan Smith: Ochocinco Caught My Best Throw 52:52 - Rece: The MSU Fight Song is Underrated 01:01:45 - Rece's Memory of Ken Jeong at Michigan St 01:06:06 - Can Pete sing the Syracuse fight song? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and ESPN.com Senior Writer Ryan McGee discuss former USC quarterback Caleb Williams' excitement ahead of the NFL Draft and how he's not pushing an agenda by saying he'd be "excited" if the Chicago Bears take him at No. 1. They also make some player leader picks ahead of the NFL Combine. Lastly, Rece and Ryan chat about how they haven't even adjusted to a 12-team playoff before discussions picked up about a 14-team playoff, and how, for field storming, we should just be like Clemson and walk off the field. 0:00 - Welcome To The College GameDay Podcast 0:15 - Indianapolis Wind Cut My Spleen 01:23 - NFL Draft Underwear Olympics 02:43 - Caleb Williams Leverage with NFL Teams 10:30 - Caleb Williams No Agenda 14:15 - Run the Fastest 40 At The Combine 20:49 - St. Elmo’s Cocktail Sauce 23:00 - 14 Team Playoff 28:24 - Court Storming 37:30 - Craziest Field Storming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Boston College head coach Bill O'Brien to discuss how he's constructing his program - from targeting o-line players, to developmental coaches, to incorporating NIL. Then he gets into his previous experience and how programs like Penn State, the Houston Texans, and New England Patriots shaped him as a coach. Then, Rece and Pete get into why former Missouri Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois would leave for the University of Arizona, the Pac-12's move which shows why they don't want to go away, and what Pete thinks everyone should keep an eye on in college football right now. 0:00 - Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast 02:12 - First Impressions of New Boston College HC Bill O’Brien 03:46 - Boston College HC Bill O’Brien Sits With Pete Thamel 07:04 - HC O’Brien: We Need To Target The Right Guys To Build The Team 13:52 - HC O’Brien: Boston College Has To Be Part of NIL Landscape 21:35 - O’Brien Kept Penn State Football From Disintegrating 24:49 - Boston College Faces A Challenging Schedule 30:38 - Why Would Francois Leave Miz For Arizona 36:42 - Pac-12 Hints They Don’t Intend To Go Away 40:05 - Gameday Is Headed To UCONN This Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule to discuss how his NFL experience - paired with his time at Temple and Baylor - will help him revive Cornhuskers football, why Rhule rooted for defensive coordinator Tony White to get the UCLA head coach job, and what in the world a Runza is. Then, Rece and Pete get into what it's been like working with former Alabama head coach Nick Saban since he joined ESPN, how Pat McAfee has been able to bring Saban's personality out front and center, and how sure they are that Alabama fans are totally patient, pragmatic, and calm following Saban's retirement and not at all worried that Ryan Grubb is going to the Seahawks. 0:00 - Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast 01:24 - Ohio St, UCLA, Boston College Coaching Moves 04:05 - HC Matt Rhule On The Difference Between Year 1 & 2 06:05 - HC Matt Rhule Brings NFL Experience To Nebraska 09:00 - Rhule On The Attraction Of Being A College Coach 13:12 - HC Matt Rhule On Rebuilding Nebraska Football 19:23 - HC Matt Rhule On QB Dylan Railoa Coming To Nebraska 23:04 - HC Matt Rhule: I Just Want To See Our Players Rip It 25:55 - HC Matt Rhule DC Tony White Is The Coolest In The Room 28:02 - Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts’ Farm Stories 30:08 - HC Matt Rhule: Jahmal Banks Has Raised The Bar 32:05 - HC Rhule: Security Didn’t Want Me Storming The Court 33:23 - Nebraska HC Matt Rhule’s Favorite Local Lincoln Spots 37:38 - Former Bama HC Nick Saban Joining ESPN Was No Surprise 43:36 - Nick Saban Is Already 100 MPH On NFL Draft Draft Prep 44:50 - Bringing Out Nick Saban’s Personality On Gameday 47:26 - Peculiar For UCLA Chip Kelly To Go To Ohio State 51:25 - Alabama Shouldn’t Worry About Grubb Going To Seahawks 59:11 - The Apple Vision Pro Is The Bane Of Our Existence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Washington head coach Jedd Fisch to discuss the two iconic head coaching sires - Stephen Belichick and Brennan Carroll - on his staff, what he's seen of Washington quarterback Will Rogers, and how the NCAA tampering rules affected his departure from Arizona. He also shares a story about his relentless pursuit to get into the OJ trial. Then, Rece and Pete get into the details of the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff structure, Dartmouth players possibly unionizing, and whether or not Rece is jinxing the North Carolina Tar Heels! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss Tennessee being investigated by the NCAA for NIL violations, and the subsequent attorneys general of Tennessee and Virginia antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA. They also get into the future of Michigan under Sherrone Moore and then bring in ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller to go over what we can expect from the NFL draft.Tune in next week for when new University of Washington Head Coach Jedd Fisch joins the pod!0:00 - NCAA Investigating Tennessee For NIL Violations 11:35 - Update: NCAA Is Sued Post-Tennessee Investigation 14:30 - Michigan Hires Sherrone Moore As Head Coach To Replace Harbaugh 23:26 - NFL Draft Prediction: QBs Will Dominate The Top 32:20 - Are We In An Era of Extreme Offense? 36:44 - Will There Be a 1st Round RB In The NFL Draft This Year? 43:00 - The Big 12 Football Schedule For 2024 Is Here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel talk about Ohio State’s boatload of portal additions - including Alabama quarterback Julian Sayin and Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs - and how this affects new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s program in the upcoming season. Rece and Pete also get into how Ohio State head coach Ryan Day built and supplemented his team. Then, they make some way-too-early pre-season game picks and get into a discussion on how fairly coaches are being judged. 00:05 Ohio State's Shift In Roster Makeup 09:38 What If We See Ohio St vs Michigan In The Playoffs? 15:20 Way Too Early Team Picks For Pre-Season 19:42 Does The Playoff Affect How We Judge Coaches? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Thamel and ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter convene for an emergency podcast to talk about the news of Jim Harbaugh leaving the national champion Michigan Wolverines to coach the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. They get into what kept Harbaugh from getting on the plane to Atlanta, what this means for the Michigan program, and the possibility of Michigan offensive coordinator/offensive line coach, Sherrone Moore, stepping into the head coach role. 1:33 What kept Harbaugh from going to Atlanta? 2:10 What’s next for Michigan? 2:34 Who will be Michigan’s next head coach? 5:36 Adam Schefter’s Harbaugh memories 7:44 Expectations for Sherrone Moore 11:20 How well does Harbaugh pair with Charges Quarterback Justin Herbert? 12:55 Where is Michigan Quarterback, JJ McCarthy’s, range in the draft? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel reflect on new coach hirings, retirements and changes that have shaken the college football world. They discuss latest news of Freshman Caleb Downs possibly entering the transfer portal, the surprise retirement announcement of Nick Saban and his reasons why plus where Jim Harbaugh will land next. We get a behind the scenes look into Rece’s thoughts on his exclusive interviews with these coaches. Hopefully Jim Harbaugh won’t announce where he’s coaching next while Pete is on vacation. Rece's Exclusive Interview with Jim Harbaugh After Winning the National Championship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yljRESjsZjo&ab_channel=ESPN Rece's Exclusive Interview with Nick Saban After Announcing His Retirement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-NTaEbfAtg&ab_channel=ESPN 00:20 - Caleb Downs Headed To Portal 02:04 - Alabama Ripple Effects After Saban’s Retirement 04:48 - Nick Saban BTS Interview Moments 18:01 - Asking Jim Harbaugh About His Future Plans 21:16 - The Question Rece Wishes He Asked Jim Harbaugh 22:31 - Jim Harbaugh BTS Interview Moments 25:12 - Jim Is The Best Team Builder 27:29 - If Harbaugh Leaves Michigan, Who Takes Over? 29:26 - Nick Saban BTS Interview Moments 32:28 - Rece’s Early Reporter Days Covering Nick Saban 36:35 - Saban and Harbaugh’s Relationship With The Media 39:33 - Alabama and Michigan Players Headed To The Portal 42:26 - Teams Moving Quickly On Portal Players 44:13 - Washington Hires Arizona’s Jedi Fish As HC 47:09 - Arizona Hires San Jose St’s Brent Brennan As HC 51:22 - Harbaugh To Leave Michigan During Pete’s Vacation 52:36 - College Gameday Pod Off-Season Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices