ESPN College GameDay

Rece Davis and ESPN National Recruiting Director Tom Luginbill dive into the ongoing saga of Nico Iamaleava — from his NIL-first approach in high school to the unraveling of his relationship with Tennessee. They explore the big question: where does Nico go next — North Carolina? UCLA? Later, ESPN senior writer Heather Dinich joins to discuss who should be held accountable for creating a sustainable framework for player compensation. Wrapping up the episode, ESPN College Football Reporter Dave Wilson checks in from Texas to reflect on the legacy of RC Slocum at Texas A&M — a coach who, despite being fired, continues to stand by the Aggies. 0:00 - Former Cal RB Jaydn Ott transfers to Oklahoma3:16 - Unraveling the Nico Iamaleava saga5:14 - No surprise now, Nico prioritized NIL during high school recruitment7:23 - Is Nico a fit for Belichick at North Carolina?10:37 - UCLA to take a swing and get Nico?17:28 - Is Nico grown enough to call the shots?23:30 - Heather Dinich's sleeper picks - Florida & Illinois!25:15 - The coach who shaped Texas A&M: RC Slocum28:52 - RC Slocum was fired but still roots for the Aggies34:11 - Why can't the Aggies win consistently?38:21 - How far will Mike Elko take Texas A&M this year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Bill Connelly, creator of the SP+ ranking, discuss the rise of Arch Manning as he takes the reins at Texas. Will the fan love last—or is he destined for backlash, like other rising stars? The crew also breaks down this season’s elite quarterback contenders, asking: who’s in line for the QB1 crown—Penn State’s Drew Allar or LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier? Meanwhile, Ohio State and Purdue are in flux, with sweeping roster and staff overhauls underway. With the transfer portal about to swing open, both programs are ready to steady their ships this offseason. 0:00 - Texas QB Arch Manning to be the next college football villain?11:52 - Early preseason No. 1 team pick: Clemson17:41 - Penn State QB Drew Allar on track for No. 1 spot in 2026 NFL Draft?20:52 - Ohio State's major roster and staff changes31:02 - New coach Barry Odom begins Purdue rebuild38:08 - Spring buzz on Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons39:58 - Spring buzz on Oklahoma coach Brent Venables40:49 - Spring buzz on Alabama's unknown starting quarterback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, discuss the final possession of the NCAA title game - How Florida, chaotic and unpolished throughout the tournament, leaned on depth, resilience, and opportunity to survive Houston’s relentless pressure. 0:00 - How the NCAA title game unfolded3:55 - Todd Golden vs Kelvin Sampson6:19 - Is Florida a new blue blood hoops school?7:16 - Florida navigates season under Title IX probe9:00 - All that stood between Houston and the title11:19 - A closer look at the last four possessions13:26 - Raw postgame images from each locker room19:35 - This Final Four is what the tourney deserved21:08 - Todd Golden is a rising star, has an analytics edge24:57 - Walter Clayton Jr: Final Four Most Outstanding Player27:29 - College hoops over NBA - A growing trend? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel break down a defining week for Stanford football. The program hired Frank Reich, signaling a clear embrace of an NFL-style identity—but that move raises big questions, especially around recruiting and whether Andrew Luck, now Stanford’s general manager, can convince Reich to stay beyond one season. If he can’t, then who steps in next? Out in Colorado, Deion Sanders grabs headlines with a $54 million extension. The next big question: Can he keep the Buffaloes competitive in the Big 12?1:58 - Stanford hires Frank Reich, embraces NFL identity6:03 - Stanford's recruiting challenge8:25 - Reich's historic comeback game with Maryland Terrapins10:23 - How many schools will adopt the GM model?13:53 - Stanford's split with Troy Taylor was unavoidable16:10 - Stanford's next coach: Who is a good fit?23:16 - Deion Sanders lands $54 million extension30:51 - The art and chaos of picking a perfect bracket35:43 - The dread and pain of a game-turning rewrite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Ravech, host of Countdown to GameDay on the ESPN YouTube channel, and Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, discuss the powerhouse teams hungry to take on Duke—or at least eager to see the Blue Devils fall—as the NCAA Tournament title game approaches. Off the court, more drama unfolds as the transfer portal swells with players, raising the question: should the portal window be pushed until after the tournament ends? Meanwhile, one coach in particular has drawn the ire of Maryland fans: Kevin Willard, who made a high-profile exit for Villanova. How did it all unfold—and what did it cost the Wildcats? 0:00 - The clear cut top 4 teams chasing the NCAA Tourney crown6:33 - Wave of players hit the transfer portal8:43 - Why not move the portal past the NCAA Tourney title game?12:21 - The current transfer portal window forces rushed decisions19:11 - Duke's biggest threat is Houston24:00 - SEC to end their 12-year title drought?28:30 - How Coach Kelvin Sampson completely transformed Houston34:44 - Michigan State's costly mistake against Auburn38:55 - How Coach Kevin Willard's exit from Maryland unfolded43:18 - What it cost Villanova to land Kevin Willard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and ESPN Radio's Ian Fitzsimmons discuss, is a Colorado vs Syracuse spring game a genius move or not? They think it's worthwhile. They're also keenly aware of the conversations surrounding players being poached for the spring transfer portal. To this, Rece says maybe it's time for programs to put their players under contract. This leads to a discussion on the transfer portal, and if it's needed at all and if players should have the same freedom to move as coaches do. Is it even possible to keep an entire roster and coach on the same team for a whole season? 0:00 - Is it okay for sideline reporters to wear sneakers?4:03 - Keep the best teams in the postseason15:41 - Colorado vs Syracuse spring game - hit or miss?23:13 - Is it time to institute player contracts?26:50 - Fair for players to face transfer portal limits while coaches don't?29:31 - Possible to get players and coaches to stick with programs a full season?39:04 - The must-watch team to watch this spring - who ya got?42:24 - The best sushi - try Tuscaloosa, Alabama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, discuss how the NCAA Tournament is transforming—and if this is really for the better. The SEC's 14 teams in thefield edged out mid-major teams which led to chalk in the first and second round. Is this what kills the domino of upsets and Cinderella runs everyone is so used to? Also, what happens to the Big East? Will their teams secure spots among the power conferences? As of right, BYU is turning heads and grabbing headlines. Do they have a chance to win a tourney title and why do they have lofty expectations for the next few years to come? 0:00 - Why chalk is okay in the first and second rounds5:10 - Did the SEC deserve 14 teams in the tournament?14:45 - Is there room for the Big East alongside the SEC and Big Ten?21:03 - Why BYU will top headlines in the coming years25:08 - How BYU signed future NBA star AJ Dybantsa28:48 - The Rick Pitino - John Calipari rivalry33:58 - Why did Rick Pitino bench RJ Luis?39:32 - The two Sweet 16 matchups to watch40:59 - Maryland head coach Kevin Willard to Villanova?49:30 - The ACC's most interesting head coach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel, Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, & Bill Connelly, ESPN writer,discuss the traps in the Midwest Region! Houston may be a top seed, but a showdown with Gonzaga looms large. Also in the region are McNeese and High Point, who are eyeing Cinderella runs that could shake up the bracket. Kentucky, the No. 3 seed, has stumbled into March looking anything but steady, and Tennessee’s coach is looking to rewrite history for himself. The guys end their tournament bracket preview by unveiling who they think will fill theFinal Four spots. 0:00 - Houston's brutal second round matchup against Gonzaga3:52 - McNeese & High Point could be potential upset picks5:48 - Kentucky, the No. 3 seed, looked disheveled the past couple of weeks10:15 - UCLA vs. Utah St: Two big brands meet in the first round12:07 - Tennessee's coach has a tortured NCAA Tournament history14:19 - Jeff Borzello's Final Four picks16:05 - Bill Connelly's Final Four picks17:05 - Pete Thamel's Final Four picks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel, Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, & Bill Connelly, ESPN writer, discuss the battlefield that is the West Region. UConn’s Dan Hurley is eyeing a massive upset over No. 1 seed Florida, while Oklahoma’s NBA-bound star is ready to step into the spotlight. Colorado State sees a clear path forward, but may stumble to Texas Tech or St. John's. With so many top contenders colliding, which team will make emerge and advance to the Final Four? 0:00 - What makes the West Region a gauntlet?5:06 - UConn's Dan Hurley to upset Florida, the No. 1 seed?13:16 - Oklahoma's coveted NBA prospect14:46 - Colorado State's favorable pathway16:37 - Drake's strategy is to run down the shot clock, will it work?20:08 - Maryland ready to go on a run, can they get to the Elite Eight?23:37 - Texas & St. John's are heavyweights in the West Region25:37 - Why Kansas vs. Arkansas is a spicy matchup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel, Jeff Borzello, ESPN college basketball insider, & Bill Connelly, ESPN writer,discuss the East Region - the NCAA Tournament's biggest offensive powerhouse. BYU is ready to light up anyone in their path, but VCU lurks as a defensive force capable of shutting down the best. The guys also dive into Arizona’s star player that might be able to carry the team and if Duke can survive without Cooper Flagg.  0:00 - East region: The tourney's offensive powerhouse2:02 - BYU: The elite scoring team3:08 - VCU plays some of the best defense in the region3:55 - Alabama isn't as tough as you think5:00 - Why Oregon lost their way this season6:30 - How college ball is evolving11:30 - Baylor has been bit by the injury bug14:22 - Arizona has the most enigmatic player in the country 17:02 - Can Akron's coach lead his team to upset Arizona?22:26 - How long can Duke go without Cooper Flagg?23:57 -  Why Montana doesn't stand a chance25:37 - Saint Mary's is an anomaly this season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices