THE HERD - Hour 2 - Coaching in college before NIL, looking at the NFL Draft

In this episode of The Herd, Colin Cowherd and guest Daniel Jeremiah dive deep into the evolving landscape of college football recruiting and the upcoming NFL Draft, with a focus on how NIL has transformed the dynamics between coaches and players. Cowherd reflects on the pre-NIL era, criticizing the transactional, groveling nature of college recruiting, where coaches spent excessive time and energy courting 16- and 17-year-olds. He contrasts this with the NFL’s more professional, transactional model. The discussion shifts to draft prospects, with Jeremiah highlighting David Bailey as a plug-and-play edge rusher and debating the Jets’ potential pick between Bailey and Arvel Reese. They analyze Fernando Mendoza’s pro day, praising his size, strength, and leadership, while dismissing concerns about his athleticism. Ty Simpson is discussed as a high-upside but risky prospect due to limited starts and average size. The episode also touches on the NBA, with Cowherd and Rachel Nichols evaluating the Warriors’ pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo versus Kawhi Leonard, ultimately favoring Giannis for his fit with Steph Curry. Later, the conversation turns to college coaching, with Cowherd praising Tommy Lloyd’s decision to stay at Arizona, emphasizing that great jobs are defined by management and culture, not just money. He argues that staying put in a strong program like Arizona is smarter than chasing bigger paychecks elsewhere. Key takeaways include: 1) NIL has made college recruiting more efficient and less transactional, shifting power to players; 2) Physical traits like size and strength matter more than speed in evaluating quarterbacks like Fernando Mendoza; 3) Teams should prioritize character and leadership over flashy stats when drafting; 4) The NFL Draft is less about reach and more about fit, with players like Bailey offering immediate value; 5) College coaches should prioritize strong athletic departments and culture over salary when choosing jobs. The overall sentiment is positive and forward-looking, with a strong emphasis on strategic decision-making in both player evaluation and career moves.