Bussin' With The Boys – Drew Brees On Journey From Purdue To Saints + Zack Baun On Eagles Super Bowl & Skattebo | Episode 351

Date: October 21, 2025
Hosts: Will Compton, Taylor Lewan
Guests: Drew Brees (NFL legend), Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles LB)
Theme: The resilience and defining moments across football journeys – from Drew Brees’ legendary career pivot points and life lessons to Zack Baun’s transition and the Eagles’ run. Plus, the eternal love of the locker room, family weekends, and some hilarious inside-the-NFL banter.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers two major interviews: Saints icon Drew Brees on his improbable rise from under-recruited Texas high schooler to NFL superstar, with deep insights into overcoming adversity; and Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, reflecting on his "prove-it" contract, NFC success, life in Philly, and the secret sauce behind the Eagles' locker room. In between, the boys share authentic, behind-the-scenes football banter, family stories, and joyfully roast themselves and each other on everything from airplane parenting fails to all-time favorite snacks.

Key Segments, Highlights & Notable Quotes

1. Weekend Recaps & Locker Room Vibes (03:00–18:00)

The Boys’ Weekends

• Will and Taylor recount action-packed weekends with family at college games (Vanderbilt, Michigan) and on the road. Will’s daughter conquers the Michigan cheerleader outfit saga; Taylor navigates toddler terror at mascots and legendary puke on the plane stories.

  • “She ain't about the mascot situation... The tiger tried coming up, but my daughter ain't about it. Just stoneface.” – Will (07:44)

• Parenting Real-World:

  • “This is great parenting, am I right? They’re like, any way to get it done.” – Taylor on handing the phone to his daughter during the game (14:23)

• Sweet concert stories (Dermot Kennedy at the Ryman), navigating fall weddings mid-NFL season, and what it takes to “brainwash” kids into college football fandom.

Classic Locker Room Vibes

• Squat battle stories, from Nebraska weight room legends to Taysom Hill’s 600-lb squat.
  • "Everybody was talking about how Taysom Hill could squat over 600 pounds… that is insane for him, all the positions he plays." – Will (03:46)

2. Shoutouts, Pet Peeves, Comedy Runs (21:44–31:00)

• Shoutout to “Pilot Bob," the veteran Vietnam and Afghanistan pilot who keeps the boys feeling safe flying private, to legendary snacks (Gushers on a private plane), to real-life marriage/family scheduling gymnastics.

  • “He's one of those calm, stoic, older gentlemen that make you feel safe. ...Thirty thousand hours in the air.” – Taylor (22:21)
  • "Shoutout Gushers, man. Got my hands on some red Gushers... Gave Rue a pack, that's probably why she ended up throwing up." – Will (23:45)

• Pet Peeve of the Week: Kids kicking chairs on airplanes (52:22)

  • “It’s not the kid’s fault… but the mom’s just on her phone… honey, we gotta teach these kids things.” – Taylor
  • Hilarious run-in with a nonchalant dad: "He goes, I'm not sorry," and the boys crack up over the cultural/language barrier and the art of airplane diplomacy.

3. Tear Talk & Listener Questions (31:30–39:17, scattered)

• Michigan vs. Nebraska (who’d win a civil war? Population vs. grit. “Easy dub, Michigan… arms race, cities are outnumbering.” – Taylor (31:58))
• Nostalgia for sick days, skipping school, GameBoy/TV rules, and the art of trying to fool your parents with sly tricks (including the famous "penny under the tongue" and fake sneezing for a day off).
  • “I had to put myself in a situation where somebody else was my alibi... I housed a bunch of applesauce and pretended to throw up in the shower so my brother could vouch for me.” – Will (39:29)
• Lessons in attendance heroics and the (sometimes brutal) discipline from their upbringings.

4. Chad Powers Segment – Pop Culture Play (40:25–45:04)

• Hulu’s “Chad Powers,” based on Eli Manning’s disguised walk-on QB routine, beat Tennessee, major identity crisis vibes, and relatable “comeback story” humor that the crew obsesses over.
  • “He’s having this identity crisis, turmoil, bipolar type, multi-personality thing…” – Taylor (43:26)
  • Listeners: The boys give spoiler-free props to the writing and comedic payoff of the show.

5. Fresh Set of Downs: Cade McConnell Feature (45:15–50:57)

• Fresh set of downs highlight on Vanderbilt’s Cade McConnell: from Minnesota transfer and summer intern at BWTB to one of the best guards in the country (Valedictorian, viral body bag blocks vs. LSU).
  • “[That play] is heady football… valedictorian football type s**t right here. That gets me juiced up because he’s violent… football porn.” – Taylor (46:19)
• Praise for his selfless work ethic (“no job too small, acts like he’s doing janitorial stuff then he’s out here pancaking SEC D-linemen”).

Main Guest: Drew Brees (Starts 56:34)

Journey from Texas to Purdue to NFL

Early Adversity & Not Being "The Prototype" (57:34–66:13)

• Brees details his Texas sports background (baseball, basketball, then football) and considers quitting football entirely:
  • “I was starting B-team quarterback on the freshman team… my mom, I think I’m gonna quit football.” (58:50)
  • Mom’s wisdom: “You never know when your opportunity will come. Stick it out.” (59:30)
• Breakout after starter injures ACL; Brees faces same injury next year, missing critical recruitment period, labeled as not having “the measurables.”
  • “6 foot, 170 pounds… not the guy the recruiting coordinator’s going to go, ‘Hey, I got a gem for us.’” (62:10)

College Defining Moments (66:13–74:52)

• Purdue scholarship over Kentucky, inspired by Big Ten and academic profile.
• Early struggles with confidence, pivotal loss to Notre Dame (two interceptions), and dramatic bounce-back game.
  • “I'm riding the bus back to Purdue, staring at the cornfields... you have a choice: go in the tank or bow up, stiff upper lip, and show these guys what you're made of.” (71:19)
  • Followed up by a record-shattering performance vs. Minnesota (“31/36, 522 yards, 6 TDs…” (72:04))

NFL Shoulder Injury and Legendary Resilience (74:52–87:44)

• Drafted by Chargers, benched three times, then finally finds his groove. Dislocates shoulder in the last game of contract year.
• “I literally thought to myself, this is the last time I'm ever gonna put on a Chargers uniform. This may be the last time I ever play football again.” (76:52)
  • Dr. Andrews’ assessment: "You have so much swelling… let me get in there and figure it out. ...minimum 8 months. ...you have to learn how to throw again."
• Insurance Policy on career: “I could just take the $5 mil and walk… I was like, rip that thing up, man. I feel like God's got me. Even though this isn't the path I would've chosen, this is the one I'm on.” (79:46)
• Honest detail on rehab: “It was probably a result of having to literally rebuild the foundation for throwing again. …I came back so much stronger.” (81:17–82:59)

Saints Years, Legacy, and Coaching Youth

• Brees credits Tom Condon (agent), wife, and unwavering support (“I’d always regret if I didn’t make a run at it…”).
• Miami Dolphins and Saints were only two teams offering to let him compete for a starting job: “Only two that were coming after me as the starter.” (91:49)
• Process of experience building: “Any young player needs at least 40 to 50 high-level starts before you know what you have. …Rookies having early success, it’s the system and experience.” (93:18)

Coaching Philosophy, Football IQ, and Praise for Sproles (88:52–108:16)

• On coaching his kids: “It’s hard for a parent to coach your kids… but I try to be intense with my praise as I am with correction.” (89:18)
• On Bo Nix, Sean Payton, and QB evaluation: Emphasis on variety in play-calling and need for under-center experience even in today’s shotgun world. (98:11)
• On Sproles: “Darren Sproles was a generational player… would you want to cover Sproles out of the backfield? Good luck in open-field tackling him.” (106:34)
  • “That running back out of the backfield can ruin your day as a defense and as a DC.” (106:58)

Personal Wear and Tear, Life After Football

• “Now that I don't throw with my right arm anymore...I actually throw left-handed with my kids.” (104:07)
• “Still love to train… I want to do everything for as long as possible. ...prolong my prime.” (104:35)

Bud Light “Who You’d Share a Beer With” (112:53)

• “I’m gonna say Roger Staubach...one of my all-time favorites.” (113:10)

Second Guest: Zack Baun (1:27:25)

Eagles, Adjustments, and Mindset

• Moves from special teams demon in New Orleans to All-Pro inside LB in Philly.
  • “Had two paths: could've stayed special teams, but I knew I could play… didn’t know what position until I was at the front door, shaking the LB coach’s hand.” (133:11)
• On team mindset:
  • “[Media] noise is a lot louder than the noise in the locker room. ...We’re winning games. Overall, we’re doing a pretty good job.” (129:30)
• On getting run over by Cam Skattebo:
  • “You watch on film, and you're like, damn, he runs hard, but you don't really know until you feel it yourself. ...That was a run across the field and get my ass smacked type play right there.” (128:22)
• On “tush push” and defensive response to media scrutiny, Giants rematch, and locker room culture.

Football Life, Athletic Background, and Personality

• High school 200m record (21.5 sec at 220 lbs).
  • “They never throw me in that conversation [of fastest], but I always need to get my respect. Like, I'm fast too, bro.” (134:14)
• Quarterback in high school: “I was really just a small town athlete, get it in his hands, I would drop back knowing I'm about to take off and run.” (134:28)
• Reflects on Wisconsin struggles: “We need to win some games... you think of Wisconsin, you think big linemen, run game. That’s not what I’m seeing now.” (135:58)

Eagles, Locker Room, and Fangio

• Praises Reed Blankenship (communication) and Cooper DeJean (dog).
• Describes DC Vic Fangio as “players coach, but hard nosed… all accountability.” (142:47)
• Hilarious “Jalen Carter gap responsibility” story:
  • “I’m like, you gotta be in your gap, come on. And he’s like, ‘Don’t tell me how to play football, bro!’ I’m like, ‘You know what, JC, you're right...I should've been in your gap!’” (144:00)
• Big Dom, the Eagles’ legendary figure: “He’s got all the little insights…intertwined with the Eagles and the whole city. Might be Sopranos.” (145:47)

Bud Light “Who You’d Share a Beer With” (146:36)

• “Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator for the Broncos… I’d definitely have more than one Bud Light with him.” (147:00)

Other Notable Moments & Quotes

• Football IQ and the difference between college and pros (esp. how Sean Payton coaches Bo Nix, situational awareness, and breakdowns on last-second field goals, laying on players, etc.)
• Recurrent jokes about the "All-White Team" and what it means to be eligible.
• The camaraderie, humility, and gratitude from both guests—underscoring the positive culture each carried with them from college ball to Sundays.

Timestamps for Main Segments

• Weekend Recaps, Parenting, and Locker Room Stories: 03:00–18:00
• Shoutouts, Pet Peeves: 21:44–31:00
• Chad Powers (Pop culture segment): 40:25–45:04
• Cade McConnell “Fresh Set of Downs”: 45:15–50:57
• Drew Brees Interview: 56:34–1:17:00+
• Zack Baun Interview: 1:27:25+

Final Thoughts

This episode is vintage Bussin’—hilarious, brutally honest, and deeply real about football as both a career and a metaphor for life. Drew Brees offers a blueprint for growth through adversity, while Zack Baun is a model of seizing opportunity and leading with humility. Along the way, the boys expertly balance depth with wild stories, keeping things fun yet meaningful for fans and athletes alike.

If you want the playbook, the scars, and the heart of football—plus some Dad Life comedy—this is a must-listen episode of Bussin’ With the Boys.