Podcast Summary: See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Alabama CFP Encore? 2026 Outlook | Best Returning EDGE Rushers in CFB
Date: March 17, 2026
Host: David Pollack
Guest/Co-host: Brent

Overview

This episode of "See Ball Get Ball" dives into two central themes:

• Alabama’s Outlook Under Kalen DeBoer (including CFP prospects for 2026 and roster/coaching changes)
• Ranking the Best Returning EDGE Rushers in College Football (breakdowns, transfer impacts, and sleepers)

Additionally, the show features a fun March Madness coaching comparison, some NCAA Tournament bracket talk, and a lively “Who Won the Weekend?” wrap-up celebrating college baseball and trivia.

Alabama’s College Football Playoff Prospects in 2026

DeBoer’s Tenure — Measuring Success and Change

[01:30-06:10]

• Kalen DeBoer: Currently 20-8 at Alabama—Pollack notes it feels like he’s been there much longer due to the spotlight and high expectations.
  • "It feels like he's been there for a minute... ever since he's been there, he's been talked about." – David Pollack [01:57]
• Comparisons to Saban: Under Saban, Alabama rarely lost 2-3 games/year; DeBoer has matched Saban's “worst” recent years, but the sport has shifted.
  • "Indiana just won a national title. So to expect Kalen DeBoer to continue what Nick Saban was doing..." – David Pollack [02:36]
• Recent Playoff Appearances: Bama “limped in” last year after a SEC title game beatdown, but won a playoff game for the second straight season — Pollack calls this “improvement.”
  • "That's improvement... Not a lot of people can say they've won a playoff game the last two years." – David Pollack [05:46]

Key Roster & Staff Moves

[04:42-10:00]

• Quarterback Situation:
  • Ty Simpson is gone, expected to be a high NFL draft pick.
  • Austin Mack (transfer from Washington with DeBoer) and Keelan Russell (young, talented) will compete; Alabama uniquely did not use the portal for this spot unlike their playoff peers.
    • "Mac is a specimen... made Ty Simpson look like a toy soldier." – Brent [09:09]
• Offensive Line Overhaul: Recognizing O-line struggles, DeBoer brings in a new O-line coach and 6 transfers (from Ole Miss, Texas, others).
  • Only one main returning starter, Carroll.
  • Both Pollack and Brent see the ability to run the ball as the offense's key “swing” factor in 2026.
• Ryan Williams Saga: Former top receiver recruit had a down year, changed jersey and added “Coleman” to his name for a fresh start.
  • "He had to go from, from two to one and he's hopefully a different guy. Hopefully he has less drops." – David Pollack [05:38]
• Defensive Identity: Alabama’s strength is now in the secondary; trench play is less dominant than Saban-era. Defensive portal losses mean DeBoer’s talent evaluation is “all on him.”

“What’s More Likely?” — CFP Return or DeBoer Out?

[11:03-14:33]

• Brent sets two scenarios: Is it more likely Alabama returns to the playoff, or that DeBoer is fired after 2026?
  • "If he's not in the playoff, he's gone. I think that's factual." – David Pollack [11:27]
• Both are skeptical Bama returns. Georgia, Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana, Texas Tech are safer playoff bets.
• Alabama's expectations (CFP or bust) likely make DeBoer's seat very hot for 2026.

[Notable Segment]
Pollack's honesty about shifting standards:

"Just because the game changed doesn't mean Tuscaloosa is going to change. They’re used to winning championships... Expectations are not going to change." – David Pollack [15:32]

Best Returning EDGE Rushers in College Football

Data & Trends: The Transfer Portal and EDGE Factories

[16:22-20:35]

• Brent frames the talk around high-output duos of 2025:
  • Miami: Reuben Bane & Akheem Mesidor (150 pressures, 25 sacks)
  • Texas Tech: David Bailey & Steve Linton/Height (143 pressures, 24 sacks)
  • Georgia, by comparison, had fewer sacks as a whole team.
  • "If you're an edge guy, where do you go? You go to Miami or Texas Tech." – Brent [17:09]
• Both discuss the NIL/portal-driven model: schools are effectively “buying” elite QBs (Indiana) or EDGE rushers (Miami, Texas Tech).
  • "They have the ability to pay those guys... It's not gonna change." – David Pollack [18:13]

Top Names for 2026 — Rankings & Scouting

[18:55-23:32]

• Consensus Top 4 Returners:
  1. Dylan Stewart (Georgia): Eye-popping plays hindered by constant focus and no strong DT beside him. [19:22]
  2. Clever Lubin (Louisville): 11 sacks, 64 pressures in 2025.
  3. Colin Simmons (Texas): Double digit sacks, top pressure numbers.
  4. Mateo Uyungalay (Notre Dame): 52 pressures, 6 sacks — more of a “bull,” less twitch.
     • "He's a grown Irish man. Like, that's a man." – David Pollack [20:35]
• Others “you need to know”:
  • John Henry Daly (BYU): Transfer impact.
  • Chaz Coleman (Tennessee): Freaky speed and bend, a Penn State evaluation find.
    • Pollack: "Tennessee fans, you are going to love [him]... he needs a cheeseburger or four or five." [22:08]
  • Kenyatta Jackson (Ohio State)
  • Trey/ Bryce Young Combo (Notre Dame)
  • Yonce Pierre (Alabama)
  • Prince Will Uman Miellen (LSU via Nebraska)
  • Will Held (Clemson)
  • Taylor Wean (Oklahoma)
• Sleepers & System Fits:
  • Brandon Mack (Houston)
  • Quincy Rhodes (Arkansas): “Big sucker,” 8 sacks last year.
  • Cassius Ayanto Saka (A&M via Northwestern): On Bruce Feldman’s “freaks” list, super explosive. [25:32]
  • Trick and White (Texas Tech): Next paid duo after Bailey and Height.

The Importance of System

[27:01-29:24]

• Brent argues the “freedom of movement” in a good scheme matters for EDGE production:
  • "These elite guys, they need to have freedom of movement... maximize impact plays" – Brent [27:01]
• Pollack recounts his own pro experience, being told “don’t lose contain” vs. “just go get the QB.”
  • "Let’s play the pass and react to the run. How about we do that?" – David Pollack [28:00]

More Names & “System Guys”

[29:24-30:55]

• Marquis White (SMU): Bizarre journey (from Dartmouth to McNeese State to UMass to SMU), massive production.
• Marquis Lightfoot (Miami): 5-star, poised for breakout after learning behind Bane/Mesidor.

[Memorable Moment] Hands-Work Ethic

"I had to wait like an hour... because Mezador and Ruben Bain were still working their hands. You see what it looks like and you understand what it takes." – David Pollack [30:55]

Segment: Who is the “John Calipari of College Football?”

[31:14-37:13]

Inspired by a viral tweet from Pollack, the duo debate what active or historic CFB coaches most resemble basketball’s master recruiter/unconventional, outspoken Calipari.

• Most submitted answers: Lane Kiffin and Urban Meyer
  • "Those two guys came up four million times in the responses. And I get it." – David Pollack [33:00]
• Other comparisons:
  • Ryan Day (elite recruiter, but hasn’t hopped jobs)
  • Deion Sanders (if he wins more, personality fits)
  • Steve Spurrier (flashy, recruited stars, outspoken)
  • Lincoln Riley (QB talent developer, high-profile)
  • Lou Holtz (multi-stop winner, good recruiter, only one title)
  • Mike Leach (if recruiting success counted, for innovation)
• Criteria: Big personality, recruiter, sometimes controversial, gets elite talent, maybe not all the titles

March Madness Talk: Brackets, Coaches, and Players

[38:08-46:58]

• They veer into March Madness, sharing their Elite Eight and Final Four picks.
  • "I actually think this is going to be one of the best March Madness tournaments we've seen in a long time." – Brent [38:50]
• Teams discussed: Duke, Michigan State, Houston, Vandy, Arizona, Purdue, Iowa State, Michigan, more.
• Prospect talk: Cam Boozer (Duke) compared to his dad as an NBA type.

Who Won the Weekend?

[48:04-52:13]

• David’s pick: USA Baseball (beat Dominican Republic), and the US Paralympic hockey gold.
• Brent’s pick: UGA Baseball, specifically freshman Cole Johnson’s viral home-run rob against Tennessee.
  • "If you haven’t seen it, go check it out...the Tennessee guy doing that just made it that much better." – Brent [50:10]
• Quick trivia: Georgia is the only school with football playoff and hoops tourney appearances last 2 years.
  • "Georgia is the one that comes to mind, obviously, because Gonzaga and St. Louis, back to back year." – David Pollack [51:21]

Other Notable Quotes & Moments

• On changing expectations at Alabama:

  "Just because the game changed doesn’t mean Tuscaloosa is going to change." – David Pollack [15:32]

• On systems helping edge production:

  "I want to play in systems that know how to get me matched up with one-on-ones. That is a win." – David Pollack [25:32]

• On mentality as a pass rusher:

  "Sometimes that means I'll miss. And I was more concerned about reading the guy in front of me... what are the ways that you can beat them." – David Pollack [28:00]

• On mid-major transfers:
  "Indiana is going to go get a QB with their money...That's the way it works." – David Pollack [18:13]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Alabama’s CFP Encore?: 01:20 – 16:21
• EDGE Rushers—Top Returners & Trends: 16:22 – 31:15
• John Calipari of College Football?: 31:14 – 38:08
• March Madness Discussion: 38:08 – 46:58
• Who Won the Weekend: 48:04 – 52:13

Tone & Style

Lively, insightful, no-nonsense analysis. Pollack is honest—even blunt—with a coach’s and ex-player’s perspective, while Brent brings data and dry wit. Both deploy plenty of storytelling and banter, keeping it accessible for both die-hards and casuals.

Key Takeaways

• Alabama’s program is at a real crossroads: DeBoer faces immense pressure, roster turnover, and mythic standards. Both hosts agree he's on a hot seat if Bama misses the 2026 playoff.
• College football’s EDGE rusher landscape has shifted: Miami and Texas Tech are the new DE/OLB “factories,” fueled by portal/NIL money, while system fit is as essential as raw talent.
• The “Calipari of CFB” question: Open to interpretation, but personality, recruiting, and willingness to challenge norms are as important as titles in this comparison.
• Brackets & fun: The episode wraps with an infectious love for March Madness and some joyous moments for college baseball and U.S. teams, linking the broader world of college sports together.

For more, catch David and Brent for their next episode featuring O-line legend Aaron Taylor.