Podcast Summary: "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack"
Episode: The See Ball Get Ball Heisman & CFB Awards Watch List
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Introduction and Personal Anecdotes (00:00 - 05:10)
In the opening segment, David Pollack welcomes listeners back to the "See Ball Get Ball" podcast, expressing gratitude for their continued support. He shares a light-hearted Father's Day story about encouraging his son, Nicholas, to play golf—a tradition that humorously backfired when Nicholas opted out despite the special occasion. David reflects on the significance of Father's Day, celebrating both his own father and the role of being a dad himself.
Notable Quote:
"I hope everybody had a great Father's Day. Always a fun day to celebrate those that help you get where you're at."
— David Pollack [00:00]
David also touches on watching the US Open golf tournament from a suite, where an impressive putt by JJ Spieth captivated him. He humorously critiques the challenging layout of the golf course's green, highlighting the skill required for such pivotal moments.
Brent Rollins joins the conversation, sharing his excitement over witnessing the dramatic finish of the US Open and teasing David about his recent indulgence at Oakmont Bakery, where David humorously admits to "gaining seven pounds just looking at everything."
College Football News and Transfer Window (05:10 - 07:22)
Transitioning to college football, David and Brent discuss recent developments, including Pete Thamel's insights on conference realignment involving Texas State and potential moves to the PAC-12. They also mention the FBS oversight committee's deliberations on establishing a single transfer portal window, with a consensus leaning towards January.
David emphasizes the positive impact of the single transfer window:
Notable Quote:
"This will make college football better. It just limits the amount of movement...you can build rosters better, you have more ability to stick with it."
— David Pollack [07:22]
Both hosts agree that these changes will enhance team stability and competitiveness without detracting from players' opportunities or financial prospects.
Heisman Trophy Discussion and Watch List (07:22 - 25:36)
The core of the episode delves into the Heisman Trophy, exploring its historical bias towards quarterbacks and speculating on potential shifts towards awarding the best overall player, regardless of position.
David Pollack critiques the Heisman's quarterback bias, noting that seven of the last ten winners have been QBs. He argues for a more inclusive approach that recognizes outstanding players from all positions, especially in an era of increased parity in college football.
Notable Quote:
"Seven of the last 10 winners, 11 of the last 14 have been quarterbacks. I think the days of this being a quarterback award is going to be less."
— David Pollack [09:11]
Brent Rollins echoes this sentiment, highlighting the success of non-quarterback finalists like wide receivers Devonte Smith and Marvin Harrison Jr., and stressing the importance of defensive contributions.
They compile a Heisman Watch List, featuring:
- Arch Manning (Texas Longhorns) - Presented as the favorite with the lowest betting odds.
- Sam Levitt - Highlighted as a strong candidate despite being a long shot.
- Cade Klubnick (Clemson) - Praised for his explosive playmaking abilities.
- Jeremiah Smith - Recognized for his dominance as a wide receiver and role as a force multiplier in his offense.
- Dante Moore (Oregon) and Kevin Jennings (SMU) - Discussed as undervalued candidates with significant potential impact.
Notable Quote:
"Give me Sam Levitt. Like, I think it, it's plus 2500. Right? that's the guy."
— David Pollack [15:01]
The discussion also touches on emerging talents like Demon Williams Jr. (Washington) and Colin Simmons, exploring their potential to surprise the racing favorites.
Other Individual Awards: Lombardi, Bednarik, Outland, and Broyles (25:36 - 43:09)
Moving beyond the Heisman, David and Brent examine other prestigious college football awards:
Lombardi and Outland Awards
These awards honor the nation's best linemen—Lombardi for outstanding linemen embodying Vince Lombardi's character, and Outland for the best interior lineman on either offense or defense.
Brent Rollins lists potential candidates, including:
- Kaden Proctor (Alabama) - Noted for his physical presence and NFL-like appearance.
- Jake Slaughter (Florida) - Praised for his performance at center.
- Others mentioned: Dylan Gabriel (SMU), Emil Wagner (Notre Dame), Aaron Graves (Iowa), and Caleb Banks (Florida).
David Pollack adds depth to the discussion, emphasizing the challenges of measuring defensive impact and the importance of offensive contributions for these awards.
Notable Quote:
"You have to bring a bunch of different stats. And I think he's going to bring the defensive stats and interceptions and deflections and tackles and big plays."
— David Pollack [37:55]
Bednarik Award
Recognizing the nation's best defensive player, David leans towards Caleb Downs as the front-runner due to his versatility and multi-faceted impact on the game.
Notable Quote:
"Whenever you're nominated for an award the year before, it's a really good sign that you'll be back. He's the only one coming back from that list."
— David Pollack [37:59]
Broyles Award
Awarded to the nation's top assistant coach, Brent and David discuss potential candidates such as Marcus Arroyo (Arizona State), Bryant Haynes (Indiana University), and Pete Kwitowski (Texas). They evaluate the impact of coaching on team performance and individual player development.
Notable Quote:
"Our first C ball get ball preseason watch list before a lot of the other ones come out."
— David Pollack [40:46]
Conclusion and Future Episodes (43:09 - End)
Wrapping up, David and Brent reflect on the widespread talent distribution in college football, particularly noting the spread beyond traditional SEC powerhouses. They preview upcoming episodes, including a conversation with Pete Thamel about ongoing conference realignments and their effects on the sport.
Brent Rollins emphasizes the evolving landscape of college football, appreciating the increased opportunities for players to maximize their potential through strategic transfers and system alignments.
Notable Quote:
"The talent is spread out more so than any other time."
— Brent Rollins [44:50]
David closes by reaffirming their commitment to providing insightful content as the football season approaches, celebrating the sport's dynamic nature and the competitive spirit it fosters.
Overall Insights:
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Heisman Trophy Trends: While traditionally favoring quarterbacks, there's a growing emphasis on recognizing exceptional players from all positions due to increased parity in college football.
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Impact of Transfer Regulations: The proposed single transfer window is seen as a positive change, allowing teams to build more stable and cohesive rosters.
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Diverse Talent Recognition: Awards like the Lombardi, Bednarik, Outland, and Broyles are discussed with a focus on honoring a broad range of positions and contributions, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the game.
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Future Predictions: The hosts anticipate a competitive season with numerous standout players and coaching strategies that will shape the landscape of college football awards.
Stay Connected:
Subscribe to David Pollack's College Football channels for more in-depth analysis and updates:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPollackCFB?sub_confirmation=1
- The Family Goals Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@FamilyGoalsPod
- Website: https://davidpollack.com
- Twitter (X): https://x.com/davidpollack47
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidpollack47/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dpollack47
This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the "See Ball Get Ball" podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.