← The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
Building the Beast: Shrine Bowl preview and CFP National Championship Game takeaways
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A
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B
Ios mobile app knock Knock.
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C
Ooh, who's there?
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B
A Boost Mobile expert here to deliver and set up your all new iPhone 17 Pro, designed to be the most powerful iPhone ever.
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D
You call that a knock knock joke?
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B
This isn't a joke. Boost Mobile really sends experts to deliver and set up your phone at home or work.
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C
Okay.
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D
It's just that when people say knock.
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C
Knock, there's usually a joke to go with it.
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B
Like I said, this isn't a joke.
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D
So the knock knock was just you knocking?
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B
Yeah, that's how doors work.
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D
Get the new iPhone 17 Pro delivered.
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C
And set up by an expert wherever you are. Delivery available for select devices purchased at boostmobile.com, terms apply here.
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D
Here's how to stay alive longer so you can enjoy Boost Mobile's unlimited plan with a price that never goes up. Do not mistake a wasp nest for a pinata. Stay alive and switch now at boost mobile, after 30 gigs, customers may experience slower speeds. Customers will pay $25 a month as long as they remain active on the Boost Mobile Unlimited plan. Welcome to another episode of Building the Beast. I am your host, Dave Hellman, and the national championship is in the books. The Indiana Hoosiers beat the Miami Hurricanes to cap off an undefeated and Dane Brugler and myself talked through all the standouts, all the biggest impressions from Just a phenomenal way to cap off the 2025 college football season, which also marks in earnest the beginning of the 2026 Draft Cycle Special interview for y' all on this episode. Eric Galco, the director of football operations for the East West Shrine bowl, was gracious enough to join us to talk all things Shrine bowl some of the biggest pieces of his roster for this year's game, players he's intrigued by, players he thinks could make an in the NFL, best positions on the roster. All that good stuff. Great conversation with Eric coming up at the end of this episode. So it's a loaded one. First, our annual listener survey is live and you can participate by going to theathletic.com survey26 three lucky entries will win $100 worth of Amazon vouchers. So whether you're a longtime listener or a new one, we want your feedback. Go to theathletic.com survey26 the link is also in our episode description and with that, let's start the show. Well, Dane, if football season's going to end, at least it ends on a high note. And really, what else could you want from a national championship game than what we got on Monday night? The Indiana Hoosiers cap off a perfect 160 season. They downed the Miami Hurricanes 27 to 21. But I'll just be honest, I thought Miami would hang and their defense gave them a shot to hang all through the playoffs. I don't know if I thought Miami would be driving to potentially win in the final minutes. It was that good of a game. And like I said, if if this is our last college football until August, what a way to go out. What a, what a way to cap this season off. Man.
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B
I didn't disappoint. Just an instant classic. And I mean, I was shocked when I got the text from you saying this is a better team than the 2019 LSU squad.
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D
I never said that. Hush.
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B
I was shocked when I received that text. But no, seriously, I don't. That LSU team was better on offense, but this might be the most impressive national championship team that I've seen in my lifetime. Not the best, but just the most impressive. To do what they did over the last two years as a collective from a coaching staff perspective and, and then to go through the regular season 12 and O, and then you knock off Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon and Miami four straight to win the national title is just to me, it's as impressive as we've seen a performance from a team. And I say team because it's not just yeah, they had the Heisman winning quarterback, but the run game, the offensive line, the defense, the special teams, it all factored in at every point this season, especially this title game. So it was. It was just a lot of fun to watch. And I mean, shoot where you want to start because there, there's. You were right about this Miami defense hanging. They did not give Mendoza any time to throw the ball. The O line was hanging in there, but they were getting beat up. Even like Elijah Sarat, who's been such a big weapon for them all season, he had a pretty quiet game. Had that. Had that one drop that I think it was on third down. Omar Cooper made some plays. I think, by the way, Omar Cooper, he deserves more love as like a top 40 guy is like. Like, if you're gonna list the receivers in this draft, I think it's a pretty short list before you start making the argument that, okay, Cooper's next or like, you know, he belongs in this tier. And then Alec Pierce, I mean, Charlie Becker was awesome too. Like, just making plays. Those back shoulders.
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D
Like in starting with the Big Ten title game, Fernando Mendoza was like, man, if I just give this guy a shot, he's gonna admit he's gonn 50 ball into an 8020 ball. Like, I felt like every big moment where Indiana had to have it for the last month and a half, odds are it's a. It's a Charlie Becker ball. And I can't say I blame him.
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B
The only reason we really saw him this year was because Sarat got hurt for those couple games. And so Becker had to step up and boy, did he. Enough to the point where in the end I was like, all right, we have to keep him out there. We cannot. All right, Surat's back. Great. We cannot take Becker and remove him from this offense. And you know, we saw that payoff in, in the Big Ten title game against Ohio State. And by the way, he is not draft eligible for those listening and wondering. So we'll hold off on a deep dive on him. But Indiana probably doesn't win this title without him, which is crazy to see, to say, and then have to mention obviously that that fourth and five tremendous play call the individual effort by Mendoza, just. Just an awesome, legendary type of play that, like, it wasn't in the final minute. You know, it wasn't like the last play, but it was late enough in the fourth quarter where it just felt like this is a statement type of type of play that we're going to remember for a long time.
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D
So, yeah, it's not shocking, it's not groundbreaking, but that's what's going to stick with me. And that's where I would have to start. And I said it before the game. It's not fair to anybody to compare the talent levels across eras. Like, this is just a new time in college football where, like, comparing rosters is pointless. But this Indiana team, man, it. I. It was a little bit harder than I thought it would be, if I'm being honest. But, like, the resolve that they had and that sequence where Kurt Signetti makes the call and he's like, we didn't come this far to come this far.
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B
We're.
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D
We're going. We're punching a touchdown in right here. Screw your field goal. And then for Fernando Mendoza, again, he's. He's a. He's kind of a. He's a goofy white guy. I mean, listen to his. Listen to his interviews after the game. And I think, you know, people try to paint him that way. That dude has plenty of athleticism, plenty of grit. He's getting beat to hell by Ruben Bane and Akeem Mezador all night long. He gets hit behind, like, at the sticks, gets over the line to gain, and then, like, just will not be denied the end zone. That right there. I mean, I was sold on Mendoza as the number one overall pick anyway, but that moment, I was like, get this guy on my team. What a fricking warrior. Are you kidding me? And I think the other thing, too, is just this game. It really felt like everybody, and for our purposes, like, for the NFL purposes, everybody on both sides of the ball gave such a good accounting of themselves. Like, it's not a situation where you're like, ah, what happened with him? Where was his head at? Like, why didn't he play better on this stage? Like, Mendoza, I know the stat, the stats are not impressive, but for the duress that he was under, I thought he was nails. When you already talked plenty about the Indiana receivers, the Miami pass rushers, gave them a shot to win this game. They were outstanding. I fell in love with d' Angelo Ponds all over again. I mean, I saw your tweet on Monday night. Like, yeah, he's going to measure in every inch of 5, 8, and I do not give a shit. I mean, I'm sure it'll affect his draft stock, but get that guy on my team. If a 5, 8 corner is laying hits like that in. In the national championship game of college football, I just. I thought all of the principal parties to this game really just left it out all, like, left it on the field, on the winning and losing side. And it was really fun.
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B
I've never Used the word baller in a scouting report. It's just, it's too ambiguous. It's kind of lazy, but you know it when you see it. And pawns is a baller. And like, he was targeted six times in this game, gave up one catch for six yards, three pbu, zero flags there. There were a few borderline plays there where, you know, his aggressiveness and his physicality, you know, you could have argued, maybe there was a penalty there, but they weren't, they weren't called. Just this is just a good football player. And so I'm not saying you completely overlook the size and just draft them top 15, top 20. But there's a case to be made why he should be a top 50 type of player. And you know, he, he played a lot of nickel in high school and in college. He's been mostly an outside guy, but he has the ingredients that, the toughness and the, and the physicality to play that nickel position. So the same way we talked about Mikey Sane Restill as a prospect, you know, it's similar with this guy. He belongs somewhere in that second round. He's going to run fast. I mean, he was a 10, 4, 100 meter guy, so he's going to run fast at the Comb. So I'll be pretty surprised if he doesn't get somewhere in that second round. And then I'm glad you mentioned just the toughness of Mendoza because that's something that it sticks with you when you watch him. The. In this goes back really all season. You know, the Big Ten title game, Ohio State. The first play from scrimmage was him just getting knocked out by Kaden Curry.
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C
We.
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B
And he had to leave the field. We didn't know if we would see him again. He, he misses one play, that's it, and he's back out there and is playing at a high level. So the toughness that he plays with, how, how unflappable he is, the poise, even though the. We knew what the Miami game plan was going to be in this, in this one, it wasn't hard to figure out. It's just pressure, pressure, pressure. Whether it's simulated pressures, it's. We're going to move Mazador and Bane to different parts of that defensive line. Sometimes they were on the same side and it's like, all right, stop it. And you know, the offensive line for the most part, held up just enough. But he, Mendoza got hit plenty. So the toughness that he showed to bounce back every single play, pretty impressive.
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D
I completely forgot he converted yeah, that was one of the Becker balls, was a fourth down on the same drive where he scores the touchdown. So just clutch moment after clutch moment. Tom Brady and Mark Davis and John Spytack of the Las Vegas Raiders were all in attendance for that.
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C
I.
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D
Nothing is for certain in this crazy world, but I would just be shocked if they don't already have his name at least in pencil on the draft slip until future notice.
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B
After the game, we had to do a quick reaction on the Athletic, and the question that I had to answer was, is there any doubt about who's going to be the number one overall pick or who are the other contenders for the number one overall pick? And my, my answer was pretty simple. And it's like, Mendoza is going to be the number one pick. Next question, like, this is if, if it's not by the Raiders, if for whatever reason the Raiders are not sold or they believe that Mendoza is not their guy, they're trading the pick because there will be plenty of other teams lining up with an offer to move up to number one to take the quarterback. And like, that's not to say Mendoza is perfect or, you know, I don't think he's on the same level as Joe Burrow when he was coming out. I think he's on the same level as Drake May and Caleb Williams as, as prospects when they were coming out. But he's going to be a starter in this league for a long time and he's just, he's got all the ingredients that you want for someone that's going to be productive and win your football games.
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D
I agree with that. And yeah, thinking back over the last five or six years, Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, the 2024 guys, like, certainly Mendoza is not like a, a rare. I don't even want to say the G word. I'm done with the word generational. But he's, he's certainly not that. But I think, I think people get stuck in this mindset of, well, if he's not that, then he's not worth taking number one overall. And like, for all of his, for all of his warts. And I know that he changed teams, but like, Jared Goff has proven to be firmly worth the number one overall pick in the draft where he was taken. I mean, and so I think people get so hung up looking for Patrick Mahomes. And I understand why, but I think this, this game cemented my opinion that this guy is, he is very, very deserving of being the number one overall pick. It's not just because this is an underwhelming top 10 or an underwhelming quarterback class. Like, he very much deserves to be drafted that highly and spoken of that way. And I think Monday night showed that off. And yeah, some. Somebody asked me before the game like, oh, would the Raiders trade away from Mendoza? And like I said, nothing is guaranteed. But I'm pretty confident they won't be able to talk themselves into doing that. Like, I think he is a good enough prospect that whatever the haul is, it's probably not worth it if you, if this guy's got a shot to be your starter for six to 10 years.
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B
Yep. And I received some pushback when I, maybe a week or two ago, I tweeted that if the Raiders believe he's going to be a top 15 quarterback in the NFL, you draft him and people kind of push back. Like, oh, top 15 for a number one overall pick. Like, you know, he should be a top five. Like, that's just not how it works. If you make a list of the top 15 quarterbacks in the NFL right now, and if Mendoza ends up somewhere in like that 10 to 15 range, that's, that's what you want. That's exactly what you're looking for because he's going to help you compete for the division, go to the playoffs, and then like, you know, we're like, we're seeing in the playoffs right now. Once you get in, it's just about winning one game after another. And you know, Mendoza has that in him to, to lead a team to that point.
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D
Yeah, I think just another example of the best quarterbacks in the NFL breaking people's brains about what is, what is a fair expectation. All right, a couple more things to talk about coming out of the national title game and Indiana, Miami, we'll do that really quick. On the other side of the spring.
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E
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D
Like I said, Dane, a tough loss for Miami. They were right there at the end. Obviously we haven't mentioned it. Carson Beck throws an interception with a chance to lead the Hurricanes down for the game winning touchdown in the final minutes. But even with the interception, this was such a good accounting of themselves by the Miami Hurricanes. What a. What a run by them first of all. And then again, I counted like upward of half a dozen guys playing in this game where I was like yes, I put this player on my favorite team.
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B
Please.
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D
That would be nice.
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B
Yeah. And we'll just start with Carson Beck and he for the most part played a pretty clean game up until the end and so much of the strategy was to lean on the run game, which credit Indiana's defense for the way they stepped up for most of the game shutting down and just a yard felt hard for Mark Fletcher and that Miami offense. But you know, you look at Corson back the last two years there are, I think just, he's second in all of college football with 24 interceptions. So not a list you want to be on. And his experience, he's played 40, he started 43 games in college. He's lost only six games, which is a pretty crazy resume to be what, 37 and 6 over your three years as a starter. But in those six losses he had a total of 14 turnovers including last night. And that, that, that, that game clinching interception by Indiana under a minute left. And so that's kind of what I think is going to limit him in the NFL. He has NFL size, he's accurate when he's in, in rhythm, he can buy a little bit of time, but the poise really breaks down when he's pressured. And they're just going to be a handful of throws every game that you want him, he wants back. So I think that's, that's what kind of relegates him to backup status and maybe spot starter. But I mean credit to, you know, it's a 16 game schedule for them. It's hard and, but credit to Carson Beck for, you know, getting what, three wins in the playoffs like that, that was not easy to do, especially against those opponents.
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D
I am really intrigued by where the Ruben Bane discourse goes from here because we've outlined it before. He was runaway top 10 pick early in the season. Phenomenal year for Miami. I mean this Miami pass rush is why they were within a minute of winning the national championship in my opinion. And as we've gone through the season, we, we've talked about it, you know, not all NFL front offices are going to view him the same. Where does he play at the NFL level? What does that mean for his ceiling? I was, I continue to be so impressed by this guy and like if you tell me he's not going to be drafted in the top 10 pick, I believe you. But I don't know how much longer I'm willing to wait after that. I'm so impressed by the violence that he plays with and he's, he's a well rounded player too. Like he was phenomenal against the run in this game.
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B
He's a better run defender in my opinion.
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D
But yeah, I, I, like I said, I get it. If he's not a slam dunk top 10 prospect, but I just have a hard time believing he's going to have to wait that long to hear his name called.
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B
Oh, I agree. I mean, and I think most of the discourse from scouts and from others like was awesome. Against Notre Dame in the opener and then from like game and the, the 10 games after that opener, he had like, I think four sacks maybe. So like he was just. There were times, especially in the losses, smu, Louisville, you just didn't feel him out there. He wasn't making a big impact. And so I think that's where most of the discourse came from. But then once we got to the playoffs, it was like, okay, this guy is a one man wrecking crew. You could not slow him down. So I buzzed through the tape this morning from, from the national title game and the, the defensive line was just fantastic. Bane, most of his impactful plays came in the run game. He was dominant, just stacking the point, making stops. Mezador was awesome, rushing, rushing the quarterback, he had I think four or five pressures where it was just tough to slow him down. Ahmad Moten at defensive tackle, he had three or four big time plays that were just drive killers for Indiana. A few times he just undressed Pat Coogan at center. So we expected the Miami defensive line to play at a high level. They didn't disappoint. So we know Bane and Mazador are going to be in this draft. They were both in my first round mock draft. It'll be interesting with Moten because he's a junior and I know talking to scouts, they expected him to go back the way this season ended. I don't know. We'll have to wait and see how that ends up. But yeah, the defense as a whole was flying around, hitting, playing hard. Jacobe Thomas had some big hits. The linebackers played well for the most part. So it was, it really felt like it was two really good, you know, the offensive, the Indiana offense versus Miami defense. It really felt like two really good units going, going at battle.
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D
And I guess this is worth saying if you're new to the draft process, maybe the championship game is like the first college football you watch this year. If you're wondering why we're not talking about Malachi Tony and Mark Fletcher, they're not expected to be part of this draft class. Malachi Tony had the season he had as a true freshman, which is just going to put all eyes on him for the foreseeable future. 109 catches, 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns. For the Hurricanes as a true freshman. And then Mark Fletcher opted to return to school.
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C
So he's.
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D
I mean, Tony and Fletcher, I don't know for sure who's quarterbacking the Hurricanes in 2026. I. Last time I checked, they were making a run at Darien Mensah.
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B
Sure sounds that way.
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D
We'll see how all that goes. But whoever quarterback, I'm.
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B
I'm interested with Fletcher because I know he technically. And so just for people that don't understand the deadline for underclassmen, it was last week, except for the two teams.
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D
Extended for the teams playing in the title game. Yeah.
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B
Right. So, you know, by the time you listen to this, you know, there might be news on that front, but, you know, Mark Fletcher, B. He is draft eligible, so there's a chance he could come out. We'll see. I mean, he. Watching him, he looked like, I don't know, 75% of like a Derrick Henry type. Like, just. He could run off tackle, you could. He could tilt the field, get downhill. If you're a safety, the last thing you want is Fletcher picking up speed and running right at you. So, you know that he was such a big part of that offense and, yeah, it feels like he's one of the rare bigger backs that's going to translate well to the NFL.
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D
Interesting night for Mark Fletcher. He obviously. I mean, he had a phenomenal game. He did. He did mix it up with some Indiana players after the final whistle. So if he. If he does decide to go pro, I'm sure. I'm sure that'll all be talking points with NFL decision makers. If he gets to that point. As of right now, he is supposed to be headed back to Miami. But you're right. We'll see how that ages moving forward. I think that's just about everything, but, man, it is. I am curious, too. Cause, you know everybody. Everybody's favorite thing to do. Dan, you know how this goes. As soon as the draft's over, everybody wants you to do a mock draft. And so obviously, everybody's got to put out their way too early top 20 fives for next year. And I'm so fascinated where these teams go from here. Like I said, we'll. We'll see what Miami does about their quarterbacks. But I was looking through it this morning, and I forgot because so much has happened. Kurt Signetti's got Josh hoover coming from TCU to play quarterback for him in 2026, which, if I was an Indiana fan, that would excite me a lot. I think Josh Hoover's got a lot of juice. So I don't think the Hoosiers are going anywhere, man.
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B
No, and I mean it. The transfer portal and just the way things work now, Indiana was able to reload in a lot of key positions. Nick Marsh, the transfer from Michigan State, wide receiver, really good player, a few others. So yeah, I think there's a lot of, a lot of unknown like Texas is going to be up there. When you consider we hit on this last episode too with just Arch Manning and Goose be a left tackle. The running backs they brought in, the receivers they have, you know, the reload on defense. So Texas will be up there, Ohio State will be up there. Who from the sec? Who else from the sec? You know, Alabama's taking a little bit of stumble. What do they look like next year LSU is going to have a brand new roster with obviously a new coaching staff. So what does that look like? There's going to be a lot of uncertainty with, you know, as we go into next college football season. But yeah, it's just kind of the new normal, I guess. But I think you're right, Indiana not going anywhere. They should be ranked as a top five team going into next year even though they are going to lose a lot, which is not uncommon. I mean we saw, you know, two years ago Michigan won the national title and lost a lot of dudes and had double digit draft picks. Next year, Ohio State, same thing, won the national title last year. And then in the spring, double digit draft picks. Indiana's following suit. They're going to have double digit draft picks this upcoming year, which is kind of crazy for this Hoosier program that has never been known as a producer of NFL talent. But a lot changed this year for.
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D
That program and so much has happened over the last week. I forgot Dante Moore officially stayed in school. We did the last show right before he opted to stay. We laid all of that out in the last episode. So if you, if you want to go hear our Dante Moore thoughts, I don't think his decision really changes them that much. But Dante Moore staying for 2026. So there'll be plenty of hype around the Oregon Ducks, the Texas Longhorns as well, for all the reasons you just laid out. I think those, those two might be at the top of the heap when you're talking about preseason expectations and the hype that goes with them and all that good stuff. But that does it for the 2025 college football season, which it's a little sad, Dane, but not that sad because now it just means we can jump right into the 2026 draft cycle.
- [31:27]
B
There's not, there's just no time to even feel sadness because there's too much work to do. Right? I mean, the Shrine game coming up here this week, then the Senior bowl and then a lot of combine prep. And so, yeah, we're going to, we're going to be hitting the ground running here over the next few weeks and you're going to be super busy with the super bowl going on. But yeah, we'll have it all covered.
- [31:47]
D
Speaking of busy, speaking of hitting the ground running, Eric Galco of the East West Shrine Bowl, I mean, he is in the process of getting his game together right after the national title game, and we're going to talk to him on the other side of this break.
- [32:02]
E
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D
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- [34:57]
E
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- [36:26]
D
Well, we've said forever that the NFL draft is a 365 day a year business. But as we are joined here by the director of football operations and player personnel of the East West Shrine Bowl, Eric Galko. Eric, it feels more true than ever considering we're Talking to you 12 hours after the conclusion of the final college football game of the year and I'm sure you're one of the busiest guys in the industry trying to organize everything for the starter Shrine bowl practice right now with, with the latest guys coming off of their season on Monday night.
- [36:58]
C
Yeah, it was a great game to watch and I think like most people, this college season probably goes a bit longer than it needs to and hopefully they fix that schedule for the future too. But no doubt we've got, I think we had seven or eight guys that are playing in that championship game coming to the Shrine bowl this week as well too. So watching those guys perform their last college game was awesome to watch too. But now it's kind of fishing on the draft season. It kicks off with the Shrine Bowl.
- [37:18]
B
So this is, is this your fifth year doing this now? I think. Right.
- [37:22]
C
Made me feel old. I think it is my fifth year.
- [37:24]
B
That's crazy. I mean I remember when you, when you called me and told me that you were going to take over this role and all the ideas you had and just to make the better, a better process for scouts, for teams, for the players, just give the listeners an idea of the Shrine bowl and how it's evolved over the last five years since it's been under your leadership.
- [37:46]
C
Yeah, I mean for one, we wanted to have the best players possible at the Shrine Bowl. Right. The Shrine bowl back when it just started over. This is the 101st year of the Shrine bowl, which is crazy. The only bowl game older than this is the Rose Bowl. So it has great history and for much of the hundred years it was the creme de la creme of the All Star game, of the off season, of the NFL process. And I want to bring that back. And that starts with having great players and taking care of players is the focus. Right. We have the NFL facility, the Dallas Cowboys facility, great resources, making sure our guys are taken care of and our interview process is great and have a great player experience. But one thing else I wanted to do is because of my background and working at the XFL and that kind of Innovation, part of my career kind of translate over here as well. And being from the media and from the outside of NFL teams as well is I wanted to have this event be more than just players practicing and playing in a game. Right. So we have the hospital piece of it. We also have this year we last year we added our will same throwing session, which is kind of a pro day of sorts for NFL the team. So that with our quarterbacks this year we have a brand new analytics competition, not unlike the Big Data bowl as well for NFL teams to be at as well. So I love the fact that we've got great access to players, but also new things every year that teams are looking forward to besides as the players in the field too. So this year we should have a new record number of draft picks. We've had a new number record of draft picks every year since I've been here. But I think we've got a better event overall this year and I'm really excited about it. Of course, Jerry's facility at the Dallas Cowboys with the Star is pretty darn good too.
- [39:04]
D
I think off the top of my head people would mention that Brock Purdy played in this game a few years ago. And obviously when a Shrine bowl guy goes on to a career like Brock's, that's that's going to stand out. Is it Brock Purdy or is there, is there another moment over the last five years where you've kind of seen it click and some momentum start to build for, for getting a higher caliber of draftable caliber players and really seeing this jump onto the map more than maybe it was in the past.
- [39:34]
C
I think it's one of those things where it happens all at once over the course of a long period of time. Right. And one of the cool things, which I always believe when we did this, you know, a couple years ago and I told the Shriners Children's Hospital, hey, if we're going to have a great event, it's got to start with our player experience. Is that every year players tell their teammates, hey, the Shrine bowl was better than other All Star games. Hey, the Shrine bowl took care of me. Hey, Eric took care of me. And I do stuff before, during and after that to help these guys as well too. That's been a big part of it. So certainly are some guys, whether it's Tyquan Thornton who end up being, you know, my first year was a top 50 pick from the Shrine Bowl. Right. And him being a guy that we had that chose to Shrine bowl having more and more players choose the Shrine bowl as their All Star game of choice. Having NFL teams see great value in our interview process. You know, we've got over 25. I think we're going to have like 27, 28 GMs here and multiple head coaches. Like, they're here because of the talent, but also because they know that this week is really worthwhile. So I think for everybody, I always focus on the event because I can control the event. I can't always control what 21, 22 year olds do in the draft process. So I think for me it's doing things, hopefully knock on wood, the right way. And also having teammates and agents see that, hey, the Shrine bowl is going to take care of our guys. You know, we've done this for four years. We've never had a player miss the NFL combine testing because of an injury at the Shrine Bowl. Like all of our guys leave the Shrine bowl healthy. That's luck. Hopefully. I'm not jinxing myself on this podcast, but I think also for sure it's how we take care of players. So it's been again, all of a sudden, over five years, it's happened where players more and more are seeing the value of this compared to other All Star events.
- [40:59]
B
One of the values of a setting like this is a chance to see a prospect in a different role, a different position. And I think Harold Perkins from lsu, one of the best pound for pound athletes in this draft class, you know, what's his role in the NFL and how is that going to play out this week? Or Brian Parker from Duke, who was a college tackle, but at least in my opinion, I think his future is going to be inside in the NFL, probably at center. So do you think we're going to see a chance to see some of these players in those different roles to give them a chance to shine and also give teams an opportunity to see them in a different position.
- [41:35]
C
Yeah, work with all of our players before they get here. Because my job, I believe, is player first and kind of NFL teams second, close second, but players first. Because I want guys to be positions to be successful. Right. I don't want a guy playing left tackle if he's never played there before and he's going to look bad in practice. But certainly some of these guys are versatile prospects and they know that and they want to show it. Right? For Harold Perkins, the question for him is going to be, you know, are you a tweener? Are you a neither or are you a both is what I always say. Right? So tweener Being between two spots, neither being played both in college can't do it. I think Harold's going to show that he can play off ball linebacker in coverage and nine on seven drills in the run fit but also as an edge rusher off the edge and he'll. You'll see him in one on ones and online D line you'll see him play linebacker and matchup coverage all week long as well too. I think Harold Perkins and a couple of guys on our roster, these were guys that were in first mock first round mock drafts before the season in their college career. These guys didn't get worse situations may have changed in their college defense or offense. I think Harold one of those guys that he may leave the triangle week in the NFL combine being we can get Harold Perkins in the top 50 like we got to go do that right. So I think he's a guy that will do a lot of those different things. And then Brian Parker, he'll play some roles inside certainly he'll play some center this week as well as guard as well. NFL teams want to see him play really all five positions. And talking to Brian, he's super confident he can do it.
- [42:47]
D
Really appreciate you asking about Perkins Dane. So I don't look like a homer. Thank you, Eric. One thing that really made my eyebrows perk up while I was getting ready to talk to you is you were making practice film available from these practices which is incredible by the way. Just like thinking about where things have come since Dana and I started doing this. I mean it's night and day doesn't even do it justice. So my question for you, I get it if you don't want to play favorites but if I'm flipping on practice tape which of these units, which of these groups is like a one? Like where should I start? Which are you most excited about?
- [43:25]
C
I think online D line is always everyone's favorite. I feel it's really tangible there and I think as across this whole draft class really I think our roster reflects what the whole draft class looks like where the D tax and edge rusher especially are going to be loaded across this class and one guy talk to NFL teams. I'll give my cop out. The NFL team said this not my opinion that they're really excited to see is Malachi Lawrence of ucf a lot of our edge rushers. I believe every single one of them was a first wave NFL combine invite. I believe maybe one was going to be a second wave guy. But that means NFL teams like 20 plus said this guy is a Draft pick. This guy wanted the combine. But Malachi Lawrence is the one that really since mid season I started having not just area scouts but as they can attest like directors and assistant GMs who shouldn't be watching. All these players in season are like, do you know Malachi Lawrence? We've got these kind of grades on him and he's, he's the one guy this edge group. I expect most of our edge rushers to be drafted at somewhere on day three and the draft process will determine that. But he's the one that if you told me he bumps up quite a bit his grade from the Shrine bowl week, I would not be surprised at all. NFL teams are excited about him. He's long, he's athletic, he produced this year. He finishes in the back really high level. He's got that wingspan to finish when he generates pressure. I think NFL teams think this guy could rise up to be a starting level player in the NFL. But definitely our edge rushers and defensive line per NFL teams per the NFL combine are probably our strongest group as a, as a whole.
- [44:40]
B
Man, there's a lot of reasons I'm excited to get down to Frisco. Rudy's breakfast tacos are up there. But maybe the only thing higher is to see Daryl Jackson up close. Sticking with the defensive line. This guy is 65340, 11 inch hands over 35 inch arms. He might be the best player or the highest drafted prospect from this game this year. Who else are we talking about as potential top 50, top 75, top 100 guys that will be on the field this week?
- [45:11]
C
Yeah, I think, you know, I think maybe you know where they get drafted. I think Demon Claiborne will be one of, if not the highest, I should be the highest senior running back draft in this year's draft class. I think he could go fairly early in the top 100 picks. Jack Endries at tight end will be the top tight at any All Star game comfortably. He's going to be a guy that I think could rise to be one of the best three or four tight ends in this draft class. But I think Demonte Capehart, Darrell Jackson are two guys that again similar to Harold Perkins, you can google their name and first round mock drafts. The last couple of years those guys were both in there. I think both those guys have immense talent that maybe the season and the defensive scheme or whatever it was didn't always highlight those guys, but those are two guys. Capehart, Darrell Jackson, I mentioned Jack Endre, Harold Perkins, all those guys. I think have a great chance to be not only top 100 picks that may already be kind of in the works and a good chance to be but to your point, those top 50 picks and I think this year across the draft class, especially at D tackle, it's a really strong group and the junior class that may be coming out and the senior class and certainly for the Shrine bowl week all week long too, those two guys have a chance to kind of reassert themselves as the top 50 picks, top maybe even first round level talents that they have in their college career.
- [46:17]
D
Dana and I, as you might guess, have talked a lot about Dante Moore and Kenyan Sadiq on this show. I do feel like Oregon's receivers have gone under discussed and again my eyebrows went up when I saw Malik Benson on your roster. What can you tell me about him? And maybe, I mean you got a ton of very intriguing receivers on this roster. Just overall, what do you think of the group?
- [46:40]
C
Yeah, not trying to use the NFL combine to validate how good of scouts we are, but all of our receivers are first wave combine invites as well to Malik Benson being one of them. And he's a guy from West west coast scouts that was like, hey, they use a lot of receivers at Oregon. They had some turnover, they use the tight ends and a lot of running backs. But oftentimes a lot of west coast scouts were excited about Malik Benson because he was a transfer. So the west coast scouts didn't really know who he was coming into the year too. Too much other than kind of doing summer visits. And he had a time at Florida State that maybe didn't go as well as his talent could indicate. But he's a guy that through Oregon offense trusted quite a bit. Dante Moore trust quite a bit on the perimeter as well too. And really good feedback teams on him as well. He's had a long season at Oregon and I said hey, you should want to come to the Shrine bowl and still practice. He said absolutely. He wants to kind of compete with our great DB room alongside our great receivers and solidify himself as one of the better senior receivers in this draft class. So no doubt he was trusted. Oregon in a loaded receiver room and again for a guy that transferred, he's got Southeast scouts that know who he is and like the film from his time at Florida State, he's got west coast guys like the film as well. And I think when he leaves the shrine bowl, those 25, 26 GMs that are here will like him too.
- [47:42]
B
I'm glad you mentioned Jack Andre, but I Mean this entire tight end class overall in this draft is pretty deep and I think that's reflected on your roster. You know, guys like Jaren Canik from Oklahoma who I you know, we're talking about day three but with what he brings on special teams and what he brings as a sub package player like he's going to play in the league for a long time hopefully. Riley Nowakowski, Indiana national champion, we see him there. To me, tight end is one of the deepest positions this year. What do you think about this position and who are guys that are going to shine?
- [48:19]
C
Yeah, it was easily the hardest position for us to decide kind of where the tier line was and there were guys that are coming to the Shrine bowl. Some guys that we you know are not playing any all star games. Guys like Eli Stowers who's from Denton, Texas hoping to have him come to the Shine bowl too. But I think he he kind of viewed no all star game is the best path for him. But all of our guys I'm really excited about for all different reasons. Jared Koenig is a guy that's a first year tight end. Played some H back for Oklahoma, was a big part of their offense as a receiver despite being the first year doing it. He's going to test well at that position. I know some teams are excited to see him doing some H back stuff at the Shrine bowl as well too. Bauer Sharp again Oklahoma was a great player. There goes to lsu. Offense isn't a great fit for him. The NFL team drill that with Bauer Sharp brings Seydou Traore is going to be an international pathway program player at NFL team. See him as kind of a bonus practice squad guy if need be but he's going to test really well at the at the triangle with zebra data that we have tracking as well as the NFL combine. One guy you didn't mention, I think two guys is Dallin Bentley and Eli Reardon from Utah Notre Dame respectfully I think those two guys are the two that have more top hundred grades than NFL teams maybe people think right now and even a strong tight end class those are two guys in very different ways. Bentley more of that move tight end rare than that traditional wide NFL teams like a lot of but you nailed it Dana across the board again. I'd be shocked if all of our tight ends not only were drafted but all in the top five rounds and I think NFL team to this tight end class is very very deep.
- [49:39]
D
I really love the cross section that you got of quarterbacks because I just think There's a different reason to be interested in all of these guys like Kade Klubnick I think would obviously be the major headliner to somebody that follows the draft. But on down the line from what Haynes King did for Georgia Tech, Mark Gronowski at Iowa, Baron Morton probably looking for a chance to put a better impression on tape after his exit from the playoffs. Just there's, there's a lot of quarterbacks that are interesting for a lot of different reasons. What, what's your thought on them? And also I assume a game like this sells itself. But what, what are those conversations like when you're, when you're trying to get a quarterback to, to come show off in Frisco?
- [50:21]
C
Yeah, I love talking to quarterbacks because they always are really thoughtful about what this event week's going to look like for them and what matters. Right. They ask great questions. And I think for, for Cade Klubnick it's about reminding NFL teams why he was a first overall pick projected guy coming in the year for some people or at least a top two round guy for NFL teams. And I'm sure as you guys will know, this quarterback class is searching for that QB3 in this year's class. And I think Cade will leave the Shrine bowl having a good argument for it as well too because again these guys, I always tell people these guys don't get worse, situations change. Maybe a bad season, but he's not a lesser player because of a season that happened this year as well. I think Kate actually, actually had a pretty tough season as well and played tough, I should say. And the way he, he performed throughout the kind of adversity of the season but beyond him, Mark Gronowski and Haynes King both give me kind of the sense of a little bit what Brock Purdy offered when he talked to NFL teams. I think a lot of things will tell you is that Brock was a guy that if he was going to be your third quarterback, he was going to get your team ready for game week and be a great guy in that room. If he was the backup, he'll help your starter get ready. But if he had to play a couple snaps, he'd be ready. If he's your starter, it's not going to be too big for him. Both Haynes King and Mark Gronowski. Gronowski started 40 plus games in college. Haynes King, you know, was, I think he won a couple awards this year as a leader and a quarterback. Like those two guys are going to be great in any quarterback from any role, but they are not Going to be scared at the moment as well too. And they've been training here in Frisco. I saw him for the other day. They both look outstanding. One guy you didn't mention who I know a lot of NFL teams are really excited about is Joe Fagnano from UConn. He's one of the four or five guys on this roster that we knew about, we liked but again I'm getting directors calling me, hey, is this guy from UConn on your radar? And you know he's a six year player at UConn. He had injury history. It's why he's kind of a sixth year player at UConn. It's because he got banged up across his time at Maine and then at UConn. But reminds a lot of NFL teams of Aiden O' Connell and in my opinion one of the best if not the best play progress maybe outside of Frano Mendoza play progressor in this entire draft class. That's really his secret power as well too. So I expect not only Cade Baron Morton Haynes King, Mark Kranowski, fact not all to be drafted by the NFL. Teams will see these guys as quality backups they can trust and guys that can start from them if they need be as well. All those guys should have a great chance to improve at the Shrine bowl this week.
- [52:31]
B
It's a good shout because watching Skyler Bell, the receiver from UConn who is just fantastic, you can't help but also notice the quarterback. But okay, last one. For me you think about last year and Craig Woodson and what he's doing for the Patriots this year and you know, Crosby Merritt, what he did for the Commanders this year as a rookie who's going to be maybe one or two guys that are going to be probably day three picks but come in and help their team from day one. And obviously I know it's you know, opportunity dependent and you know, have to land in the right place, but who are a few of the day three players this year that you think could make a pretty immediate impact with where they end up next year?
- [53:15]
C
Yeah, I'll say my pick for this year is Jaquori Krosky Merritt because that's a tough ask. I used to get the question of who's this year's Brock Purdy. I think people have kind of realized that Brock's going to be a one of one but Crosby Merritt may be the same but for Crosby Merritt I'll say Chris Hilton of LSU is a guy that myself NFL team's been following for Many years at lsu. So much so that even after a season of just what, 10, 11 catches, got a first wave combine invite. No doubt NFL teams want to see him at the combine and in Indianapolis. If you told me the overrunner was 4.30, I'm taking the under like he's going to fly at the combine. But he didn't get a chance to showcase his ability as a receiver this year at LSU's offense because they had a lot of guys and just didn't work out for him in that offense. But I think he's going to come to the Shrine bowl and remind NFL teams why they were so bullish the last couple years on him. So again, unlike Cross Merritt, he played this season. But I think for Chris Hilton, the draft process is going to really define who is the prospect. And I think he'll go before the seventh round like cross game Merritt did, but could have a similar like impact where a team gets this guy in the sixth, seventh round. And by week one of NFL training camp, he's projected to be, you know, in the rotation. And then for Craig Woodson, I'll go to DB as well and a guy who's kind of a DB linebacker hybrid. One of these guys, we'll see a couple different spots. Cole Wisniewski of Texas Tech had a great college career at North Dakota State where he played linebacker. Then he played safety, goes to Texas Tech, defense fits in nicely, benefited greatly. Hilti can tell you from an awesome pass rush in that defense where he can kind of be a little more free safety and move around a little bit, but truly a versatile player. He's going to test well and showcase. He has that range. But I think he might be a guy that will still end up being an early day three pick like Clay, Greg woods and maybe a late day two guy. But I think he'll an NFL defense right away and be kind of this linebacker safety play some nickel matchup as well too and be a real chess piece for a defense right away as a rookie as well. So those are my two picks, I think for the Crosby Martin Craig Woodson Award. We'll give it to Chris Hilton and Cole was newski before the event.
- [55:05]
B
Love it.
- [55:06]
D
Let the let the record show that y' all are bringing up the LSU players, not me. But since we're talking about it, Xavian Thomas, who will also, who's also on your roster. He is a player. So LSU a lot more talent than their record might indicate. Last one for me, Eric, before we get you out of here. I know you're busy and that's, that's my question, really. Like I alluded to at the beginning, I mean, it is a process putting this together and I'm sure the transfer portal doesn't help with that as guys decide if they're going to pursue eligibility or stay in school. And you're juggling if guys from the national championship game are going to make it down and what they're going to do. When does this week? I assume it never slows down, but does it get to a point of, of better manageability at any point this week? And when does that happen?
- [55:53]
C
You know, hey, it's, it's a lot going on. I love it. I joke and I joke, but I mean, when I say is that I got a chance to work with and help 130 players every year navigate the draft process, I joke that I get 130 clients if I'm an agent every year as well too. And I still talk to many players from my first round ball all the time, too. So we, it's stressful. It's a lot. But like, these guys come to the Shrine bowl, they see that, they're nervous, they're excited, all these kind of emotions too. And I get to play this really cool role of being kind of the doorway to the NFL for these guys. So as stressful as it gets sometimes, I'm very thankful to have NFL personnel relying on us at the Shrine bowl to kind of help them in the draft process, help these players. I would say the coolest part when things kind of slow down is in the back end of the week for us when, you know, practice, our Monday practice is going to be a walkthrough. And really Monday and Tuesday, these players will relax a little bit, feel more comfortable, feel more confident, but also get a chance to meet our patients, our patient ambassadors from around the country for Shiners Children's. You know, a lot of these players don't always appreciate before the event, during the event, that just their presence in being here and the attention that it draws from media like you guys or fans that come to the game with their families really does so much good work. Not just for raising money and awareness for Shriners Children's, but really empowering these patients all around the country, country to say, like, that's my game. I'm a football fan. I'm watching it from my home or a hospital bed or whatever else and saying, hey, like, these players are representing me out there. These players got a chance to relax a little bit and see that it just Kind of brings this moment full circle that this is an All Star Game. These guys are being celebrated for their college career. It's not just a job interview, but a chance to reflect and appreciate what they've gone through in college, what their success means in being here and how they can really be celebrated a little bit too. So it's always fun the back end of the week when these guys are, are Lucier, they know me, we're joking around, whatever else. But they also see that, hey, the Shrine bowl is for a purpose bigger than just them or any of us as well too. And they kind of realize that their, their presence and their ability as players is going to have a big impact beyond the football field too. So that's always the best part and kind of how it becomes full circle for us.
- [57:44]
D
It's going to be a fun week and a very rewarding one for a lot of different reasons, I'm sure. Eric, we really appreciate the time, man, and have, have a great one. I hope it, I hope it goes fantastic and we'll talk to you soon.
- [57:56]
C
Appreciate you guys. Thank you.
- [57:57]
B
See you in a few days. See you.
- [57:58]
C
Yes, sir.
- [57:59]
D
All right, that's all we got for today. Thanks again to Eric Galco for jumping on with us. We will be back next week talking Senior bowl as the All Star game circuit continues, plus whatever else jumps up. Until then, we appreciate it so much. We'll talk to you all next time. Need a calmer reset after the holidays? Meet Pura's well Being Collection Premium fragrances designed to restore your sense of place in the home and on the go. Feel grounded, feel good. Find the mood you need right now@pura.com moods if you're the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, you know having a.
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D
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B
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D
They accept Discover at Renaissance fairs?
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B
Yeah, they do here. Discover is accepted at the places I love to shop.
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D
Geth with the times. With the times.
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B
You're playing the loot.
- [59:34]
C
Yeah.
- [59:35]
B
And it sounds pretty good, right?
- [59:36]
D
Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide based on.
- [59:41]
B
The February 2025 Nielsen report.