Episode Summary: Building the Beast – Shrine Bowl Preview and CFP National Championship Game Takeaways

Podcast: The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
Hosts: Dave Helman (D), Dane Brugler (B)
Special Guest: Eric Galko, Director of Football Operations for the East-West Shrine Bowl (C)
Date: January 21, 2026

Overview

This episode dives deep into two major topics:

• A detailed breakdown of the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, as the Indiana Hoosiers claimed an undefeated season and their first title by beating the Miami Hurricanes.
• A comprehensive preview of the East-West Shrine Bowl, including key prospects, position group strengths, and the event’s evolution, capped by an extensive interview with Eric Galko.

The hosts, Dave Helman and Dane Brugler, blend sharp scouting analysis, post-game perspectives, and NFL Draft implications while maintaining their fan-friendly, conversational tone.

1. CFP National Championship Game Recap

(02:00 – 15:56)

Indiana’s Historic Victory

• Indiana completes a 16-0 perfect season, defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in a classic finish.
• Miami’s defense gave them a fighting chance all postseason and nearly pulled off a victory in the final minutes.

Notable Quote:
Dave: “If football season's going to end, at least it ends on a high note. ...What else could you want from a national championship game than what we got on Monday night? ...What a way to cap this season off.” (02:00)

Dane: “This might be the most impressive national championship team that I've seen in my lifetime. ...To do what they did over the last two years...as a collective...to knock off Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, and Miami...it's as impressive as we've seen a performance from a team.” (04:01)

Standout Players and Key Moments

• Fernando Mendoza (Indiana QB):
  • Faced relentless pressure and still delivered, confirming his status as the likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
  • Showed toughness, athleticism, and big-game poise.
  • Legendary 4th-and-5 scramble play in the late 4th quarter was a defining moment:
    Dane: “That moment, I was like, get this guy on my team. What a fricking warrior. Are you kidding me?” (07:39)
• Indiana WRs:
  • Omar Cooper: Underappreciated, deserves more first-round love.
  • Charlie Becker: Not draft eligible but played clutch through critical stretches.
• Miami Defense:
  • Pass rush dominated, especially Ruben Bane (EDGE), Akeem Mezador (DL), and Ahmad Moten (DT).
  • D’Angelo Ponds (CB): “Targeted six times...gave up one catch for six yards, three PBU, zero flags...Ponds is a baller.” (09:34)(B)
  • Physical, aggressive play from Miami’s entire unit.

Draft Implications & Quarterback Discourse

• Consensus: Mendoza will be the first pick—likely by the Las Vegas Raiders—or someone else trading up.
• Comparison points with previous top picks:
  • Not “generational,” but “deserving.”
  • Argument that being a consistent top-15 NFL QB makes the No. 1 selection rational.

Notable Quote:
Dane: "People get so hung up looking for Patrick Mahomes...but this game cemented my opinion that this guy [Mendoza] is...very deserving of being the number one overall pick." (13:24)

Miami’s Carson Beck (QB)

• Played a clean game but threw a late, costly interception.
• Productive college career (37-6 as a starter), but turnover-prone in losses may cap his NFL upside to "backup/spot starter."

2. NFL Draft & 2026 Outlook

(26:11 – 31:27)

• Non-Draft Eligible Standouts:
  • Malachi Tony (true freshman, Miami WR): Explosive season, not NFL-eligible yet.
  • Mark Fletcher (Miami RB): May return to school, but NFL-style power.
• Transfer Portal Shakes Up Big Programs:
  • Indiana reloads with TCU QB Josh Hoover and MSU WR Nick Marsh.
  • Texas, Ohio State, LSU among 2026 preseason favorites.

Notable Quote:
Dave: "Transfer portal and just the way things work now, Indiana was able to reload in a lot of key positions...I think there's a lot of, a lot of unknown." (29:04)

3. Shrine Bowl Preview with Eric Galko (Director of Football Operations)

(36:26 – 57:56)

Shrine Bowl Evolution & Experience

• Eric marks his fifth year as director, has revitalized the event with better facilities (Dallas Cowboys’ facility), expanded resources, and new initiatives (throwing session/pro day, analytics competition).
• Focus: Player-first approach, ensuring opportunities to shine in different roles and maximizing scouting exposure.
• Shrine Bowl producing high-level NFL talent, e.g., Brock Purdy, Tyquan Thornton.

Notable Quote:
Eric Galko: “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.” (39:33)

2026 Prospects & Practice Standouts

• Versatile Prospects:
  • Harold Perkins (LSU): Will play both off-ball linebacker and edge; aims to prove he’s a “both,” not a tweener.
  • Brian Parker (Duke): College OT expected to work at center/guard at the Bowl.
• Key Position Groups:
  • Edge/D-line loaded. Malachi Lawrence (UCF EDGE) is a name to watch as a possible big riser.
  • Daryl Jackson (DT), Demonte Capehart (DT), Jack Endries (TE), Demon Claiborne (RB): Potential early-round picks.

Notable Quote:
Eric: "Online D line is always everyone's favorite. ...I think as across this whole draft class...edge rusher especially are going to be loaded." (43:24)

• Receivers & Tight Ends:

  • Malik Benson (Oregon), Chris Hilton (LSU): Under-discussed, could shine.
  • Deep tight end class: Jack Endries, Jared Canik (Oklahoma), Riley Nowakowski (Indiana), and others expected to draw NFL attention.

• Quarterbacks:

  • Cade Klubnik (Clemson): Chance to reassert his draft stock.
  • Mark Gronowski (Iowa), Haynes King (Georgia Tech): “Brock Purdy” types who can rise as dependable backups or more.
  • Joe Fagnano (UConn): Sleeper with strong processing, “play progressor” skills.

Day Three Standouts & Immediate Impact Prospects

• Chris Hilton (LSU WR): Blazing speed (expected to run 4.3 40yd dash), little production due to crowded LSU offense, set to impress in Shrine Bowl/Combine.
• Cole Wisniewski (Texas Tech/NDSU): Hybrid DB/LB, versatile, projects as early contributor in multiple NFL alignments.

Notable Quote:
Eric: “Chris Hilton of LSU...if you told me the over/under was 4.30 [in the 40-yard dash], I'm taking the under. He's going to fly at the combine." (53:14)

The Human Side of the Shrine Bowl

• Late in the week, players meet Shriners Children's patient ambassadors—turning the event into more than just a job interview, but a celebration of their college careers and the cause.

Notable Quote:
Eric: “Their presence 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.” (55:53)

Memorable Quotes (w/ Timestamps)

• On Mendoza as No. 1 Pick:
  • Dane: “Mendoza is going to be the number one pick. Next question.” (12:24)
• On D’Angelo Ponds (Miami CB):
  • Dane: "I've never used the word 'baller' in a scouting report...but Ponds is a baller.” (09:34)
• On the Shrine Bowl Atmosphere:
  • Eric: “We’ve never had a player miss the NFL combine testing because of an injury at the Shrine Bowl. All of our guys leave healthy.” (39:33)
• On Key Prospects:
  • Eric: “Harold Perkins...may leave the Shrine Bowl week and the NFL combine being: We can get Harold Perkins in the top 50, we gotta go do that.” (41:35)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• 02:00 – National Championship Game Recap, Indiana’s victory
• 07:07 – Game-defining 4th-and-5 play; Mendoza’s clutch performances
• 09:34 – Miami defensive standout D’Angelo Ponds, “baller” status
• 12:24 – “Mendoza is going to be the number one pick”
• 21:29 – Miami’s Carson Beck, turnovers in critical moments
• 26:11 – Draft eligibility and future college football landscape
• 36:26 – Shrine Bowl Preview begins, Eric Galko interview
• 43:24 – Shrine Bowl’s strongest positional groups, D-line focus
• 46:39 – Evaluating Shrine Bowl WR/TE groups, prospects to watch
• 50:20 – Shrine Bowl QBs, Cade Klubnik’s chance to rise
• 53:14 – Under-the-radar prospects: Chris Hilton (LSU), Cole Wisniewski (Texas Tech)
• 55:53 – Behind the scenes of organizing the Shrine Bowl

Final Thoughts

This episode is a goldmine for NFL draftniks and college football diehards. It expertly balances a championship game post-mortem—including scouting what NFL teams care about most—with a deep dive on the East-West Shrine Bowl’s role in shaping the next tier of NFL hopefuls. If you want authoritative analysis with a dash of the human touch, it’s a can’t-miss listen.