Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of The Herd (Released April 17, 2025)
Overview In the "Best of The Herd" episode, host Colin Cowherd delves into a variety of compelling sports topics, including the influence of athletes beyond their sports, transfer sagas in college football, and a comprehensive mock NFL draft analysis. The episode features insightful discussions, expert opinions, and notable guest contributions, providing listeners with a deep dive into current sports narratives.
1. Time Magazine's Influence List and Caitlin Clark
Discussion Highlights: Colin Cowherd begins the episode by addressing Time magazine's recent list of the 100 most influential people in America. Notably absent from the list is WNBA star Caitlin Clark, despite her significant impact on the league.
Key Points:
- Caitlin Clark’s Impact: Clark has transformed the WNBA financially, leading to the most-watched season in 24 years, highest attendance in 22 years, and record-breaking digital consumption and merchandise sales.
- Comparative Influence: Colin emphasizes that Clark's influence rivals that of iconic athletes like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods in their respective sports.
Notable Quotes:
- Colin Cowherd [03:25]: "Caitlin Clark changed the financial structure of the league. She's not a team sport superstar artist yet, but she's easily the most influential athlete in a team sport since Michael Jordan."
- Jordan Schultz [04:10]: "Time magazine used the word influential. They gave her athlete of the year in America in December, and by April, she's less influential than Brianna Stewart? That doesn't make sense."
Insights: The discussion underscores the disparity in recognition between male and female athletes in team sports, highlighting Clark's role in elevating the WNBA's visibility and financial health.
2. Jacob Dart’s Transfer from Tennessee to UCLA
Discussion Highlights: The conversation shifts to the potential transfer of Tennessee quarterback Jacob Dart to UCLA amidst the evolving landscape of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals.
Key Points:
- Transfer Motivation: Tennessee cites financial disagreements, while Dart's family argues it’s about the fit and athletic environment.
- UCLA’s Proposition: UCLA is actively investing in NIL, making it an attractive destination for Dart, despite traditionally being a basketball-centric school.
- Implications for Tennessee: Losing a potential high draft pick could impact Tennessee’s competitiveness in the SEC.
Notable Quotes:
- Colin Cowherd [07:45]: "I do not think money should drive decisions when you're a great young athlete. I would stay at Duke or Carolina over, go to the G League over $100,000."
- Colin Cowherd [10:30]: "Tennessee is screwed. They have the backup quarterback left last year and now they have a redshirt freshman with zero experience."
Insights: This segment highlights the complexities of athlete transfers in the era of NIL, emphasizing the balance between financial incentives and athletic fit within collegiate programs.
3. Colin Cowherd’s Mock NFL Draft Analysis
Discussion Highlights: Colin presents his annual mock NFL draft, outlining his top 15 picks if he were the general manager of the respective teams. He discusses each team's needs based on their current rosters and recent free agency moves.
Key Points:
- Top Picks:
- 1. Tennessee Titans: Selects Cam Ward to strengthen their quarterback position.
- 2. Cleveland Browns: Chooses Travis Hunter, valuing his versatility as both a receiver and defensive asset.
- 3. New York Giants: Opts for Shador Sanders to bolster their defensive line.
- 6. Oakland Raiders: Drafts Ashton Genty, recognizing his potential to enhance the running game under Pete Carroll’s offensive system.
- Strategic Moves: Emphasizes the importance of drafting players who can start immediately and make an instant impact, even if the overall draft quality is perceived as low.
Notable Quotes:
- Colin Cowherd [16:34]: "This isn't my mock draft. If I was the GM, this is what I do. So they'll probably be trades. Everybody wants to trade down."
- Colin Cowherd [25:31]: "I think Ashton Genty is being slept on. He is a superstar. He's a day one 1500-yard guy."
Insights: Colin’s mock draft reflects a focus on immediate team needs and potential high-impact players, even within a draft class that may not be universally acclaimed. His selections showcase a blend of strategic team-building and personal assessment of player potential.
4. Interaction with Brian Baldinger on the Mock Draft
Discussion Highlights: Colin engages in a dynamic discussion with NFL analyst Brian Baldinger, dissecting the merits and potential pitfalls of the mock draft selections.
Key Points:
- Mason Graham vs. Shador Sanders: Brian defends Mason Graham’s technical prowess, comparing him to Leonard Williams, while Colin advocates for Shador Sanders’ immediate impact.
- Ashton Genty’s Potential: Brian supports Colin’s choice of Genty, highlighting his agility and fit within Pete Carroll’s offense.
- Wil Campbell as Miami’s Pick: Brian contests Colin’s ranking of Will Campbell, believing he deserves a higher selection due to his dominance as a left tackle.
Notable Quotes:
- Brian Baldinger [35:38]: "He's a great technician. Low pad level wins. He stacks and sheds, holds his ground."
- Colin Cowherd [41:27]: "Sometimes the answer's right in front of you. Just think about Shador Sanders if you pass on him."
Insights: The dialogue between Colin and Brian brings depth to the mock draft analysis, offering diverse perspectives on player evaluations and team strategies. Their exchange highlights the subjective nature of draft predictions and the multifaceted criteria used in player assessments.
5. Closing Remarks and Additional Segments
Discussion Highlights: Towards the end of the episode, Colin briefly touches on concerns regarding another quarterback, Jackson Dart, and wraps up the mock draft discussion with final thoughts.
Key Points:
- Jackson Dart’s NFL Potential: Colin expresses skepticism about Dart’s readiness for the NFL, comparing his temperament to Zach Wilson’s.
- Final Thoughts on Draft: Emphasizes the importance of not overcomplicating evaluations and trusting straightforward assessments of player abilities.
Notable Quotes:
- Colin Cowherd [46:17]: "I like Jalen Milro. So much about Jalen. Jalen's too mechanical to be a star quarterback in the NFL."
- Brian Baldinger [49:35]: "Chip Kelly's the offensive coordinator with the Raiders. Genty is the perfect chess piece to go play with right now."
Insights: Colin concludes the draft discussion by urging a balance between analytical depth and intuitive judgment, advocating for selections based on clear player strengths and team needs.
Conclusion
The "Best of The Herd" episode offers an engaging exploration of influential athletes, the evolving dynamics of college football transfers, and strategic insights into the NFL draft process. Through thoughtful analysis and expert collaboration, Colin Cowherd provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of current sports trends and their broader implications.
Notable Quotes Summary:
- Colin Cowherd [03:25]: "Caitlin Clark changed the financial structure of the league. She's not a team sport superstar athlete yet, but she's easily the most influential athlete in a team sport since Michael Jordan."
- Colin Cowherd [07:45]: "I do not think money should drive decisions when you're a great young athlete."
- Brian Baldinger [35:38]: "He's a great technician. Low pad level wins. He stacks and sheds, holds his ground."
- Colin Cowherd [25:31]: "I think Ashton Genty is being slept on. He is a superstar. He's a day one 1500-yard guy."
Timestamp Reference: All quotes and significant points are referenced with corresponding timestamps from the transcript to provide context and verification of the discussed topics.