Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 featuring Joel Klatt

Release Date: August 5, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Joel Klatt
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

The third hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" features an in-depth discussion with guest Joel Klatt, focusing primarily on the evolving landscape of college football, the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies, and the current state of various NFL teams.

1. Expanding the College Football Playoff Landscape

Colin Cowherd and Joel Klatt delve into the shifting dynamics of college football playoff contenders. Traditionally, a select few teams were perennial favorites for the national championship, but this landscape has broadened significantly.

• Colin's Perspective:
  “The top nine. I think the coaches got it pretty right. Those top nine teams, things go the right way, they could easily play for or win the national championship.” ([04:05])

• Joel's Counterpoint:
  Joel argues that advancements like the transfer portal and NIL agreements have diluted team depths, allowing more teams to rise as legitimate contenders beyond the traditional powerhouses.

2. The Impact of NIL and the Transfer Portal

The discussion shifts to the profound effects of NIL and the transfer portal on college football's competitive balance.

• Joel Klatt:
  “I think the NIL has helped the sport by allowing talent to disperse rather than stockpile in a few programs.” ([05:43])

• Colin Cowherd:
  He acknowledges that the transfer portal has been a significant factor in expanding the pool of championship-caliber teams. Additionally, access to expanded playoffs has provided opportunities for teams like SMU, Indiana, Arizona State, and Boise State to compete at higher levels.

3. USC's Struggle and Recovery Post-NIL

USC serves as a case study for the challenges and eventual resilience faced by programs adapting to NIL regulations.

• Joel Klatt:
  “Lincoln Riley would be in big trouble without NIL. You can't ask boosters to pay $18 million for players.” ([08:36])

• Colin Cowherd:
  He critiques USC's initial handling of NIL, highlighting issues with identity and recruitment. However, he remains optimistic about their future, noting their top-tier recruiting rankings for the upcoming year.
  “Next year's recruiting rankings have USC at number one, number two in the country.” ([09:00])

4. Ohio State's Quarterback Situation and Team Dynamics

The conversation transitions to Ohio State's quarterback depth and the expectations placed on Ryan Day, especially with the addition of Arch Manning.

• Joel Klatt:
  Emphasizes the increased pressure on Ryan Day to perform, drawing parallels to past coaching pressures and the significance of Arch Manning's role.
  “There's some level of relaxed expectation because of that.” ([12:56])

• Colin Cowherd:
  Highlights the importance of a solid defense and outstanding receivers like Jeremiah Smith, who he believes could be one of the best in college football history.
  “If he just keeps working hard and developing, he's... a top five receiver in the history of football.” ([22:29])

5. Bo Nix vs. Jaden Daniels: A Tale of Two Quarterbacks

The duo compares quarterbacks Bo Nix and Jaden Daniels, discussing their performances and potential NFL futures.

• Colin Cowherd:
  Praises Bo Nix's statistics and his compatibility with Sean Payton's analytical approach, noting that Nix's performance metrics rival those of elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes.
  “Bo Nix's score was the very best since Patrick Mahomes.” ([36:59])

• Joel Klatt:
  Argues that while Jaden Daniels has garnered more attention, Bo Nix possesses the consistency and resilience needed for long-term success in the NFL.
  “Bo Nix has all the things you need to be successful in the NFL.” ([37:30])

6. NFL Team Spotlights

The podcast also touches on several NFL teams, analyzing their current standings and future prospects.

a. Buffalo Bills and James Cook Holdout

• Seth Wickersham introduces the topic, discussing James Cook's holdout and the Rams' signing of Kyron Williams.
  “James Cook is holding out because he's waiting for Kyron Williams to get signed.” ([25:07])

• Joel Klatt:
  Suggests that Cook may leverage his position to secure a more favorable contract, emphasizing his value to the Bills.
  “I think James Cook wants more, but I think they're both guys that I feel good about.” ([25:41])

b. Washington Commanders' Continuity

• Seth Wickersham:
  Highlights the importance of maintaining continuity with Jaden Daniels and offensive coordinator Cliff Kingsbury.
  “Continuity is huge in the NFL for all the elite teams.” ([29:36])

• Joel Klatt:
  Expresses confidence in Washington's coaching staff and quarterback performance, predicting a strong season ahead.
  “They have the better head coach and the better quarterback.” ([30:19])

c. Cincinnati Bengals' Rocky Start

• Seth Wickersham:
  Discusses the Bengals' underwhelming September performance, attributing it to Joe Burrow's injuries and offensive line struggles.
  “With Burrow's health and the offensive line, they've been a bad September team.” ([28:52])

• Joel Klatt:
  Agrees, pointing out that a lack of protection and consistent offensive performance has hindered their early-season success.
  “They haven't stepped up with capital and protected him with a great offensive line.” ([28:52])

7. Looking Ahead: Promising Players and Teams

The episode concludes with a focus on emerging talent and teams poised for success in the upcoming seasons.

• Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State):
  Colin lauds Smith as potentially one of the greatest receivers, comparing him to legends like Adrian Peterson.
  “He has a chance to be a top five receiver in the history of football.” ([22:04])

• Bo Nix (Bo Nix):
  Joel emphasizes Nix's readiness for the NFL, highlighting his physicality, mental toughness, and adaptability under various coaches.
  “Bo Nix played in a better division against better defensive coordinators.” ([37:27])

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd ([04:05]):
  “The top nine. I think the coaches got it pretty right. Those top nine teams, things go the right way, they could easily play for or win the national championship.”

• Joel Klatt ([08:36]):
  “If you couldn't beat Nick [Saban], well, we're going to flush out.”

• Colin Cowherd ([22:29]):
  “He has a chance to be a top five receiver in the history of football.”

• Joel Klatt ([37:30]):
  “Bo Nix had all the things you need to be successful in the NFL.”

Conclusion

In this insightful episode, Colin Cowherd and Joel Klatt provide a comprehensive analysis of the current and emerging trends in college and professional football. They explore how NIL and the transfer portal are reshaping competitive balances, assess the potential of standout players, and evaluate the strategies and performances of key NFL teams. The discussion offers valuable perspectives for fans looking to understand the evolving dynamics of the sport.

Note: This summary omits advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions between Colin Cowherd and Joel Klatt.