The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 (April 3, 2026)

Coaching in College Before NIL, NFL Draft Analysis, and Basketball Insights

Episode Theme Overview

This hour of The Herd dives into the transformation of college coaching and recruiting in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era, provides a robust discussion of 2026 NFL Draft prospects with guest Daniel Jeremiah, and delivers takes on NBA and college basketball storylines. Rachel Nichols co-hosts, sharing inside-the-industry perspectives and leading the sports news rundown.

1. College Coaching & Recruiting: Pre- and Post-NIL

• Main Point: Colin describes how NIL has fundamentally changed college recruiting, liberating coaches from the “groveling” process and making relationships with recruits more transactional and efficient.

• Colin’s Take:

  "The thing that always turned me off about college coaching pre-NIL was this GROSS groveling to 16 and 17 year old kids... Now the relationship, it’s transactional... Here’s what we can offer. You interested?"
  (01:08)

• Dusty May (via clip):

  "..recruiting has definitely been streamlined and it’s much more efficient... used to recruit guys for three years and spend 8200 man hours away from our families... now this could have been just a check instead of 400 hours pursuing you."
  (02:38)

• Key Insight: NIL empowers coaches to approach recruiting more like business transactions, which many (including Colin and Dusty May) believe is healthier for both coaches and players.

2. NFL Draft Deep Dive with Daniel Jeremiah

(Starts around 04:00)

A. Edge Rusher Debate: David Bailey vs. Arvell Reese

• Bailey vs. Reese:

  • Bailey is seen as more polished and “plug-and-play”; Reese has more raw upside but is less positionally defined.

  • Daniel Jeremiah:

    "I've seen [Bailey] rush, he’s polished, he’s got a plan and I’m not sacrificing any of the athleticism. He’s got big time, big time juice."
    (05:00)

  • Who’s the safer pick?
    Daniel: "For me, I would take Bailey… But I could see [the Jets at] 27 going with Reese for ceiling if they’re not competing in 26."
    (04:16-05:06)

B. Fernando Mendoza Pro Day

• Colin notes Mendoza’s size increase and toughness:
  • "He looked bigger in a T-shirt and shorts than he did in pads... packed on 15 pounds."
• Daniel’s take:

  "First thing you notice is just how big he is… his lower half is enormous... He’s big, strong, powerful."
  (05:41)
  "At pro day, you learn more from how he interacts with teammates and coaches… You can tell he’s got a personality that’s endearing. Those are things you notice."
  (05:41)

C. Drafting by Traits vs. Production (Reuben Bain Discussion)

• If a player lacks measurables but produces:
  • Daniel:

    "The Ravens… capitalize off other people overthinking this thing. Ed Reed wasn’t the biggest guy… Ray Lewis wasn’t a 6’3 linebacker… they’re just great players."
    (07:08)
    "You can't be below the line at everything… Bain clearly [has production] going for him."
    (07:50)

D. Safety Caleb Downs Draft Stock Drop

• Colin’s question: Why is Caleb Downs, a standout last year, now mocked in the 12 range?
• Daniel’s analysis:

  "He’s a really good player but just not in the Derwin James or Kyle Hamilton tier… not a complete package, not as many splash plays. Sometimes the position isn’t valued as highly as it should be."
  (09:21)

E. Quarterback Ty Simpson: First-Round Material?

• Colin’s observation:

  • Several hyped QBs (Klubnik, Nussmeier, Arch Manning) didn’t deliver; teams shouldn’t overpay in future QB bidding wars if Ty Simpson is “in the ballpark.”

• Daniel’s prediction:

  "The team I keep coming back to is Arizona... [They may take] Ty Simpson at 34 or move up bottom of the first to get that extra contract year. Rams could be in play due to connections, but probably not as a first-rounder."
  (11:48)

  • Also notes that previous highly drafted QBs have mostly delivered, so teams might prefer to wait for next year’s deeper class.

F. The Jalen Hurts/Eagles Story – Organizational Politics

• Colin and Rachel speculate the Eagles purposely leaked a “Jalen Hurts” tension story to spread accountability if the team struggles:
  • Daniel’s take:

    "When there’s that many people talking... maybe apply a little bit of pressure on Jalen. My thing: they need to use his legs more... biggest problem is O-line injuries. Wouldn’t be surprised if they double-dip on O-line in the draft."
    (13:40)

3. Inside Reporting: Sourcing and Off-the-Record Dynamics

• Colin asks Rachel Nichols about the nuances of sourcing and publishing inside information:

  • Rachel:

    "I like to clarify. You want to maintain those relationships. Also depends on your role… Beat reporters are expected to quote; as analysts, info helps us speak intelligently on TV."
    (16:35)

  • Both stress real reporting (not just studio takes) and note that sources often prefer to talk rather than text sensitive info.

4. NBA & NFL News with Rachel Nichols

(Starts around 20:30)

A. Caleb Williams' Second-Year Leap

• Bears’ Coach Ben Johnson:
  • Wants Caleb to up completion percentage to 70% (was 58% last year), blend off-script ability with more pocket, on-script throws.
  • Colin:

    "[Caleb] is the best kind of young quarterback. The stuff to work on is just repetition… You can't make a guy bigger or faster. You can improve footwork and accuracy."
    (21:27)

B. Detroit Lions: Searching for “Saltiness”

• Dan Campbell on team’s edge lost after players got paid:
  • Colin:

    "Part of being salty is youth and not winning… I think the big issue, Rachel, Ben Johnson is one of one. Sometimes you lose a great employee and can’t replace them."
    (24:54)

C. NBA Trade Rumors: Steph Curry’s Ideal Running Mate

• Warriors almost traded for Kawhi; pursuit of Giannis will heat up again.
• Best fit for Steph:

  • Colin:

    "Giannis… what Steph is great at, Giannis isn’t. Steph outside, Giannis inside… Steph is actually pretty good off-ball… that one makes sense."
    (25:54)

  • Rachel:

    "I had a long one-on-one with Giannis… situation is getting dicier. Warriors going to go after him again hard." (27:15)

5. College Hoops: Tommy Lloyd’s Stay at Arizona

• Tommy Lloyd declines North Carolina pursuit, stays at Arizona (new 5-year deal)
  • Colin:

    "Don’t chase money, chase management. There’s a sea of money for talented people, not a sea of great athletic directors, relationships, and boosters. Tucson’s a wonderful place to spend your career."
    (27:15+ & throughout 29:00–35:30)

• Stresses the value of fit and regional recruiting expertise over chasing “blue blood” programs.

6. Quarterbacks: Traits that Fail (Mendoza vs. Simpson)

• Colin on Mendoza:

  "He's a house—6’5, 238. Tall, thick, wins from the pocket, can move if he has to. Checks every single box. Ball placement is unbelievable."
  (36:30–38:15)

  • Contrasts with QBs whose flaws don’t age well (size, accuracy, lack of starts).
• Ty Simpson:

  • "Has 15 starts—not enough. Not huge. In NFL history, that’s a whiff unless you sit for 2 years."
    (39:28)

  • Daniel reaffirms Arizona as likely landing spot, unless teams wait for deeper 2027 class.
    (39:56)

7. Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Colin on Old-School Recruiting:

  "Writing 42 letters a month—like you're some GI sending mail back to loved ones. It's gross."
  (01:10)

• Rachel on Insider Reporting:

  "You want to make sure you maintain [long-term sources]. It’s a credit to the people who do it."
  (16:35–17:20)

• Daniel Jeremiah:

  "You can't be below the line at everything, Colin. You can't lack the athleticism AND the production. You got to have something going for you."
  (07:50)

8. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:08 – College recruiting pre- vs. post-NIL
• 04:16 – NFL Draft: Edge debate (Bailey vs. Reese)
• 05:41 – Fernando Mendoza’s Pro Day
• 07:08 – Drafting by measurables vs. production (Bain/Ed Reed)
• 09:21 – Caleb Downs’ shifting draft stock
• 11:48 – Ty Simpson: First-round? Arizona's interest
• 13:40 – Jalen Hurts/Eagles leadership leak
• 16:35 – Rachel Nichols on insider reporting, relationships
• 20:30 – Herdline News: Caleb Williams, Lions, NBA rumors
• 27:15 – Tommy Lloyd stays at Arizona; job fit in college sports
• 36:30 – Colin on what traits fail for NFL QBs
• 39:56 – Ty Simpson draft prediction recap

Conclusion

Hour 2 of The Herd on April 3, 2026, offers a dynamic blend of football draft analysis, coaching philosophy, and inside-the-business reporting with a dash of NBA and college hoops. Colin, Daniel Jeremiah, and Rachel Nichols deliver candid insights, arguing that modern sports—pro and college—require sharper business acumen and a deeper sense of fit, both for players and coaches. The show’s unscripted tone and willingness to go behind the headlines give listeners—and readers—a true “inside baseball” vantage point.