THE HERD with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3: Urban Meyer Joins The Herd

Date: September 18, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Colin Cowherd (with Jason McIntyre)
Guests: Urban Meyer (College Football Coach)

Overview

This episode spotlights a dynamic, football-centric conversation between Colin Cowherd and renowned college football coach Urban Meyer. They reflect on college football trends—player development, confidence, NIL and transfer portal realities—while connecting the conversation to NFL quarterback struggles, coaching rivalries, and rebuilding programs. The latter half of the episode pivots to NFL commentary, tackling topics like new quarterbacks, the future of Daniel Jones, and team outlooks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Urban Meyer Reminisces: Alex Smith, Aaron Rodgers & QB Confidence

[03:11–05:35]

• Meyer recalls his time at Utah: He shares a humorous anecdote about starting a “skinny” Alex Smith against Cal, who out-dueled Aaron Rodgers.
  • “Every time I see Aaron Rodgers, I remind him I’m one and oh against him. And Alex Smith beat him, and he gets a little upset, but we move on.” — Urban Meyer [03:27]
• On quarterback confidence: Coaches must help QBs find comfort and confidence. Meyer admits Chris Leak at Florida initially struggled and lost confidence because the system didn’t fit; once they adjusted, the team thrived.
  • “He lost some confidence our first year. But once he got going…he became a national champion. So…we had to adapt our system.” — Urban Meyer [04:49]

2. College Football in the NIL & Transfer Portal Era

[06:30–13:19]

• Shifting recruiting power:
  • Colin and Urban discuss how top west coast teams (USC, Oregon, Washington) now "buy players" out of region, especially line talent, through NIL—reshaping rosters with out-of-state talent.
  • “USC…they’re balanced. They’re punching you right in the face on both sides of the ball. This is a completely different looking team.” — Urban Meyer [07:35]
• Brian Kelly & coaching emotions:
  • They defend Brian Kelly after a feisty exchange with the media, explaining coaches’ post-game emotions.
  • “I wish I was that smart. I was too emotional… You leave the locker room, you’re pissed off…But he did the right thing. The next day he said, ‘Yeah, I gotta work, we gotta work together.’” — Urban Meyer [08:20–09:09]
• QB development in college vs. NFL:
  • Discussion about J.J. McCarthy: Meyer and Colin agree he was not a ready-made NFL starter, needing reps and adversity. In college, he was protected by a run-heavy offense and defense.
  • “I agreed with you that he never had to win a game. Every game…he managed the game…was going to be bumpy…But can he be that franchise guy? That remains to be seen.” — Urban Meyer [10:11–11:12]

3. Transfer Portal Resistance—Will Dabo Swinney Adapt?

[11:12–13:19]

• Comparison to Coach K's evolution with 'one-and-done':
  • Colin draws a parallel between Dabo’s reluctance toward the transfer portal and Mike Krzyzewski's initial resistance to the NBA ‘one-and-done’ era.
• Urban’s take:
  • He expects Dabo to adapt as the game demands it, already noticing slight shifts at Clemson. He highlights the ease of shoring up roster weaknesses now through paying for transfers, as opposed to the old days.
  • “You don’t wish them [players]. You pay for them.” — Urban Meyer [12:49]

4. Jim Harbaugh Rivalry—Personal Reflections

[16:42–20:26]

• Meyer on Harbaugh:
  • Respect for Harbaugh’s program-building acumen, but no close personal relationship; their competitiveness dominated.
  • “There was…tremendous respect…but right when he got to the Big Ten, it was like they were doing all this stuff…You just kind of like, wait a minute, is there substance here...But when pedal hit the metal, you have to go play.” — Urban Meyer [17:42]
  • No lingering animosity, just a professional rivalry:
  • “We get along fine…smile and hey, how’s the family doing. Wish you well and move on.” — Urban Meyer [18:48]
• Colin on coach rivalries:
  • “I just don’t expect the president of Apple and Microsoft to be best friends…You can’t ask Buckeye Wolverine guy to dine together.” — Colin Cowherd [18:59]

NFL Discussion Highlights

5. Drake Maye & Aaron Rodgers Admiration

[22:49–23:21]

• Rookie QB Drake Maye talks about modeling his game after Aaron Rodgers, down to studying his grip in eighth grade.
  • “I looked up Aaron Rodgers grip, and you know, I’ve had the grip ever since.” — Drake Maye [23:12]
• Colin lauds Rodgers’ mechanics:
  • “He throws the prettiest ball since Marino… Best back shoulder ball I’ve ever seen thrown.” — Colin Cowherd [23:21]

6. Raiders, Ashton Jeanty & Offensive Struggles

[24:19–26:02]

• The Raiders’ rookie running back Ashton Jeanty wants more touches but hasn’t capitalized yet.
  • “I don’t think you draft a guy like me to not give me carries and touches. I’m ready for the responsibility.” — Ashton Jeanty [24:35]
• Colin points out the Raiders’ overall lack of offensive weapons, transition issues with new coaches and systems, and predicts patience will pay off.

7. Carson Wentz: NFL Journeyman Debate

[26:28–29:24]

• Wentz reflects on his journey from starting QB to backup, emphasizing gratitude and perspective.
  • “It’s…just the perspective of not taking this for granted. You never know when your next chance is going to be in this league.” — Carson Wentz [27:04]
• Colin asserts Wentz is still talented, noting the support he’s received from top coaches (Andy Reid, Sean McVay, Kevin O’Connell).
  • “There’s a reason he keeps finding himself…A lot of these offensive guys like Carson Wentz. I like him. I think he’s got talent.” — Colin Cowherd [27:32]
• Jason (“J. Mac”) questions this, highlighting Wentz’s continual moves and lack of recent impact.

8. Colin’s Bold Take: Wentz > J.J. McCarthy (For Now)

[28:41–29:50]

• Colin stakes a controversial claim: “Carson Wentz is better than J.J. McCarthy today.” [28:42]
• J. Mac scoffs at the hot take, but Colin insists—citing poor recent performances by McCarthy.

9. Quarterback Development: Bagent, Maye & NFL Politics

[29:32–30:45]

• Colin argues that NFL teams sometimes avoid playing the QB who gives the best chance of winning due to politics, contracts, and confidence management.
  • “There’s a lot of politics in the NFL in big markets with who you play and who you don’t…You can’t lose Caleb’s confidence. You sit him, you could lose him.” — Colin Cowherd [29:54]

Closing Segment: Daniel Jones—Franchise Quarterback or Not?

[34:27–37:51]

• J. Mac wonders if Daniel Jones’ struggles might parallel Baker Mayfield’s rebound or if he’s simply not a “franchise savior.”
• Colin distinguishes between being a franchise “quarterback” and a “savior,” citing Daniel Jones’ lack of elite traits compared to other reclamation projects like Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield.
  • “Daniel Jones is a good athlete and throws a decent ball. He doesn’t have a wow trait.” — Colin Cowherd [36:19]
• Both discuss the importance of surrounding talent and context, noting the Colts’ strong supporting cast.
  • “Maybe Daniel Jones is a franchise quarterback, but he’s not a franchise savior—and there is a difference.” — Colin Cowherd [37:42]

Notable Quotes

• Urban Meyer: “You don’t wish [players into your program]. You pay for them.” [12:49]
• Colin Cowherd: “I just don’t expect the president of Apple and Microsoft to be best friends…It’s not real.” [18:59]
• Urban Meyer: “We get along fine…the times we were together, we shook hands, smiled and hey, how’s the family doing…” [18:48]
• Colin Cowherd on QBs: “There’s a lot of politics in the NFL in big markets with who you play and who you don’t play.” [29:54]
• Ashton Jeanty: “I’m ready for the responsibility… it’s going to start with me.” [24:35]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Urban Meyer on Alex Smith vs. Aaron Rodgers: [03:11–03:42]
• Quarterback confidence and adapting systems: [04:43–05:35]
• NIL, Transfer Portal & West Coast recruiting shift: [06:30–07:40]
• Brian Kelly/Media & Coach emotions: [08:20–09:16]
• J.J. McCarthy, NFL development hurdles: [10:11–11:12]
• Dabo Swinney and adjusting to portal/NIL: [11:12–13:19]
• Urban Meyer on the Harbaugh rivalry: [16:42–18:54]
• Drake Maye on Aaron Rodgers: [22:49–23:21]
• Raiders/Ashton Jeanty discussion: [24:19–26:02]
• Carson Wentz debate: [26:28–29:24]
• Hot take: Wentz currently better than McCarthy: [28:41–29:50]
• Daniel Jones vs. “franchise savior” narrative: [34:27–37:51]

Tone & Style

The conversation blends Urban Meyer’s thoughtful, coach-first candor with Colin Cowherd’s familiar mix of analytical rigor, hot takes, playful debate, and candid insight. Moments of nostalgia and humor are balanced with pointed commentary about the shifting realities of both college and professional football.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode offers a wide-ranging, energetic look at both college football's evolving landscape and NFL quarterback questions. Urban Meyer shines light on the hidden work coaches do to restore confidence and adapt to new eras (NIL, the transfer portal). Colin brings timely, sometimes controversial takes on NFL quarterback evaluation and team-building, while keeping the conversation engaging with memorable storytelling and signature analogies.

Expect stories from the past, clear-eyed analysis of today’s headlines, and heated debates about tomorrow’s stars—all delivered with the wit and honesty that define The Herd.