The McShay Show (The Ringer)

Episode: 10 Draft Prospects to Watch in Week 1 of College Football + Mini Mailbag

Air Date: August 29, 2025
Host: Todd (Mike) McShay
Guest/Co-host: Daniel Jeremiah

Episode Overview

In this bonus pre-Week 1 episode, Todd McShay and Daniel Jeremiah break down the 10 most intriguing NFL Draft prospects to watch during the opening slate of college football games. Their conversation delivers insider scouting insights, critical position battles, player development updates, and edges to monitor for draft enthusiasts and football fans. They also preview key matchups by position, discuss team-building in the portal era, and answer listener mailbag questions on transfer strategies, scouting processes, and dark-horse playoff contenders.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. The Show Goes Live & Special Announcements

[01:24 - 05:24]

• Live Show Announcement:
  McShay announces the first ever McShay Show live event, featuring Barstool’s Big Cat as special guest. The event will be in Chicago (Sept 10, Lincoln Hall).
• McShay Newsletter Promo:
  Reminder about premium newsletter access, preseason extravaganza, and the 50% subscriber discount through Sept 1.

2. Primary Prospects & Matchups to Watch in Week 1

2.1 LSU vs. Clemson: Nussmeier vs. Klubnik – The QB Watch

[05:24 – 11:08]

• Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) and Cade Klubnik (Clemson) receive top billing as McShay’s and Jeremiah's quarterbacks to watch.
  • Both impressed at the Manning Passing Academy with leadership qualities and athletic traits.
• McShay:
  “You talk about like IT, and like, who’s got the stuff. These two guys stood out above all the other great guys in terms of just you want to play for.” [07:49]
• Klubnik: Veteran team, returning offensive line, promising WRs (notably Antonio Williams – possible fringe first-rounder).
• Nussmeier: Playing on the road with some injury concerns (knee tendinitis), young WRs maturing.
• Jeremiah:
  “Who's going to take care of the football the most, who's going to make the plays that they need... and then who is going to have the, as you would say, the ponies to step up and make a throw when it's there?” [10:05]

2.2 TJ Parker (Clemson, EDGE)

[11:08 – 12:20]

• Parker is listed #3 on McShay’s must-watch prospects.
• Potential to be top edge rusher and top 10 pick if technical refinement matches his raw power.
• “If he takes it to another level this year, I legitimately think he could be the top edge rusher... maybe top five.” – McShay [11:39]

2.3 Caleb Downs (Ohio State, Safety)

[12:22 – 15:24]

• Highest summer grade in McShay’s evaluations; now faces greater responsibility as defensive leader.
• New defensive coordinator (Matt Patricia), key defensive departures amplifying his role.
• Key matchup: “Can he bait the young guy [Arch Manning] into a couple plays when Arch takes off and runs?” – McShay [14:06]
• Jeremiah highlights Malik Muhammad (Texas CB) vs. Ohio State receivers.

2.4 Gerard McCoy (Tennessee, CB vs. Syracuse)

[15:24 – 16:39]

• Potential CB1 for 2026 if fully healthy (returning 7.5 months after ACL tear).
• Syracuse’s high-volume passing attack will challenge him: “Ain't no hiding, Gera.” — McShay [16:34]

2.5 Parker Brailsford (Alabama, C) vs. Daryl Jackson (FSU, NT)

[16:39 – 19:27]

• Intriguing trench battle:
  • Brailsford: undersized, quick, technical.
  • Jackson: massive, powerful.
• Jeremiah:
  “You could have a lot of good snaps, a good tape, and then you gonna get exposed if… there’s any kind of laps[e]. So that’ll be the key for him.” [18:34]

3. Other Key Week 1 Matchups and Prospects

• Jordan Tyson (Arizona State, WR) – Intriguing “Debo-like” receiver coming off injury; focus on hands and after-catch ability. [21:19]

  • “Fighting [the ball] a little bit… I want to see the drops part—did we do the work in the offseason to improve?” – McShay [21:19]

• Len Norris Sellers & Nyck Harbor (South Carolina) vs. Virginia Tech

  • Sellers: High-upside QB.
  • Harbor: Track-star traits, physically unique, reports of major WR improvement after full offseason focus. [24:07]
    • “He looked like a track star playing football last year. But I’m now told [it’s his] first time in his life committed, showing major improvement as an actual receiver.” – McShay

• Reuben Bain Jr. (Miami, EDGE) vs. Notre Dame OTs; Carson Beck (Miami QB); Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame RB)

  • Beck: “Roller coaster offseason” and now “more decisive… showing up early, staying late, teammates responding.” – McShay [28:17]
  • Bain: Can he return to his 2023 dominant form? “If he is, he’s a first round pick all day long.” – McShay [28:42]

4. Mini Mailbag

Q1: Texas Tech’s Portal Investment – Is It Something to Be Ashamed Of?

[29:20 – 32:51]

• Listener (Jordan): Is it wrong for a Red Raider fan to be excited about using NIL money and the portal to build a contender?
• McShay: “Don’t apologize… The only way you’re going to compete with Tuscaloosa and Clemson and Norman is to compete with them. This is what we’re living in.” [30:20]
• Jeremiah: “Winning is way better than that feeling of… ‘we are who we are and we’ll always be that that try-hard team.’ No, take the wins, Jordan. Spend the money, man.” [32:46]

Q2: How Much Weight Do Scouts Put Into Programs & Coaches?

[33:18 – 38:14]

• Jerry asks about non-blue-chip coaches/programs influencing NFL evaluation.
• McShay: Now, up to 40%+ of the scouting conversation focuses on culture, work ethic—trustworthy sources matter more than ever.
  • “Everyone now has the same level of tape and access and analytics… Does this guy love ball? Is he tough? Does he fit what we’re doing?” [34:10]
• Jeremiah:
  “If you trust Fleck [Minnesota] or whoever is on his staff… you are more apt to go in that direction.” [35:34]

Q3: Out-of-Nowhere Teams to Make a Playoff Push

[38:14 – 42:25]

• Listener (Chad): Which unranked teams could shock the field?
• Jeremiah:
  • Utah: “I think Utah is going to win the Big 12… They’re not in the top 25… I think Utah is a team that could get into the playoff and make some noise.” [39:57]
  • Washington: Explosive playmakers, Jed Fisch’s leadership, and QB Demond Williams as X-factors.
• McShay:
  • “USC… Lincoln Riley can still coach. Bud Mayaba, Jaden Mayava is talented… Something tells me USC is sneaking around the chicken coop.” [41:04]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On young QBs:

  • “You don’t want to be checked down, Charlie. All game. Right? …when you get a chance with those weapons…who's going to be the guy who steps up and takes advantage?” — Daniel Jeremiah [10:27]

• On the transfer portal era:

  • “This is the… world we’re living in.” — McShay [30:20]

• On scouting background:

  • “Everyone now has the same level of tape… Scouting hasn’t gotten easier, but it’s gotten easier to access everything.” — McShay [34:10]

• On Utah as a dark horse:

  • “I think Utah is a team that could get into the playoff and make some noise." — Jeremiah [39:57]

• On “bringing a hatchet” to college football’s arms race:

  • “Don’t go to a hatchet fight without a hatchet. LSU. True. Listen, Alabama, they’re bringing hatchets, so you got to bring your hatchet.” — McShay [31:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:24] – Live Show and Big Cat guest announcement
• [05:24] – Introduction to prospect focus: Nussmeier vs. Klubnik
• [11:08] – Edge rushers: TJ Parker deep dive
• [12:22] – Safety spotlights: Caleb Downs’ year and challenges
• [15:24] – CB storyline: Gerard McCoy and the Tennessee-Syracuse showdown
• [16:39] – Interior trench battle: Brailsford vs. Jackson
• [21:19] – WR eval: Jordan Tyson (Arizona State) and drop rate questions
• [24:07] – NYCK Harbor and ‘next level’ receiver scouting
• [28:42] – Miami–Notre Dame: Bain Jr. edge rush status
• [29:20] – Mailbag #1: On the transfer portal & NIL
• [33:18] – Mailbag #2: Coaches/programs’ impact on evaluations
• [38:14] – Mailbag #3: Out-of-nowhere playoff contenders (Utah, Washington, USC)

Closing Thoughts

The episode serves as a college football scouting cheat sheet for NFL Draft fans heading into Week 1—highlighting not only star names but “prove-it” opportunities, system changes, and position battles that could define draft stock. The mailbag dives into the new world order of talent acquisition, character evaluation, and surprises lurking outside the AP Top 25.

Recommendation:
If you want to track future NFL talent as the college season kicks off, use this episode (and summary) as your Saturday viewing guide.