Podcast Summary: The McShay Show – "A Two-Way Travis Hunter Scouting Report. Plus: Indiana–Ohio State Expectations and Best Bets With Chris 'The Bear' Fallica"

Release Date: November 19, 2024
Host: Todd McShay
Guest: Chris “The Bear” Fellica

Introduction

In this episode of The McShay Show, long-time NFL Draft and College Football Analyst Todd McShay delves deep into the multifaceted talents of Travis Hunter, evaluates the highly anticipated Indiana versus Ohio State matchup, and discusses the latest trends and best bets in college football gambling with guest Chris “The Bear” Fellica.

Travis Hunter Scouting Report

Evaluating Travis Hunter as a Cornerback

Todd McShay and co-host Mitch engage in a comprehensive analysis of Travis Hunter's capabilities as a cornerback. Highlighting Hunter's physicality and fundamental skills, Mitch notes:

"He is a fundamentally sound press corner who is physical... he can make it hard for guys to get off the line."
[08:27] Mitch

They compare Hunter to legendary two-way players such as Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey, and Deion Sanders, emphasizing the challenges of excelling at both defensive and offensive positions at the NFL level.

Key Insights:

• Instincts and Recognition: Hunter possesses elite instincts and recognition, essential traits for translating to the NFL as a cornerback. McShay underscores this:

  "The best corners in the NFL... have elite instincts and recognition typically."
  [09:55] Todd McShay

• Ball Skills and Playmaking: Mitch praises Hunter's ball-handling abilities, citing his ability to secure interceptions and make impactful plays.

• Durability Concerns: Despite his strengths, concerns about Hunter's durability and tackling consistency are raised, drawing parallels to current NFL corners like Sauce Gardner.

Evaluating Travis Hunter as a Wide Receiver

Switching gears, Todd evaluates Hunter's potential as a wide receiver. He acknowledges Hunter's excellent route-running and separation skills but points out areas needing improvement:

"There's too many times where you feel like he's getting muscled a little bit when the ball's in the air... he's just got to get some more body armor."
[22:33] Todd McShay

Comparison to Historic Players:

• Deion Sanders vs. Hunter: McShay discusses Deion Sanders' dual-role in the NFL, highlighting that while Sanders had some receptions, his primary impact was in defense and return game.

Draft Position Implications: The discussion concludes that Travis Hunter is more likely to be drafted as a cornerback rather than a wide receiver, positioning him potentially within the top five picks of the 2025 NFL Draft.

"He very well could be the number one overall pick as a wide receiver or as a cornerback that can also contribute at wide receiver."
[43:22] Todd McShay

"Asked and Answered" Segment

In this debut segment, Todd and Mitch address listener-submitted questions, fostering audience engagement. Questions range from player rankings in the NFL Draft to broader evaluations of college football prospects.

Highlighted Question: Anthony Brown (@anthonybrown) asks:

"Where would Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. rank in the 2025 NFL Draft class? Same tier as Cam Ward and Shador?"
[92:25] Todd McShay

Response: Mitch responds by categorizing Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr., and others into distinct tiers based on their performance and potential, emphasizing the nuanced evaluation process.

Discussion with Chris “The Bear” Fellica

Guest Chris Fellica joins Todd and Mitch to provide insights into college football betting, game expectations, and draft predictions.

Indiana vs. Ohio State Expectations:

• Game Analysis: Chris predicts Ohio State will secure a convincing win over Indiana, citing Ohio State's depth and quality compared to Indiana's impressive but ultimately outmatched performance.

  "I ultimately think Ohio State does pull away and win this game convincingly."
  [55:46] Chris Fellica

• Betting Lines: They discuss hypothetical betting lines provided by FanDuel, suggesting Indiana would be significant underdogs against top SEC teams like Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.

College Football Playoff Rankings:

• SEC Dominance: The conversation touches on the clustering of SEC teams close in rankings, with Georgia likely remaining the highest-rated among them despite recent losses.

  "I think it's interesting to see all of those are six and above except Tennessee which would only be two and a half."
  [58:18] Todd McShay

NFL Draft Predictions:

• Top Prospects: The duo examines the strength of the 2025 NFL Draft class, particularly focusing on Travis Hunter's potential as a top pick.
• Historical Comparisons: They reference past drafts, noting the rarity of cornerbacks being drafted first overall and the evolving value of wide receivers in the modern NFL.

Gambling Insights:

• Best Bets: Chris shares his betting strategies and insights, emphasizing the importance of understanding team dynamics and statistical trends.

  "I think Tulane is a really good play."
  [81:50] Chris Fellica

Industry News and Personal Stories

Joe Douglas Firing: Todd touches on the recent firing of Joe Douglas, the beloved General Manager of the New York Jets, expressing his personal views on the situation.

"Joe will be just fine. And he may... become a general manager after that."
[106:17] Todd McShay

He comments on the challenges Joe faced under the Jets' ownership, attributing the team's struggles to broader organizational issues rather than Douglas's performance.

Personal Reflections: The hosts reflect on their long-standing relationships within the NFL community, sharing anecdotes about their friendship and professional collaborations with Chris Fellica.

Conclusion

Todd McShay wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of listener engagement through the "asked and answered" segment, encouraging fans to submit their questions via Twitter/X. He also hints at future discussions surrounding the NFL Draft and ongoing college football analysis.

"Keep the questions coming in. I'll send reminders every week and we want to get everyone more involved in the show."
[91:16] Todd McShay

The episode concludes with final remarks on the dynamic nature of college football and the excitement surrounding the upcoming Indiana vs. Ohio State game.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Todd McShay [09:55]: "The best corners in the NFL... have elite instincts and recognition typically."
• Mitch [22:33]: "I see almost the same kind of plays from him. And when you look at that UCF pick..."
• Chris Fellica [55:46]: "I ultimately think Ohio State does pull away and win this game convincingly."
• Todd McShay [58:18]: "It's interesting to see all of those are six and above except Tennessee which would only be two and a half."
• Chris Fellica [81:15]: "Somebody's knew something. Yeah, I went back and looked..."

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