- College Game Day returns to the NFL Draft live at 5 p.m. ET Thursday and 4 p.m. Friday on ESPN
- Many coaches join the pregame programming on day one, including Ohio State’s Ryan Day, LSU’s Brian Kelly and USC’s Lincoln Riley.
- Legendary former Alabama HC Nick Saban kicks off his new role with Match day and ABC Draft coverage
ESPN College GameDay built by Home Depot returns to the NFL Draft for the seventh season, live from Detroit on Thursday, April 25 at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN). The two-hour kickoff special, followed by ABC’s NFL Draft preview featuring numerous players Match day airing at 8 p.m., will focus on the stories behind the players, feature exclusive interviews with coaches from around the world of college football and a look at the red carpet with recruits.
One o’clock on Friday Match day begins at 4 p.m., before the 7 p.m. ABC telecast. Saturday’s third day draft presentation will be simulcast on ESPN and ABC at noon.
Host Récé Davis will lead both ESPN’s pregame show and ABC’s draft preview Thursday and Friday, joined by Match day analysts Kirk Herbstreit – former Ohio State quarterback – and 1992 Heisman Trophy winner and NFL rookie from Michigan, Desmond Howard.
In his first performance in his new role at ESPN, seven-time college football national champion head coach, Nick Saban, will be in the office to provide a coach’s perspective to the group, while the 2009 NFL Rookie Pat McAfee will join the Match day crew for night 1 before The Pat McAfee Show Spectacular project (YouTube, TikTok, the ESPN app and streaming on ESPN+).
Plus, NFL Draft Analyst Yates Field will join ABC’s draft coverage for his rookie year, while NFL Draft mainstay Laura Rutledge will report live from the green room, interviewing prospects’ families once their loved one is selected, and a college football insider Pete Thamel will bring the latest news and information to the Match day broadcast.
Coaches corner
ESPN Match day coverage will feature exclusive interviews with many head coaches across the college football landscape. On Thursday’s telecast, three coaches whose players are expected to be first-round draft picks will join the Match day office – Ohio State Ryan Day (Marvin Harrison Jr.), LSU Brian Kelly (Jayden Daniels) and USC Lincoln Riley (Caleb Williams), with additional information provided by coaches throughout the draft.
Guests galore
Throughout Thursday’s show, Match day will have exclusive access to rookies as they enter the red carpet. Rutledge will be stationed on hand to take in the stage and speak with draft prospects before the main event, including a trio of QBs – Drake Maye and Heisman Trophy winners Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams, as well as wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. .
Other guests will join Friday’s Match day and ABC broadcasts and Saturday’s draft finale. Guest updates and additional announcements will be available via @ESPNPR.
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