This is Football with Kevin Clark

Mario Cristobal joins This Is Football for a deep dive into building NFL talent at Miami, navigating the NIL & transfer portal era, and why physical football is taking over college football again. In this episode: How Miami rebuilt its NFL pipeline Developing first-round draft picks Coaching players in the NIL/portal era Why “hoarding talent” is over The changing balance of power in college football Thoughts on playoff expansion Mario’s philosophy on toughness, development, and competition Cristobal also breaks down Miami’s recent NFL Draft stars, discusses the evolution of line-of-scrimmage football, and shares stories about Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh, and assesses the future of the sport. Featuring: Miami Hurricanes football NFL Draft discussion College football playoff talk NIL & transfer portal insight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by Jordan Reid to break down the insanity of “way-too-early” draft discourse, debate the next wave of quarterbacks, and review some of the biggest instant-impact rookies from the 2026 class. From Caleb Downs landing in Dallas to Sonny Styles in Washington, plus deep dives on underrated prospect, this one covers everything draft junkies love. Topics covered: 2027 NFL Mock Draft reactions Arch Manning, CJ Carr, Dante Moore & QB projections Why “generational draft” talk gets exhausting Caleb Downs fit with the Cowboys Sonny Styles’ upside in Washington Texans building around their defense KC Concepcion to Cleveland Dolphins culture rebuild with Jacob Rodriguez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark goes (alphabetically) through the teams that he believes won the 2026 NFL Draft. Hear why the Bengals have built a roster capable of contending in the AFC. Similarly, why the Cowboys have vaulted themselves into contention in the NFC with the additions they've made defensively. Plus: Why both New York teams should be thrilled with their hauls and how the Buccaneers followed the Eagles' playbook in adding to their roster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark recaps a wild first round of the NFL Draft. Hear why he's high on what the Giants were able to do on Thursday coming away with Arvell Reese & Francis Mauigoa. Also why Dallas' draft puts them in a position to compete for a Super Bowl in 2026.  Plus, why Sonny Styles fell into a great situation with the Commanders and why he could become the best player in the draft. Kevin explains why he loves Jeremiyah Love as a prospect but doesn't love the fit in Arizona. That and more winners & losers from round 1 of the NFL Draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin is joined by Mina Kimes & Domonique Foxworth for a live mock draft, picks 22-32. For picks 1-10, head over to The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny. For picks 11-21, check out the Domonique Foxworth Show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the eve of the NFL Draft Kevin Clark interviews 4 prospects who figure to have bright futures in the NFL. Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt gives us his scouting report, detailing his journey from St. Francis to James Madison to winning a national championship at Indiana. Plus, his thoughts on what makes Curt Cignetti great and what he expects from Fernando Mendoza at the NFL level.  Texas A&M OL Trey Zuhn takes us through his preparation as he heads to the NFL. Hear why Rueben Bain & Akeem Mesidor were his toughest assignments at the college level. Plus, what he's doing to improve and his scouting report on Cashius Howell.  Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers joins the show fresh off his record setting performance at the NFL combine. Eli explains his transition from QB to TE and offers insight into playing with Diego Pavia. Plus, the Tight Ends he looks to for inspiration.  Missouri LB Josiah Trotter tells us what he gleaned about being a professional from his father Jeremiah. Josiah explains what he'll bring to the NFL team that drafts him. Plus, why Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion was the best player he faced in college. A reminder to check out Kevin's live show April 22nd in Pittsburgh with Mina Kimes & Domonique Foxworth at Enclave in South Side. Tickets are just $35 and come with free food, show merch and a post show meet and greet for everyone. Get your tickets at Thisisfootballlive.com now, and we hope to see you there!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by Chiefs GM Brett Veach ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. Brett details how signing Kenneth Walker will allow the Chiefs more versatility in the upcoming draft. Brett explains how the Chiefs have been able to find their identity throughout the year in previous seasons. Plus, the best prospect Brett has ever scouted and the GM he thinks twice before dealing with. Then Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald joins to explain the difference between the 2025 and 2026 Seahawks. His pick for the most underrated player on Seattle's roster. Plus, the scheme change that he thinks has changed the NFL and why he's not losing sleep over any offensive play callers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by new Browns Head Coach Todd Monken to discuss his plan for turning the team around. Todd explains why he's adopted analytics into his coaching approach, what his brand of football will be offensively, and what he expects from Shedeur Sanders in year 2. Plus, why he underrated Stetson Bennett during his time at Georgia. Then new Ravens Head Coach Jesse Minter joins to explains his football philosophy and what Ravens fans can expect to see in 2026. Why Jesse thinks Lamar Jackson will bounce back in a big way in 2026. Plus, why Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen has given him trouble throughout the years and an amazing story of what it's like to be on the same staff as Jim Harbaugh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by Buccaneers GM Jason Licht from the NFL Owners Meetings. Jason details why adversity is a part of Baker Mayfield's story and explains why he expects him to rebound in 2026. Jason spotlights why he expects Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan to make a leap next season. Plus, the one scouting report Jason wants back from his career. Then Panthers EVP Brandt Tillis joins the show. Brandt details what went into the team's decision to sign Jaelan Phillips this offseason to fill their need for an edge rusher. He explains the lessons he learned in Kansas City that have helped him in his transition to Carolina and how he's become a wizard in managing the rising cap. Plus, Panthers owner David Tepper briefly crashes the interview to rib Brandt about his decision to wear shorts. A reminder to check out Kevin's live show April 22nd in Pittsburgh with Mina Kimes & Domonique Foxworth at Enclave in South Side. Tickets are just $35 and come with free food, show merch and a post show meet and greet for everyone. Get your tickets at Thisisfootballlive.com now, and we hope to see you there!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by new Falcons Head Coach Kevin Stefanski at the NFL Owners Meeting. Coach gives his thoughts on what excites him about the players the team currently has. Hear why he thinks he can use Bijan Robinson similarly to how the 49ers use Christian McCaffrey. Stefanski shares the most underrated player he's ever coached plus the biggest schematic change in the NFL that's affected the game in the past few seasons. Then Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan joins the show. Jon-Eric shares why he's confident Malik Willis will succeed in Miami and the lessons he learned from his time in Green Bay. Jon-Eric shares how roster building has changed since he started working in the NFL 22 years ago. Plus, why Brett Favre was the biggest bada** Jon-Eric has ever been around during his career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by Ohio State head coach Ryan Day to break down everything from navigating NIL and the transfer portal to developing elite NFL talent, and why the Buckeyes continue to produce some of the best players in football. Topics covered: How Ohio State sustains a championship culture in the NIL/portal era Developing top NFL prospects year after year Scouting reports on Sonny Styles & Caleb Downs The future of college football (and whether a draft could actually happen ) Commanders HC Dan Quinn joins from the NFL Owners Meetings to discuss how Washington is looking to rebound after a disappointing 2025 season. Dan details what makes him confident that Jayden Daniels will bounce back in his 3rd NFL season after dealing with injuries last year.  Dan explains who he thinks the most underrated player he's ever coached is and why recent kickoff changes have completely changed his coaching approach. Plus, the quarterback that keeps him up at night when he's game-planning for them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Danny Kelly joins Kevin Clark for a deep dive into NFL Draft chaos scenarios that could completely flip the board. They kick things off with the Seahawks locking up Jaxon Smith-Njigba and what it says about the future of the salary cap, before diving into what unexpected moves could shake up the draft. Topics include: Why Ty Simpson could be the surprise QB that shakes up the entire top 10 How “conventional wisdom” fails every single draft cycle The ripple effects of a quarterback going earlier than expected What happens if Jeremiyah Love falls into contender territory Why elite running backs only matter for good teams The growing importance of offensive tackles, and why teams may reach early What are the chances a superstar gets dealt on draft day? Kevin and Danny also debate draft philosophy, landing spot importance, and why some prospects rise or fall despite what the tape says. Then sleeper cornerback prospect Chris Johnson joins the show to discuss what the draft process has been like from him this far. Chris details what his visit was like with the Steelers & why he was a fan of them growing up. Plus, what he's seen on his scouting report that he believes is unfair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBC Sports’ own Patrick Daugherty joins Kevin Clark to dive headfirst into chaos with bold NFL predictions and offseason reactions They kick things off by reacting to the Jaylen Waddle trade and what it means for the Dolphins, Broncos, and the rest of the AFC. From there, it’s all about BIG swings: which teams are legit contenders, which franchises are quietly falling apart, and which takes might come back to haunt us in a few months. In this episode: Jaylen Waddle trade fallout and who actually won the deal Are the Dolphins tanking… or just confused? Why the Broncos offense might be WAY better than people think The Giants’ future under John Harbaugh Seahawks regression incoming? Bengals as AFC champs?! Bears… in the Super Bowl?? Then Hall of Fame Cornerback Champ Bailey joins. He weighs in on what Jaylen Waddle's addition will do for his former squad. Champ shares why he thinks coaching may have played a role in the Broncos failing to defeat the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Plus, the Wide Receiver that Champ would dread facing if he played today & an amazing story from his playing days with Deion Sanders in Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing the latest investigative series from ESPN and 30 for 30 Podcasts, “Murder at The U.” A college football star on the brink of NFL greatness is brazenly executed steps from campus. The case almost goes cold until a team of ESPN reporters start digging… and find a side of the victim he didn’t want people to know. To catch new episodes early, follow “30 for 30 Podcasts” for free on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Amazon Music⁠, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ted Nguyen from The Athletic joins Kevin Clark to break down the biggest winners and losers from the first wave of NFL free agency. They dive deep into scheme fit, roster building, and why certain signings matter more than others. Ted explains how these players actually fit into offensive and defensive systems, from the Raiders’ investment in the offensive line to the Rams fixing their secondary. They also discuss Fernando Mendoza’s potential with the Raiders, the Titans’ Patriots-style rebuild around Cam Ward, and why the Chargers may have quietly made one of the most important signings of free agency. Plus: which move might be the most overrated contract so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark sits down with Trevor Sikkema, Lead NFL Draft Analyst for Pro Football Focus, for a deep dive into the future of the league.  They break down this year’s NFL Draft class and explore how the college football transfer portal has dramatically increased the overall depth of talent available to teams. With more player movement than ever, franchises are seeing more experienced, pro-ready prospects enter the draft pool. They also examine how the 2026 linebacker class could shape the NFL for the next decade — including why Sonny Styles may be the best overall player in the 2026 Draft. The conversation highlights a clear shift in today’s game: speed is taking precedence over traditional size and strength, redefining what teams value at nearly every position.  Plus, they predict when the wide receiver run could begin in this year’s draft and which teams may trigger the domino effect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin is joined by Andy Staples and they take a deep dive into the changing landscape of College Football. They break down the evolution of college football recruiting - how NIL, the transfer portal and modern scouting have completely reshaped roster building. Andy is high on NFL Draft Prospect Gennings Dunker.  That brought up the topic, what makes a “plug-and-play” NFL Lineman in today’s game.  And the  biggest question they tackled was, Who is next year’s Fernando Mendoza? Kevin and Andy volleyed back and forth on who the elite Quarterbacks of college football will be next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Clark is joined by Lindsay Jones, Senior NFL Editor at The Ringer, to break down the biggest storylines shaping the 2026 NFL offseason. They dive into:  Why this coaching cycle could change the league for years (19 new offensive coordinators?!) Whether teams are learning the wrong lessons from last season The rise of the “Seattle model”, can you win big without an elite QB? What’s next for the Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, and Bengals The pressure on Brandon Beane and Buffalo’s skill positions Why a major WR trade (A.J. Brown?) could swing the AFC Should the Raiders finally trade Maxx Crosby? The Chargers hype train (again), is this the year? The QB carousel: Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, Malik Willis, and more Then Kevin is joined by Jeremiyah Love who details what the NFL team that drafts him will be getting. He also offers insight into what makes Marcus Freeman tick & gives aglowing report on CJ Carr's future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Ryan joins Kevin Clark to discuss his recent move to the front office of the team that he spent his playing days with. Matt explains why now was the time to make the jump to the front office with the Atlanta Falcons, and the role that Arthur Blank played in it. Matt pinpoints rosters that he'll aim to emulate in building the Falcons. Plus, his thoughts on quarterback development in the NFL. WWE Superstar CM Punk joins Kevin Clark to discuss his love for the Bears and why he hates the idea of the team moving out of Chicago. Punk places the blame on ownership for not being able to secure a stadium in Chicago. Plus, the most bada** wrestler he's ever been around and his thoughts on his upcoming match at Wrestlemania with Roman Reigns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kirk Herbstreit joins Kevin Clark to discuss how presumptive #1 pick in the NFL Draft Fernando Mendoza compares to previous QBs who have gone first overall in recent years. Kirk explains why sometimes it's prudent for players to stay in school and get more experience at the college level before entering the NFL Draft. Plus, why Patrick Mahomes' pro success was a bit of a surprise for Kirk after watching him in college at Texas Tech. Then WWE Superstar Seth Rollins joins to discuss how he's made the move into football analysis. Hear what he thinks the Bears need to do next season to reach the Super Bowl in Los Angeles. Plus, Seth also shares the match that got him into professional wrestling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices