A rumor made its internet rounds last night that the ex-NFL punter turned must-see TV media analyst, Pat McAfee, would be joining the College Gameday crew for the rest of the season… This morning those rumors were confirmed.

First thing first – this is a MASSIVE win for ESPN. Since his first day at Barstool Sports, when he announced his retirement via a fake news conference at the Super Bowl, McAfee brought an energy and refreshing new twist to the way sports are covered in this country.

Before any traditionalists jump to the conclusion that McAfee isn’t for them, I suggest giving his podcast “The Pat McAfee Show 2.0” a listen. His interviews, knowledge and overall ability to make boring seem fun make him someone any Smack fan can appreciate.

McAfee has a long history of putting entertainment first. He’s not afraid to push the envelope to get the audience engaged and laughing. He was once arrested during his college days at West Virginia – the police report is enough to prove he's comedic gold. 

Given his larger-than-life personality, and ESPN’s need to fill it’s most important seat to date, this leads us to the obvious question:

Is Pat McAfee the heir apparent to Lee Corso?

The timing definitely checks out, especially when you consider that the Great Lee Corso is 87 years young, and ESPN will need to pull off a smooth transition sooner rather than later.

Possibly even more important than the timing, is getting the right person to fill the chair. College Gameday is one of the greatest shows on the planet, and with McAfee, ESPN has found the perfect replacement to continue their reign.

He will certainly have some big shoes to fill. Lee Corso is a beloved staple in American football, after firing up the crowds, dropping accidental F-bombs and throwing on mascots head gear for 35 years. Time will tell if Pat is up to the challenge, but we’re excited to watch the chemistry unfold!