The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell

Welcome to The Hard Count Huddle, a conversation show about all things college football and beyond with the host of The Hard Count J.D. PicKell and producer Kaiden Smith. Today in the huddle, the gang talks about the quarterbacks their most excited to watch this upcoming football season. Unpacking the fascinating expectations and storylines for guys like Julian Sayin, Dante Moore, Bryce Underwood, Nico Iamaleava, and Carson Beck. Which leads to a big picture conversation about how NIL and the transfer portal have impacted college athletes and the narrative surrounding them from the media and fans that you won't want to miss!

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On this episode of The Hard Count, J.D. PicKell reacts to anonymous coach quotes that give rare insight into the Big Ten's top programs heading into 2025. From what Bryce Underwood needs at Michigan, Nebraska’s rebuild under Matt Rhule, the truth about Ryan Day at Ohio State and more, J.D. breaks down what coaches are really saying and what it all means for the College Football Playoff race. Then to end the show J.D. lists the nine teams that he truly believes are the only contenders to win this year's national championship.

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On this episode of The Hard Count, J.D. PicKell reacts to anonymous coach quotes from Athlon Sports that reveal what college football coaches from the SEC are really saying about the biggest programs and players heading into 2025. Is Oklahoma’s John Mateer a gamble or a game-changer? Can DJ Lagway be the best QB in the SEC? Has Georgia lost an edge under Kirby Smart and has is Texas A&M gained one with Mike Elko? J.D. breaks it all down along with bookending the show with a conversation about the state of college football and why Ryan Day isn't as respected as Kirby Smart.

 

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ESPN's Aaron Murray joins J.D. PicKell on this episode of The Hard Count to break down the biggest topics in college football heading into the 2025 season. From Georgia’s identity to Texas’ QB situation and Miami’s massive opener, it’s all on the table.

🧃 Does Georgia still have the EDGE?

Kirby Smart built a dynasty by making Georgia the most physical, disciplined team in the country. But after not winning a national title in 2024, does UGA still have that same dominance? J.D. and Aaron break down whether the Dawgs still run the SEC and what to expect from Gunner Stockton.

🧃 Will Carson Beck work at Miami in 2025?

After throwing again and returning to the field, questions swirl about how Carson Beck fits with the Hurricanes. Can Beck lead Miami’s offense and lift the program back to elite status? J.D. and Aaron analyze his potential impact and what it means for Miami’s outlook next season.

🧃 Is Arch Manning actually an upgrade for Texas?

The SEC spotlight is on Austin. Arch Manning takes over under center — but does Texas need him to be elite to win big? Or is he the piece that puts them over the top? J.D. and Aaron unpack what Steve Sarkisian has built around Arch.

🧃 Is LSU a real contender in 2025?

After a 9-win season in 2024, LSU is poised to make a significant leap. With a strong recruiting class and key players returning, the Tigers have the pieces to challenge for the SEC title. J.D. and Aaron discuss whether LSU can capitalize on their talent and navigate a challenging schedule to emerge as true contenders. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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The SEC is once again the center of the college football universe—and in this episode of The Hard Count, J.D. PicKell tackles the biggest questions facing the conference heading into the 2025 season.

🧃 Is DJ Lagway as advertised for Florida?

DJ Lagway might be the most exciting true freshman quarterback in college football. Can he live up to the hype and take the Florida Gators back to SEC relevance? J.D. breaks down Lagway’s raw talent, leadership potential, and what Billy Napier must do to develop him quickly in Gainesville.

🧃 Can Oklahoma put it all together with John Mateer?

The Sooners have the talent to compete in the SEC, but is John Mateer the right man at quarterback to lead the charge? J.D. explores Mateer’s ceiling, Oklahoma’s depth chart, and what it will take for Brent Venables to make Oklahoma a real threat in 2025.

🧃 Does Georgia still have the bully mentality?

Georgia football is loaded again, but do the Bulldogs still carry that same edge that made them two-time national champions? J.D. examines Kirby Smart’s culture, Carson Beck’s leadership, and whether UGA can still dominate the SEC with the same physicality and mindset.

🧃 Is everything stable enough around Arch Manning at Texas?

The Longhorns have elite talent on both sides of the ball—but will the supporting cast around Arch Manning be strong enough to carry Texas to Atlanta? J.D. dives into the Texas offensive line, skill positions, and why Sark’s system must keep Arch protected and poised for a title run.

🧃 Does Alabama have a Kalen DeBoer brand QB?

With Kalen DeBoer taking over in Tuscaloosa, the spotlight is now on the quarterback room. Does Alabama have a signal-caller who fits DeBoer’s system—someone accurate, decisive, and explosive? J.D. breaks down Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell, and explains what it will take to make Alabama a true national title contender again.

From QB storylines to title contention, this episode of The Hard Count breaks down the key questions across the SEC that will define the 2025 college football season.

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Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell...here's what's NOT being said ahead of the 2025 college football season.

J.D. goes across the SEC and breaks down what's not being discussed about all the top team in the league. From the narrative around Arch Manning and Texas, the upside of Florida's wide receiver room, the QB position at Alabama, and more. Outside of the SEC, J.D. also ranks the top five quarterback rooms in the Big Ten, breaks down why Dana Holgorsen could be the difference in Dylan Raiola's sophomore season, and how the Baylor Bears could make the College Football Playoff before ending the show on toxic fan culture in college football. 

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Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell... J.D. tackles the biggest questions in the Big Ten Conference this upcoming college football season. Breaking down if Michigan freshman QB Bryce Underwood can meet the moment, if Ohio State's new coordinators can uphold the Buckeyes' standard, if Oregon's offense can maintain their success with Dante Moore at the helm, and if USC can actually close out games in the fourth quarter this season. PicKell also talks about that transfer QB John Mateer brings to Oklahoma before himself and producer Kaiden Smith draft the "best" games of the 2025 college football season.

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Today on The Hard Count ... Who will be the face of college football in 2025? J.D. PicKell makes the case for Texas QB Arch Manning as the sport’s next superstar. He also lets listeners chime in on his latest Post-Spring Top 25 rankings and responds to their gripes about where teams like Notre Dame, Alabama, and Arizona State landed. Also ranking the top 5 quarterback rooms in the SEC and what might be the best Saturday slate of the entire season in Week 7 before taking a deep dive into LSU and Clemson's Week 1 matchup and the Auburn Tigers. 

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Today on The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell...we're once again talking the greatest sport on he face of planet earch: college football. 

🧃 J.D.’s Post-Spring Top 25 College Football Rankings Who’s rising, who’s falling, and which teams are ready to make a national title run after spring ball? J.D. PicKell breaks down his updated Top 25 rankings. 

🧃 Georgia Bulldogs Land 5-Star QB Jared Curtis Kirby Smart and the Dawgs strike again! We analyze what Jared Curtis brings to Athens and how this massive recruiting win could impact the SEC and college football playoff picture for years to come. 

🧃 Sherrone Moore Suspension Reaction – What It Means for Michigan Football J.D. shares his thoughts on Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore's suspension. How will this affect the Wolverines’ momentum in 2025? What does it mean for Bryce Underwood?

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The Sunday Sprint is back! J.D. PicKell is bringing you the best of the best from The Hard Count this week! We’ve packed all of J.D.’s top takes and sound bites into one must-listen episode for college football fans.

This week J.D. takes an early look at some of the marquee matchups in the college football season following the conclusion of spring practice and the spring portal. Breaking down Ohio State vs Texas, Miami vs Florida, and Syracuse vs Tennessee in September. Next J.D. pulls back the curtain on USC sitting atop the 2026 recruiting rankings before breaking down the recent report suggesting that the Texas Longhorns roster could be costing them upwards of $40 million this season. Ending the sprint with some College Football 26 video game talk after Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian declined the deluxe cover photoshoot and unpacking if Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith should have an 100 overall rating in the game. 

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