Explore Coach Ricci Woodard's journey at Texas State on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin, as she reflects on her career achievements and the loyalty she's built within the program. Delve into the impact of the transfer portal on recruiting strategies and lessons learned from Oregon. Gain insights into the business side of college sports, facilities, and the unique perspectives of female athletes. Coach Woodard shares post-season experiences, pitcher development, and the dynamics of team preparation. Discover the mental challenges athletes face, the integration of freshmen, and standout performances. The episode concludes with reflections on first-year coaching, aspirations, and setting season expectations with an experienced staff.

(0:13) Grant Gurtin: Introduction and welcoming Ricci Woodard

(0:36) Ricci Woodard: Career reflections, staying at Texas State, and pivotal moments

(2:34) Grant Gurtin: Loyalty, player retention, and the role of the transfer portal

(5:55) Grant Gurtin: Recruiting, retaining talent, and the Texas State experience beyond sports

(8:10) Ricci Woodard: Business side, impact of facilities, and female athletes' experiences

(10:35) Grant Gurtin: Championship aspirations, team dynamics, and balancing talent

(14:19) Grant Gurtin: Team chemistry, competition, and emotional challenges in college sports

(18:05) Ricci Woodard: Preparing new players, surprising performances, and identifying potential

(22:12) Success in coaching, lessons from past teams, and aspirations for hosting tournaments

(27:24) Working with family in coaching and benefits of experienced staff

(31:20) Expectations for the current season

Join Kamryn Bass and Ciara Trahan on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as they dive into the anticipation of a new season, sharing insights into mid-major programs and the impact of facilities on recruiting journeys. They discuss team adaptation, freshman challenges, and overcoming adversity throughout the fall season. Explore the program's legacy, home field advantage, and the role of team chemistry in creating memorable moments. The episode delves into pitching strategy, emotional highs, and fun experiences, highlighting key achievements and aspirations for the season. Kamryn and Ciara reflect on their journey and share closing thoughts, offering a unique perspective on balancing academics and athletics.

(0:00) Welcome and season anticipation

(1:11) Mid-major program insights

(2:08) Facilities and recruiting journeys

(5:29) Team adaptation and freshman challenges

(11:19) Fall season and overcoming adversity

(19:31) Program legacy and home field advantage

(26:27) Team chemistry and memorable moments

(32:03) Pitching strategy and career adversities

(40:22) Emotional moments and fun experiences

(43:15) Achievements and season aspirations

(46:14) Reflections and closing thoughts

(47:15) Producer's note and call to action

Join Sawyer Robertson on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he discusses finding his identity through faith and building excitement among Baylor fans. Sawyer reflects on his past season, future plans, and integrating special guests into his journey. He shares his experiences with notable quarterbacks and his recruiting journey with Mike Leach, including the choice not to play for Texas Tech. Sawyer delves into balancing faith with football, the impact of personal style on success, and preparing for a bowl game. The episode explores his influences from Texas high school football, the transition from baseball, and realizing football was his career path. Discover his decision to transfer to Baylor, the importance of faith, and aspirations for the future.

(0:00) Sawyer Robertson on finding identity through faith and building excitement among Baylor fans

(1:00) Reflecting on the past season, future plans, and integrating special guests

(2:38) Sabatow's notable quarterbacks and experiences at Mississippi State

(5:46) Recruiting journey with Mike Leach and the choice not to play for Texas Tech

(10:43) Playing against Texas Tech and balancing faith with football

(15:10) The impact of personal style on success and preparing for a bowl game

(17:15) Looking ahead to the NFL and influences from watching NFL quarterbacks

(20:02) Influence of Texas high school football and transitioning from baseball

(22:44) Realizing football was the right career path and the unique Texas culture

(26:08) Committing to Mississippi State and learning from Will Rogers

(29:51) Memorable phone calls with Coach Mike Leach and favorite food spots

(37:15) Decision to transfer to Baylor and considerations of Texas Tech's quarterback room

(40:09) The importance of faith and Baylor's supportive community

(46:37) Testing of faith and identity in college and overcoming challenges

(54:19) Understanding unconditional love, having an escape, and balancing team dynamics

(58:11) Aspirations, senior players' legacy, and key players to watch in the final game

Join Walker Eget on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he discusses his pride in helping a teammate and his college journey, including the recruiting process and choosing a school. Walker shares insights into family support, the value of education, and challenges with the transfer portal. He highlights transfer success stories and his brother's influence, reflecting on COVID's impact on recruiting and freshman year dynamics. Delve into quarterback changes, early playing time lessons, and building team chemistry. Walker explores his relationship with Nick Nash, the evolution of San Jose State Football, and his decision to stay after coaching changes. The episode covers mental resilience, faith's role, and Walker's potential football career.

(0:00) Introduction and Walker Eget's pride in helping a teammate

(1:21) Walker's college journey, recruiting process, and choosing a school

(3:47) Family support, value of education, and transfer portal challenges

(7:26) Transfer success stories and Walker's brother's influence

(12:06) COVID's impact on recruiting and freshman year dynamics

(16:00) Quarterback changes, injuries, and early playing time lessons

(22:12) Observations from Shevin Cordeiro and building team chemistry

(30:47) Redshirt year, team's record, and Camden McWright's legacy

(35:06) Evolution of San Jose State Football and relationship with Nick Nash

(43:56) Reflections on the 2023 season and chemistry with Nash

(45:00) Decision to stay at San Jose State after coaching changes

(46:36) Quarterback room dynamics and transfer portal impacts

(51:55) Beating SEC teams and returning to the game after a break

(56:38) Mental resilience and full circle moments with teammates

(1:00:45) Attributes of Walker's game and learning from tough games

(1:07:16) Hardest moments, faith's role, and social media experience

(1:11:02) Potential for a football career and seizing opportunities

(1:14:47) Eli's perspective on faith, hard work, and closing remarks

Join Zeon Chriss on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he shares his path to peace and his journey through college sports. Zeon discusses building momentum with the Houston Cougars under Coach Fritz's guidance and the influences of Lamar Jackson, Greg Ward, and Tom Brady. He reflects on his father's coaching impact, early football beginnings, and evolution as a quarterback. Zeon opens up about overcoming doubt, facing depression, and finding faith, highlighting resilience and learning from professional athletes. Delve into team culture, college recruitment, and adjusting to the college football landscape. The episode explores maintaining confidence, mentorship, and the dynamics of team support, concluding with Zeon's goals and aspirations for the future.

(0:00) Introduction and Zeon Chriss's path to peace

(0:50) Building momentum with Houston Cougars and Coach Fritz's impact

(6:19) Influences: Lamar Jackson, Greg Ward, and Tom Brady

(12:48) Zeon Chriss' father's coaching influence and preparing for the next level

(16:03) Early football beginnings and staying grounded

(19:16) Transition and evolution as a quarterback

(22:06) Youth football experiences and playing with future NFL talent

(24:06) Overcoming doubt and achieving perfection

(25:33) High school challenges and winning the championship

(27:51) Facing depression and finding faith

(31:07) Resilience and learning from the pros

(36:02) Team culture and college recruitment

(39:15) Adjusting to college football and redshirt year

(43:52) Maintaining confidence and mentorship

(47:11) Positivity and team support dynamics

(49:13) Winning the quarterback role and transfer decisions

(52:43) Connecting with coach Fritz and overcoming adversity

(1:00:31) Setting goals and team aspirations

(1:02:28) Closing thoughts and looking ahead

Join Will Howard on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he shares his path from baseball to football, navigating recruitment challenges, and his early days at Kansas State. Will discusses his transition to Ohio State, adapting to the Buckeye way, and overcoming struggles as a backup quarterback. He reflects on personal growth, the role of faith, and staying present amidst competition. Discover how Will handles pressure, emphasizing strength, conditioning, and Ohio State's approach to fitness, nutrition, and recovery. The episode also touches on preparing for the NFL, Ohio State's quarterback legacy, the emotional impacts of rivalry games, and celebrating victories.

(0:00) Will Howard's transition to Ohio State and adapting to the Buckeye way

(1:02) Introduction to the Zen Game QB Show

(1:35) Will Howard's journey from baseball to football

(3:13) Recruitment challenges and early days at Kansas State

(7:22) Backup quarterback struggles and injuries

(10:05) Overcoming self-doubt and competition

(14:17) Lessons learned and personal growth

(23:36) The role of faith in Will's football journey

(29:23) Reflecting on the journey and staying present

(31:57) Handling pressure and the importance of strength and conditioning

(40:56) Ohio State's approach to fitness, nutrition, and recovery

(42:56) Preparing for the NFL with new expectations

(46:08) The Ohio State quarterback legacy and what fans can expect this season

(48:59) Rivalry games, emotional impacts, and celebrating victories

(50:00) Closing remarks and subscription reminders

Join Dillon Gabriel on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he delves into his football journey from early beginnings to his impactful career. Dillon shares experiences from playing various positions, defensive influences, and how Marcus Mariota inspired him. He reflects on community involvement, high school memories, and breaking records leading to his recruitment by UCF. Dillon discusses his relationship with Mackenzie Milton, standout moments at UCF, and adaptation during the pandemic. The episode explores his personal life, engagement, and managing fame, along with financial management and NIL opportunities. Dillon offers advice for aspiring athletes, emphasizes building a strong support network, and discusses his legacy and aspirations beyond football.

(0:00) Introduction to Dillon Gabriel and his football beginnings

(0:28) Early football experiences and positions played

(1:20) Defensive playing experiences and influences

(2:02) Marcus Mariota's impact on Dillon's career

(3:09) Community involvement and high school memories

(6:00) High school sponsorship and rivalries

(7:00) Breaking records and recruitment to UCF

(9:08) Dillon's relationship with Mackenzie Milton

(13:13) Podcast introduction and focus on QB minds

(13:38) UCF highlights and standout moments

(15:28) Adjusting to football during the pandemic

(17:34) Learning from tight games and building resilience

(19:32) Personal life: Engagement and future plans

(22:53) Staying grounded and dealing with fame

(27:23) Financial management and NIL opportunities

(30:52) Advice for upcoming college athletes

(32:15) Building a trustworthy support network

(35:29) Dillon's legacy and aspirations beyond football

(37:00) Episode wrap-up and call to action

Join Jake Retzlaff on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he shares his journey through college sports, starting with his unique training during COVID. Jake reflects on his time at Riverside and the lessons learned from JUCO, comparing it to Division I football. He emphasizes the importance of film study and his plans for redshirting. Discover life at BYU with insights into off-field moments, team goals, and the motivating factor of rankings. Jake discusses mentorship, team bonding, and personal stories, including teammates' first starts and the "love and learn" philosophy. The episode delves into preparing for the NFL, learning from losses, and Jake's Jewish heritage influencing his decision to join BYU.

(0:00) Introduction and Jake Retzlaff's COVID training

(2:04) Jake's experience at Riverside and lessons from JUCO

(6:46) Comparing JUCO and Division I football

(8:47) The importance of film study and redshirting plans

(11:34) Life at BYU: Off-field moments and team goals

(15:04) Motivation from rankings and BYU team culture

(18:22) Mentorship, team bonding, and personal stories at BYU

(22:56) Teammates' first starts and the "love and learn" philosophy

(26:54) Preparing for the NFL and staying connected with BYU alumni

(30:34) Learning from losses and the support system

(33:56) Upcoming game against SMU and personal reflections

(34:40) Jake's Jewish heritage and decision to join BYU

Join Kurtis Rourke on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he discusses his journey from Canadian football to Indiana, reflecting on his transfer and the impact of injuries and COVID on his career. Kurtis shares insights on family influence, loyalty, and overcoming adversity during the 2019 season. He highlights the differences between Canadian and American football and provides a glimpse into Indiana's roster and spring practices. Delve into defensive challenges, the influence of Coach Cignetti, and Kurtis's connection to faith. Discover how Kurtis finds identity beyond sport, prepares for the Big Ten, and manages pressure. The episode concludes with Kurtis's future outlook.

(0:00) Introduction and Kurtis Rourke's transfer to Indiana

(2:24) Kurtis Rourke on injuries, loyalty, and COVID year impact

(3:48) Family influence and transition to American football

(7:07) Choosing Ohio and learning from the 2019 season adversity

(11:06) Differences between Canadian and American football

(14:33) Indiana's roster and spring practice insights

(17:22) Defensive challenges and Coach Cignetti's influence

(20:03) Connection to faith and overcoming injuries

(24:14) Finding identity and purpose beyond sport

(25:53) Preparing for the Big Ten and balancing pressure

(27:32) Closing thoughts and future outlook

(27:50) Sponsor: Athletic Greens

(28:10) Where to subscribe for more interviews

Join Luke Altmyer on ZenGame with Grant Gurtin as he recounts his football journey, from early influences with Dak Prescott to impactful decisions shaped by AJ Brown. Luke discusses the challenges and advantages of choosing Ole Miss, including insights gained from Matt Corral and the support of his surgeon father. He shares his transition to Illinois, navigating the transfer portal, and first interactions with Coach Bilima. Discover how Luke adjusted to Midwest life, found success at Illinois, and embraced humility and learning from failures. The episode highlights the role of faith, experiencing a greater presence on the field, and the special bond within the Illinois team.

(0:00) Luke Altmyer’s early influences and impactful moments with Dak Prescott

(2:13) Introduction to the Zen Game QB show

(3:00) Luke’s college decision and the influence of AJ Brown

(4:07) Challenges of choosing Ole Miss and benefits of having a surgeon father

(7:08) The art of sliding and learning from Matt Corral at Ole Miss

(10:16) Transition from Ole Miss to Illinois and Matt Corral's influence

(13:42) Navigating the transfer portal and first interactions with coach Bilima

(16:33) Adjusting to Midwest life and achieving success at Illinois

(20:00) Embracing humility, learning from failures, and key improvements

(23:14) The role of faith and experiencing a greater presence on the field

(26:31) The special bond within the Illinois team and closing remarks