Possible celebrity guest pickers eyed for ESPN College GameDay ahead of Ohio State-Texas clash
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The spotlight isn’t only on No. 3 Ohio State’s 2025 season opener against No. 1 Texas at Ohio Stadium. ESPN College GameDay will also captivate viewers as Lee Corso prepares to make his final headgear pick in his on-air role. The big question: which star will join him on set as the guest picker?
Travis and/or Jason Kelce (and Taylor Swift?)
– The Kelce brothers, Cleveland Heights High School alumni who played college football at Cincinnati, are among the top-listed options. With Travis’ high-profile engagement to Taylor Swift, there’s speculation the pop super star could join if invited.
Alison Herbstreit
– Alison Herbstreit, a former Buckeyes cheerleader and wife of Kirk Herbstreit, has historical ties to GameDay’s on-air history, including helping secure the Brutus Buckeye headgear for the show in 1996.
Eli and/or Peyton Manning
– The Manning family’s football cachet is legendary, and with Arch Manning set to start at quarterback for Texas, ESPN could pair Eli and Peyton for a memorable duo on set.
Scottie Scheffler and/or Jack Nicklaus
– Scottie Scheffler, who has ties to Texas as a former Longhorn, could appear, potentially alongside golf legend Jack Nicklaus, who could join in given his Buckeye and Ohio roots.
LeBron James
– Akron native LeBron James has publicly supported Ohio State in the past and has attended major OSU games. His appearance would bring cross-sport appeal, though NBA schedules could complicate availability.
JD Vance
– Ohio native and OSU alumnus JD Vance has shown vocal support for the Buckeyes, making him a plausible guest option off the political and national-interest angle.
Machine Gun Kelly
– Cleveland-area musician Machine Gun Kelly has served as a familiar voice in the college football media landscape, making him another potential guest picker.
Former Buckeyes
– As the NFL season opens, a number of former Buckeyes could descend on Columbus for the weekend. At least 57 OSU alumni made initial 53-man rosters this season, with names spanning from Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to Steelers rookie Will Howard.
What to watch for
– The guest picker lineup, if announced, could amplify fan engagement across social media and enhance GameDay’s pregame narrative as OSU tries to spoil Texas’ high-powered start.
– The game itself features a clash of top-ranked programs and could set the tone for the season, with Arch Manning’s Texas debut adding a thematic angle for potential guest pairings.
Summary
– ESPN College GameDay is weighing a star-studded guest picker slate to accompany Lee Corso for the Ohio State-Texas season opener, blending football royalty, cross-sport icons, and notable OSU alumni in anticipation of a nationally televised, highly anticipated kickoff.
Positive note
– Regardless of which celebrity or former player appears, the edition of GameDay promises to heighten excitement around a showcase matchup and highlight Ohio State’s strong alumni and fan connections extending beyond football.
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