College football never stops moving. From emotional moments at the NFL Combine to major structural debates about the College Football Playoff and NIL legislation, the sport continues to evolve at a rapid pace. On the March 3rd, 2026 episode of The Unafraid Show, George Wrighster dove into several of the biggest storylines shaping college football today—including a moment at the NFL Combine that hit close to home.
Topics From the Show:
KC Concepcion’s Combine Moment Hits Different
Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion delivered one of the most meaningful moments of the NFL Combine when he openly addressed his stutter while speaking to the media. For most viewers, it may have simply been a heartfelt moment. For Wrighster, it meant much more.
Wrighster, a lifelong stutterer who spent years in speech therapy growing up, immediately connected with Concepcion’s courage to speak publicly on one of the biggest stages in football.
Public speaking can be daunting for anyone, but for people who stutter, the pressure can be overwhelming—especially in high-profile environments like the NFL Combine where every word is scrutinized.
Wrighster explained that moments like these often come with fear and anxiety. The fear of stuttering publicly can prevent people from speaking up at all. That’s why seeing Concepcion stand confidently in front of cameras and answer questions meant so much.
The moment also tied directly into Wrighster’s upcoming book “Stutterbox,” which chronicles his experiences growing up with a speech impediment and how those challenges shaped his life both positively and negatively.
For Wrighster, Concepcion’s moment wasn’t just inspiring—it represented something bigger: the courage to embrace your challenges publicly and move forward anyway.
Coaches Push for a 24-Team Playoff
The debate around expanding the College Football Playoff continues to intensify, and two coaches recently made their position clear.
Wrighster believes their support is not surprising.
Programs that consistently rank in the 13–24 range would directly benefit from playoff expansion. For those schools, a larger playoff field dramatically increases their chances of making the postseason and gaining national exposure.
However, Wrighster warned that expanding the playoff could come with unintended consequences—especially when it comes to scheduling.
Many programs have already begun scheduling weaker non-conference opponents to pad their win totals. Expanding the playoff could accelerate that trend, as teams look to maximize wins rather than challenge themselves with high-profile matchups.
Wrighster argues that college football fans actually want the opposite.
Fans want meaningful games.
With only 12 guaranteed games per season, filling the schedule with “easy wins” undermines the excitement of the sport and weakens the regular season.
Instead, Wrighster believes conferences and television networks will eventually push for more Power Four matchups, potentially requiring programs to play 10 or even 11 games against Power Four opponents to improve TV inventory.
Because at the end of the day, college football is also part of the entertainment business—and networks want compelling games.
Mississippi’s NIL Tax Bill Sparks Debate
Another major development came out of the state of Mississippi, where the state House passed a bill that would exempt NIL earnings from state income tax.
If finalized, the legislation would give schools like Ole Miss and Mississippi State a recruiting advantage by allowing athletes to keep more of their NIL money.
But the issue is more complicated than it appears.
Wrighster pointed out an important truth about NIL that often gets overlooked:
Most of what is called “NIL money” today is actually pay-for-play compensation, not traditional endorsements tied to an athlete’s name, image, or likeness.
Still, the proposed tax exemption raises important questions.
Potential Benefits
Many athletes earning NIL money are not making millions. In fact, the majority earn between $25,000 and $100,000 annually.
Much of that money goes toward helping their families, paying bills back home, or covering living expenses. Eliminating state taxes could allow athletes to keep more of those earnings.
It could also help prevent tax-related mistakes from young athletes who may not yet fully understand financial management.
Potential Downsides
On the other hand, the policy could create resentment among taxpayers who still have to pay income taxes themselves.
It also removes an opportunity for athletes to learn important financial skills, including tax planning—knowledge that becomes essential once they leave college and enter the professional world.
Wrighster ultimately sees both sides of the argument and believes the issue highlights the growing intersection of state politics and college football recruiting.
Johnny Manziel Mentoring Diego Pavia Raises Questions
Another intriguing storyline involves Johnny Manziel mentoring Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.
At first glance, the pairing seems unusual.
Manziel remains one of the most controversial figures in modern college football history, and his NFL career was derailed by off-field issues.
Yet Wrighster acknowledged that sometimes the best mentors are people who have experienced failure firsthand.
Recovering addicts often help others because they understand the struggle personally. In that sense, Manziel could potentially provide valuable perspective to Pavia.
However, Wrighster also questioned whether Manziel has fully demonstrated the kind of accountability typically seen from other former athletes who turned their lives around—players like Michael Vick, Ryan Leaf, or Maurice Clarett.
Pavia described Manziel as someone who checks in regularly and offers advice about navigating the NFL process.
Whether that mentorship ultimately helps or hurts Pavia remains to be seen.
Which Schools Dominated the NFL Combine?
Later in the show, Wrighster was joined by analyst Ralph Amsden to break down the schools that produced the most impressive NFL Combine performances.
Among the programs that stood out:
Oregon
The Ducks showcased elite athleticism across multiple prospects. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq delivered one of the most jaw-dropping performances in Combine history, including:
- A 4.3-second 40-yard dash
- A 43.5-inch vertical jump
- An 11-foot broad jump
Sadiq’s numbers were among the best ever recorded for a tight end.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes once again produced elite NFL prospects. Defensive standouts like Sonny Styles and Lorenzo Styles Jr. posted remarkable athletic testing numbers, reinforcing Ohio State’s reputation for developing NFL-ready players.
Oklahoma and Georgia
Both programs continued their long-standing tradition of producing physically dominant prospects, with strong showings across multiple positions.
Surprise Standout: Arkansas
One of the biggest surprises came from Arkansas, where several players—including quarterback Taylen Green and running back Mike Washington—delivered impressive athletic performances that could boost their draft stock.
2026 NFL Combine News and Notes
The 2026 NFL Combine delivered plenty of eye-opening performances, but a few individual stories stood out more than the rest. One of the biggest winners was running back Mike Washington, who turned heads with one of the fastest 40-yard dash times among running backs. Washington’s journey itself is notable—he began his career at Buffalo, transferred to New Mexico State, and ultimately finished at Arkansas. His final season with the Razorbacks put him firmly on the radar, but his combine performance confirmed what scouts were starting to suspect: Washington has the athletic profile to translate to the next level.
Another Arkansas player drawing attention was quarterback Taylen Green, whose testing numbers were nothing short of outrageous. At 6’6”, 227 pounds, Green ran a 4.36 forty-yard dash and posted a 43.5-inch vertical, giving him one of the highest athleticism scores at the entire combine. The performance reminded some observers of former Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones, who famously ran a blazing forty at the combine before being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a wide receiver. The comparison raises an interesting question about Green’s future. While he has the physical tools to remain at quarterback, his size and speed also make him an intriguing developmental option at other positions, particularly wide receiver or even safety.
Two defensive backs from Washington also generated buzz: Ephesians Prysock and Takario Davis. Both corners have rare size for the position—6’3” and 6’4”—yet they moved like much smaller defensive backs. Scouts often assume corners with that type of length will run in the mid-4.5 range, but both players showed legitimate 4.4 speed while also demonstrating physicality and tackling ability. Their size-speed combination drew comparisons to former Denver Broncos corner Lenny Walls, a similarly oversized defensive back who used his length to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage.
There were also conversations about several intriguing prospects whose combine performances raised questions or boosted intrigue. Indiana corner D’Angelo Ponds, standing just 5’9”, posted a remarkable 43-inch vertical jump, showing elite explosiveness. The challenge for Ponds will be matching up against the increasingly large NFL receivers, but his quickness and coverage skills could make him a valuable slot defender.
Wide receiver Jordan Tyson also drew attention after posting 26 bench press reps, though some observers questioned his form during the exercise. Regardless, the performance confirmed his reputation as a strong, physical receiver.
Finally, Washington running back Jonah Coleman impressed teams during interviews as much as workouts. A self-described 4.0 student, Coleman emphasized the importance of pass protection for running backs, demonstrating a maturity and football IQ that teams value when projecting players to the next level.
The Finale: Blind Ranking the Best Pass Catchers
Then came the fun part: Wrighster and Amsden closed with a blind ranking of 10 pass catchers (WRs + TEs) headed to the NFL draft. The catch? George had to slot each name without knowing who was coming next—and Ralph admitted he was trying (just a little) to trap him.
Here’s how it went down.
George’s Blind Top 10 Pass Catcher Rankings
1) Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon, TE)
George didn’t hesitate—he called Sadiq the safest bet for a 10-year NFL career. His comp: George Kittle, but more athletic, because he blocks with the same nasty intention and brings elite movement skills.
2) Jordan Tyson (Arizona State, WR)
Health concerns exist, but George has been on Tyson since the Colorado days. The Combine strength numbers (even with some “form debate”) plus his ball tracking made him a near-lock at No. 2.
3) Denzel Boston (Washington, WR)
George called him a “dude dude.” He put him at No. 3 believing Ralph left some big names off the list—and because some evaluators think Boston could be the first WR taken.
4) Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana, WR)
Originally placed at No. 3, George adjusted to No. 4 to keep space for elite names he assumed were coming. Cooper’s production (69 catches, 937 yards, 13 TDs) and his national-title moment pushed him high.
5) Elijah Surratt (Indiana, WR)
George initially tried to stash him lower, then talked himself into moving him up because of the way Surratt has consistently leveled up—from James Madison to Indiana to national-level production.
6) Makai Lemon (USC, WR)
Despite calling the personality “menacing” earlier, George respected the player: route-running, production, and competitiveness. His only hesitation was speed and role—slot value vs outside WR value.
7) Michael Trigg (Baylor, TE)
George likes the athlete and the maturity shown during the incident involving Baylor’s AD (which ended with the AD out). Transfers didn’t bother him much in today’s era, and he sees upside.
8) Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt, TE)
The former QB-turned-weapon gets slotted at No. 8. George likes him, but he liked Trigg’s ceiling more.
9) Eric McAllister (TCU, WR)
Amsden called him dominant in stretches. George kept space and placed him at No. 9, hedging for what he believed would be a stacked finish.
10) Carnell Tate (WR)
This is where the blind ranking gimmick bites you. Tate lands at 10—not because George thinks he’s a low-tier prospect, but because the board got filled before Tate arrived. George said he’s fine with it, but noted the Combine 40 controversy: an official 4.52 vs reported hand times around 4.47. His advice? if you know the 40 might not help, do what JSN did—run it once, at Pro Day.
The Name That Never Got Drafted (But Owned the Show)
Ralph teased it at the end: the one player George was “saving space for” was KC Concepcion—the same guy who opened the episode with that powerful Combine moment. George laughed and admitted if Concepcion had been on the list, he would’ve “torn the whole thing up.”
