ESPN “College GameDay” is headed to Happy Valley in Week 10 to take in a Big Ten battle between the Penn State Nittany Lions and Ohio State Buckeyes, a matchup with serious College Football Playoff ramifications.
It will be the first time in three years the GameDay crew is at Penn State, with the last appearance coming in 2021 against the Auburn Tigers.
This season has featured an array of different types of celebrity guest pickers, from Terry Saban to Kaitlin Olson to Kyle Schwarber, and there is no shortage of exciting options to choose from in Week 10.
Previous guest pickers in Happy Valley include running back Ki-Jana Carter in 2017, actor Keegan Michael-Key in 2018, journalist Lara Spencer in 2019, quarterback Trace McSorley in 2020, and running back Saquon Barkley in 2021.
While they could all be options again, let’s take a look at some new options GameDay could choose for Saturday’s show.
Former Football Players
John Cappelletti is Penn State’s only Heisman Trophy winner, taking home the award back in 1973, and it would be fun to see him and Lee Corso talking about the old Big Ten days on the show.
Olu Fashanu is a much, much younger option, as the most recent Penn State alumni to get selected in the top 20 of the NFL draft, going No. 11 overall in 2024. The Jets play Thursday, so Fashanu has the weekend off and could be a fun familiar face to have back on campus.
Speaking of familiar faces, wide receiver Jahan Dotson won’t be too far away with the Eagles playing a home game on Sunday against Jacksonville. The 2022 first round pick is in his first season with the Eagles, and would be a welcome return to campus for Penn State fans.
The Nittany Lions have a history of developing extremely talented running backs, and while Saquon Barkley has already done the GameDay scene it would be fun to see another NFL Pro Bowl back, Larry Johnson, in the mix on Saturday. Johnson made two Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro twice in a decorated nine-year NFL career spent mostly with Kansas City.
Other Options
Lisa Salters is a highly decorated journalist who has worked for ESPN for nearly 25 years, making her a clear option to join the GameDay crew. An alumni of Penn State and the shortest player to ever play for the women’s basketball team, Salters’ experience behind the mic and connection to the school should have her in this conversation.
Mary Ellen Clark is a wildcard option, but the former Olympic diver and two-time bronze medalist attended both Penn State and Ohio State, making her a fun choice if she can take time away from her job as the head diving coach at Amherst College.
Speaking of olympians, my top choice would be gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, who became a media sensation this summer for his performance on the pommel horse and trademark eyeglasses. Nedoroscik won a pair of medals in Paris, and appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Today Show,” Season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars,” and was a co-presenter at the “76th Primetime Emmy Awards.”
His recent fame and connection to the school make him an obvious choice.