THE HERD - Hour 3 - College football reporter Bruce Feldman stops by The Herd

The Herd with Colin Cowherd32mApril 15, 2026

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AI-Generated Summary

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, college football reporter Bruce Feldman joins the show to break down the 2026 NFL Draft, offering deep insights into top prospects and team strategies. Feldman highlights David Bailey as a high-ceiling edge rusher who may be undervalued, praises Arvel Reese as the draft's most talented player with the highest ceiling, and discusses the intriguing quarterback class led by Fernando Mendoza—whose resilience, humility, and cerebral mindset stand out as key strengths. He also spotlights under-the-radar talents like Omar Cooper and Caleb Downs, while analyzing the challenges facing teams like the Panthers in building around Bryce Young. The conversation shifts to broader sports topics, including Shohei Otani’s historic dominance in baseball, the cultural impact of global athletes, and a controversial on-court incident involving LaMelo Ball, which sparks debate over player conduct and league discipline. Throughout, the episode blends analytical depth with human-interest storytelling, emphasizing character, adaptability, and long-term potential over flashy stats. Key takeaways include: 1) Fernando Mendoza’s mental toughness and ability to bounce back from adversity make him a standout quarterback prospect; 2) Arvel Reese has the highest ceiling of any player in the 2026 draft; 3) The NFL draft lacks elite talent, making value picks and fit crucial; 4) Shohei Otani’s dual dominance as pitcher and hitter redefines what’s possible in sports; 5) Player behavior, especially in high-profile incidents, will continue to shape public and league perception. The overall sentiment is positive, with a strong emphasis on growth, resilience, and the human side of elite athletes.

Key Takeaways
1

Fernando Mendoza’s mental resilience and ability to bounce back from mistakes make him a standout quarterback prospect.

2

Arvel Reese is the highest-ceiling player in the 2026 NFL Draft, with elite potential to break out in the NFL.

3

The 2026 NFL Draft lacks elite talent, making fit and value picks more important than raw upside.

4

Shohei Otani’s historic performance in baseball—pitching and hitting at an all-time level—redefines athletic excellence.

5

Player character and composure under pressure are critical predictors of long-term NFL success.

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
4 min

Podcast Promos and Intro

The episode opens with a series of promotional segments for various iHeartRadio podcasts, including The Girlfriends, Thanks Dad, The Nick Dick and Pole Show, The Away End, and Playing Along, setting the stage for the main content.

4:00
6 min

Bruce Feldman Joins The Herd

Colin Cowherd welcomes Bruce Feldman, college football reporter and NFL draft expert, to discuss the 2026 NFL Draft. Feldman introduces his dual mock drafts and sets the tone for a deep dive into player evaluations and team strategies.

10:00
10 min

Top Draft Prospects: Bailey, Reese, and Mendoza

He had moments. You saw it against Iowa where he throws a pick, comes back the next series. It's a close game, tough defense on the road, leads him to a touchdown drive.

Highlight
20:00
10 min

Underrated Talent and Draft Strategy

I think it's the hard part is like if you're going to be the first pick of the draft, there's like a stigma and a lot of stuff that goes with that.

Highlight
30:00
10 min

Shohei Otani and Global Athlete Impact

He's basically Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. No, I mean, he's absolutely right. That's why I say we romanticize baseball's past.

Highlight
High-Impact Quotes
He's basically Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. No, I mean, he's absolutely right. That's why I say we romanticize baseball's past.
Colin Cowherd30:58
Viral: 90.0
He had moments. You saw it against Iowa where he throws a pick, comes back the next series. It's a close game, tough defense on the road, leads him to a touchdown drive.
Bruce Feldman15:38
Viral: 85.0
He's the greatest baseball player to ever play. Really? Yes, absolutely.
CeCe Sabathia30:48
Viral: 80.0
Speakers

Host

Colin Cowherd

Guest

Bruce Feldman
Topics Discussed
2026 NFL Draft Analysis95%Quarterback Prospects and Mental Toughness90%Shohei Otani’s Baseball Dominance85%Player Character and Resilience85%Global Athlete Impact80%NFL Draft Strategy and Team Building75%Athlete Conduct and League Accountability70%College Football and NIL60%
People & Brands

Colin Cowherd

person

20xPositive

Bruce Feldman

person

15xPositive

iHeartRadio

organization

15xNeutral

Fernando Mendoza

person

12xPositive

Shohei Otani

person

10xNeutral

LaMelo Ball

person

8xMixed

Arvel Reese

person

8xPositive

David Bailey

person

7xPositive

Omar Cooper

person

6xPositive

Dodgers

organization

5xPositive

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