Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth

Latest Episodes:

Dual Mentality - Roddy Jones Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

The NFL Combine is underway with players arriving and the on-field workouts beginning Thursday, and as always, the spotlight is on the quarterbacks. While Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders won’t be throwing, he’s still expected to be the talk of the week in Indianapolis.

This week on Y-Option fueled by our founding partner 76, ESPN and SiriusXM broadcaster Roddy Jones joined me to break down the quarterbacks at the NFL Combine. We discussed his unique experience calling 4 Colorado games this season and his thoughts on how Shedeur Sanders will fit into an NFL locker room. Roddy also shared his insights on other top signal-callers, including Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, and Dillon Gabriel.

As a former dual-sport athlete growing up in Atlanta who was even drafted by the Chicago White Sox, Roddy brings a unique perspective on Deion Sanders and his impact. His approach as an analyst is equally distinctive, and what has always stood out to me is his humility, which was on full display in our conversation.

If you’re craving more NFL Combine content, be sure to check out last week's episode with Mark Sanchez or my conversation with Dillon Gabriel. As always, I appreciate your constant support for Y-Option!

Much love and stay steady,Yogi

This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren

This podcast is a Best Coast Media production

Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

Mark Sanchez - Quarterback Options Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

I met Mark Sanchez in the fall of 2005. It was my first season at USC and our team was regarded as the best in the history of the game. Mark was a rising star in Southern California as a freshman quarterback with a rocket arm and an infectious personality. I was a 22-year-old transplant from Pennsylvania who fell in love with the Pacific, the USC football vibe and everything LA had to offer.

As a young coach you are often seeking to find your way, and that way is usually through the lens of those mentoring you. At USC in 2005 those mentors included Pete Carroll, Steve Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin and others. And in the QB room, it was a Who's Who of college football. Matt Leinart was coming off a Heisman campaign, John David Booty was his heir apparent with Mark Sanchez waiting in the wings.

He and I became close friends as we both found our footing at USC. From two different coasts it was clear from Day 1 that we had the same goals – compete to do things better than they had ever been done before, master this unique offense and begin the path to mastery around quarterback play.

We both learned quickly that one is never a master at this position, but both of us became obsessed with that craft.

As the NFL Combine approaches, Mark Sanchez is our guest on this week's Y-Option podcast, fueled by our founding partner 76. We dove into the nuances of the position, what matters most for a QB to find success in the NFL and took a deep dive into the Las Vegas Raiders as Mark is the ONLY quarterback to start for both a Pete Carroll (USC) AND Chip Kelly (Eagles) led team.

And yes, we also went down memory lane while talking in depth about one of his favorite plays, Y-Option.

Have a great weekend and thank you for the support - none of this is possible without our community and love pouring into it while getting to know the new subscribers along the way.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

P.S. I just spent a few days in Tuscaloosa and those stories plus an in-depth interview with Kalen DeBoer will be coming next week. Stay turned to @YOptionFB & @YOptionCFB on social media for all things college football through the lens of the West Coast.

This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren

This podcast is a Best Coast Media production

Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

Dillon Gabriel - Finding "It" Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

Years ago, I was on the Elite 11 quarterback camp tour and kept hearing coaches talking about QBs having the “It Factor.” It was as though everywhere I turned that phrase was being thrown around. As time would pass, it felt as though that became the most overused and undefinable phrase in football. So in the summer of 2016, a few of us set out to truly understand what it meant to have the It Factor and I would direct the film titled The It Factory.

We canvassed the nation, asking premiere coaches, players and broadcasters to share their explanation of that phrase. It was fascinating as the nuances behind that phrase were so unique.

The conclusion: those that have the It Factor walk into a room and people feel their presence…AND they make everyone in that room better.

Dillon Gabriel is exactly that.

He joined the Y-Option podcast over the weekend in our Venice Beach studio where he reflected on his record breaking year in Eugene, the impact of the Oregon staff, how he is preparing to actualize a childhood dream, his parents impact on him, and yes, to discuss his It Factor. He also accepted one of our final 4 season-ending awards in collaboration with our founding partner 76, as we named Dillon “My 5-Star QB” of the Year.

The authentic nature of Dillon’s personality is infectious, as I’ve seen him in rooms full of high school quarterbacks, in the Oregon football facility, around Heisman winners or literally in my kitchen with my family. I’d go as far to say that his It Factor is the most impressive my eyes have ever seen in 25 years around major college football. And yes, I know what I’m saying when I write that.

Dillon Gabriel is a special talent and the NFL franchise that he lands at in late April will have a dynamic leader in their QB room.

How do you define the It Factor? Who has it? Can you cultivate it?

I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments at Y-Option.com or on social media as we truly enter the offseason in the sport we love.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren

This podcast is a Best Coast Media production

Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

Kenjon Barner - 2 Birds, 3 Rings Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Fly Eagles Fly!

The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs to win this year's Super Bowl. As a Pennsylvania native, I’ve seen the passion from Philly fans since I was a child. Watching them dominate this past Sunday, I had Randall Cunningham memories flooding my mind.

For former Eagle and Oregon Ducks’ Hall of Famer Kenjon Barner, he too was going down memory lane this weekend. A member of the Super Bowl LII Champions in 2018, Kenjon holds a special place for Eagle fans and the City of Brotherly Love in his heart. He shared the impact of that team on the latest episode of the Y-Option podcast, sponsored by our founding partner 76.

Barner, a 3-time Super Bowl champ, is one of two players in NFL history to have Super Bowl rings from 3 different franchises (along with Matt Millen) and each one was unique. From Philly when he was a return specialist to New England the following season when he was not even on the roster during the Super Bowl to being in Tampa Bay during the COVID season with Tom Brady, the path that Barner was on to garner 3 rings is as unique as any in the NFL.

Like every player, Kenjon also navigated the transition from playing to life off the gridiron. Now, he hosts the podcast Ducks of a Feather, alongside former Oregon All-American running back Jonathan Stewart, where they share insights and analysis on the reigning B1G champions.

Overall, our conversation is a positive listen for any player navigating recruiting while also providing a lens on life through the eyes of a player who has been at epic highs while navigating life post playing career and the natural lows that come with that.

Hope you enjoy today’s conversation with my colleague, friend and former Oregon Duck, Kenjon Barner.

Much love and Stay Steady,

Yogi

This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.

This podcast is a Best Coast Media production

Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

Y-Option Extra: Pete Carroll Butterfly Effect Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.y-option.com

The butterfly effect was popularized by a meteorologist in the 1960s while studying weather patterns. His discovery proved that a tiny change in the weather could lead to a variety of different outcomes. The same could be said for the coaching profession.

Last year, Nick Saban’s retirement impacted coaches in Tuscaloosa, Seattle, Tuscon, San Jose and many more. This year the Pete Carroll hire by the Las Vegas Raiders has done a similar thing.

In this Y-Option Extra conversation, exclusively for our paid subscribers, we take a deep dive into the ripple effect of his hire with Chip Kelly becoming his offensive coordinator, Brennan Carroll leaving Washington to be the Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach and how Ohio State and UW have or will respond.

Mack Brown - Lessons in Leadership Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

I can recall the moment like it was yesterday. USC vs Texas. The Rose Bowl. Burnt orange filling up one half of the iconic stadium and cardinal and gold filling up the other. A sunset for the ages. Keith Jackson. Pete Carroll. Mack Brown. Matt Leinart. Reggie Bush. And of course, Vince Young.

I’ve yet to watch that game back, as it was the finale of my first year on the USC staff, but since that day I’ve always had great regard for the Texas head coach, Mack Brown. A few years ago he joined my podcast and since that conversation, I’ve always perked up when he would speak about the game we all adore.

Coach Brown is a Hall of Fame and National Championship winning coach, but he is also a guardian of the game. His lens on the current state of the game, his advice to current coaches and his infectious energy are traits that we all can learn from and I’m honored to have him on today’s Y-Option podcast, thanks to our founding partner 76.

We reflected back on his career, how he navigated the pressures in coaching and even some of his regrets.

What landed most was his sage advice to coaches as we dove into the topic of “self-compassion” in coaching, or the lack thereof. And can’t we all use a little bit of that in today’s world? I know I can.

Hope you enjoy today’s conversation with the legendary coach, Mack Brown.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren

This podcast is a Best Coast Media production

Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

Sleeping Giant No More - ASU AD Graham Rossini Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Fresh off of an epic football season, Arizona State Athletics Director Graham Rossini joins the Y-Option podcast for the 2nd time, thanks to our founding partners at 76. I can recall my first year coaching at USC and our game at ASU. It was an epic back-and-forth showdown and while the Trojans were able to win it late, I left ASU with the feeling that many others have always felt, “ASU is a sleeping giant.”

After the Sun Devils run from being picked dead last in the preseason to becoming the Big 12 champions who took Texas to the absolute brink in the CFP all while being led by a rising star in Kenny Dillingham, it’s safe to assume that that giant is fully awakened.

Graham and I dove into the year that was in Tempe, his leadership style and how he has guided this athletic department as he recently extended the contracts of Coach Dillingham and both coordinators, Brian Ward and Marcus Arroyo. He also shared what it was like on the field postgame with Coach Dillingham after big wins (aka “I was one of these guys!”) and what was said in the ASU locker room after the CFP loss.

Always thoughtful, Graham explained his lens on the current CFP model and what it was like to represent the West Coast in major college football in a powerful way this season.

Personally, it’s been a joy to watch Graham lead the Sun Devils and take risks, or as he likes to say, “say yes, and figure out the details.”

Thank you for reading today’s newsletter and if you enjoy the lessons learned from today’s podcast please share it with a friend, as your support of Y-Option allows us to continue to grow this community of thoughtful and connected fans of the game we all love.

Much love,

Yogi

P.S. Hope you’re getting your off-season workouts in!

This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.

This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.

Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

Coming Full Circle - Ben Hartsock Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

In the afterglow of the CFP National Championship Game, former Ohio State Buckeye Ben Hartsock joins Y-Option to share his joy, insight and analysis on the best team in the 2024-25 season, as well as answer the question of “What wins?” when it comes to building a team in college football.

As the season concluded, both Jim Thornby and I reflect back on Monday night’s game, the longest season in the history of college football and debate whether the regular season is becoming devalued.

I also play the “What If” game regarding this Ohio State team against some of the greatest teams of the 21st century: Miami in 2001, USC in 2005, LSU in 2019 or Alabama in 2020. Ultimately, we conclude that it’s a rather impossible comparison but one that reminds us that college football is in a new era on various levels.

Most importantly, we know it’s been a long season and we want to say thank you to all of you for the time and dialogue around our guests and college football through the lens of the West Coast.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby & edited by Victor Ren.

This podcast is a Best Coast Media production

Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

Y-Option Extra: Transfer Portal Shrinking? Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.y-option.com

Dear Y-Option Community,

We’re excited to bring you the first bonus podcast of the season. In this insightful conversation for paid subscribers only, we dive into the recently proposed changes surrounding the transfer portal and the college football calendar—topics that are sure to impact the future of the sport.

In the episode, we explore:

* How the new tra…

A B1G Moment coming on Monday? Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

The CFP National Championship Game is a few days away and Big Ten expert Anthony Herron joins Y-Option, thanks to our founding partner 76, to dive into the key matchups in the Notre Dame vs. Ohio State game.

A long-time friend, Anthony has such a unique lens on the game, covering high school all-star games, college football and the NFL for his hometown Chicago Bears. Fortunately, I’ve been able to call him a colleague for the better part of the last decade, first at the Pac-12 Network and now at the Big Ten Network.

Anthony and I also explore the current recruiting landscape, as Anthony is the lead analyst for the All-American Bowl on NBC and has seen student-athletes become businessmen as well during this transactional era of college football. It’s fascinating insight from someone who is a true expert on all things football.

Jim Thornby and I also dive into the coaching matchup with Ryan Day and Marcus Freeman, as well as our predictions for the game.

I’ll be in Chicago on Monday, covering the game for the Big Ten Network from the studio so be sure to follow along on social media for insight and opinions from the finale of this brilliant season!

Much love,

Yogi

This episode is executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.

This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.

Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

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