yahoo
When ESPN's College GameDay sets up in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 26, for the SEC showdown between No. 14 Tennessee and No. 1 Texas, the program will need a celebrity guest picker. The matchup features the Volunteers hosting the Longhorns for the first time as conference rivals, adding extra intrigue to an already marquee event.
Several notable figures with ties to Tennessee and college football culture have emerged as possible options for the guest picker spot. Here are some of the leading candidates ESPN might consider.
Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen, one of the biggest names in country-pop music today, has already sparked speculation after recently releasing Tennessee-themed merchandise. The drop included a shirt that reads "Tennessee vs. Texas" with the game date of Sept. 26, 2026, printed on it, making the timing seem more than coincidental. The 33-year-old singer hails from Sneedville, Tennessee, roughly a 90-minute drive from Knoxville. He also has a song titled "Tennessee Fan," which tells the story of converting a girl from Alabama into a Volunteers supporter. Given his local roots and cultural relevance, Wallen appears to be an obvious choice.
Kenny Chesney
Another country music star, Kenny Chesney, was born in Knoxville and is a devoted Tennessee fan, though he earned his degree from East Tennessee State. The 58-year-old appeared on ESPN's First Take on Sept. 17 to discuss the Volunteers, leading some to wonder if the appearance was a warm-up for a GameDay role. Chesney would likely be a popular pick among fans.
Johnny Knoxville
Johnny Knoxville, a Knoxville native and co-creator of the Jackass series, would bring a relevant and unpredictable energy to the show. His chaotic style could fire up the crowd, and he has been increasingly visible around Tennessee fandom. Knoxville frequently attends games and has previously stated he hopes his son will play baseball at Tennessee.
Bianca Belair
WWE Smackdown wrestler Bianca Belair would be a repeat guest picker for College GameDay, having last appeared in 2022 for the Tennessee-Florida game. ESPN has previously used the guest picker spot for promotional purposes, and with the network now airing WWE events, Belair makes sense as a crossover option. Her status as a Tennessee fan and her experience in front of cameras would also make her compelling television.
Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning's nephew, Arch Manning, is Texas's starting quarterback, a storyline that has been widely covered. GameDay would presumably welcome Peyton Manning, but whether he would accept is uncertain. Manning has said he prioritizes family over his alma mater, though he remains a loyal Volunteers supporter. "I love my university, my alma mater. Pull for them unconditionally," Manning said. "But nothing's more important than my family, and when you have a nephew playing, I pull very hard for him every single Saturday. So that's pretty much a no-brainer, pulling for your nephew to play well. But like I said everybody knows pretty strongly where my loyalties lie on all other Saturdays. The University of Tennessee." Manning is expected to attend the Sept. 26 game, cheering first for his nephew and then for the Volunteers.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will be 'College GameDay' guest picker for Tennessee-Texas? Some potential options.
Originally reported by yahoo.