ESPN's Lee Corso Ends Career at Ohio State, Family Disappointed Over Florida State Exclusion

Lee Corso, the longtime ESPN College GameDay analyst, will retire after the Week 1 game of the 2025 college football season, with his final show set for August 30th during the Ohio State vs. Texas matchup. Although many hoped Corso would conclude his career at his alma mater Florida State University, ESPN chose to host the final broadcast in Columbus, Ohio, where Corso made his first headgear pick nearly 30 years ago. This decision disappointed Corso's family, who are Seminole fans, but they acknowledged it will still be special to see his last headgear pick in Columbus. Corso played quarterback and cornerback at Florida State in the 1950s, setting a school record with 14 interceptions and also serving as a graduate assistant, while also playing baseball and sharing a room with Burt Reynolds. Florida State’s Week 1 game against Alabama is a significant matchup, but ESPN selected the Ohio State-Texas game due to its higher national profile, including a College Football Playoff rematch and Ohio State being the defending national champion. Despite the family's disappointment, Corso’s legacy as a beloved figure in college football and his consistent celebration of the sport’s tradition and entertainment value remain widely respected.