Hard Knocks, the acclaimed NFL documentary show, will feature No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears this year. But what if there was a college football edition? Here are the five teams we’d most want to watch on our TVs this summer.
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Beginning with the 2024 season, Notre Dame and Peacock will debut their own annual season-long documentary similar to HBO’s hit series. And Netflix is nearing a deal with the SEC to produce a football show along the lines of what they’ve done for F1’s “Drive to Survive” and the PGA Tour’s “Full Swing.”
Thus, we could be nearing a real college football Hard Knocks soon, but until then, let’s have some fun.
Colorado Buffaloes
Prime Time on prime time? Yes, please! Deion Sanders was made for television, and he’s kept his and Colorado’s names in the news cycle this offseason. A lot is riding on the team’s performance this season, making their training camp all the more enticing to watch. But Deion isn’t the only Sanders worth screen time.
QB and prospect first-round pick Shedeur Sanders is a character in his own right, as is his brother Shilo, the Buffaloes’ defensive leader at safety. Then there is Travis Hunter, the do-it-all star whose highlight reel would bring in the viewers on its own.
Texas Longhorns
Fresh off a College Football Playoff berth, it’s safe to say Texas is officially back. Steve Sarkisian is one of the best offensive minds in the sport and has his own polarizing personality. But its the QB room that would draw the most eyes.
Quinn Ewers is a poster child of the NIL era and quieted a lot of doubters last season. However, as long as the most famous recruit of the last decade is on the roster in Arch Manning, Ewers’ job will never truly be safe.
Yet, it doesn’t stop there, as the Longhorns attacked the transfer portal for talented players fans will want to see: WRs Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden, and Silas Bolden, TE Amari Niblack, EDGE Trey Moore, and DB Andrew Mukuba.
Ole Miss Rebels
Lane Kiffin. Does anything else need to be said? Surrounding the social media-friendly head coach is a talented returning roster infused with several high-pedigree transfers. WR Antwane Wells Jr., DT Walter Nolen, and EDGE Princely Umanmielen would provide eccentric sound bites, as would a peek behind the curtain of the four-man running back battle.
I’d be remiss not to mention some surprise visits from Juice Kiffin, the unofficial mascot of the Rebels and Lane’s dog-child.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Cornhuskers haven’t had more than five wins in a single season since 2016, but the hype is real entering Year 2 of the Matt Rhule era. Five-star QB Dylan Raiola has received rave reviews this offseason and is one of the few true freshmen slated to start under center in 2024.
Seeing how he develops in real time would rile up the “QB1: Beyond the Lights” fanbase, and the Cornhuskers have the weapons on the outside to put up points. Throw in an impressive defense led by CB Tommi Hill and DB Malcolm Hartzog, and you have the makings of a must-watch program.
UAB Blazers
UAB head coach Trent Dilfer is no stranger to hot takes and sideline tirades. He was an unusual hire, as his only coaching experience came at Lipscomb Academy High School in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Unfortunately, his fiery personality didn’t translate to success on the field, as UAB suffered their first losing season since 2013, going 4-8. The pressure will be on Dilfer to produce results in 2024, and it would be entertaining to watch that pressure create a Group of Five diamond or burst the Blazers’ pipes.
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