Joel Klatt makes his case to be ‘the next Kirk Herbstreit,’ or perhaps something even bigger

For years, Kirk Herbstreit has been the definitive voice of college football, with his ESPN analyst presence and College GameDay contributions often reshaping programs and coaching careers. However, his focus has been broadening, as he delves into the NFL and establishes himself as one of the country's top golden retriever owners. This shift has opened a door for others to fill, including Fox Sports' Joel Klatt.

Klatt, a former Colorado quarterback, openly aspired to become the next Kirk Herbstreit. Over the past decade, he has steadily climbed the ranks of college football media, starting as a high school games commentator, transitioning to college football calling for Fox Sports while hosting radio shows, joining FS1 in 2013, and eventually becoming the network's lead analyst alongside Gus Johnson in 2015.

Klatt's ambition was clear, as he told The Athletic that his ultimate goal was to become a network's lead college football game analyst.

Some of Klatt's notable achievements include launching The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast and his role as the commentator in EA Sports College Football 27. His ascension has not been without controversy, as he's faced criticism for perceived bias toward the Big Ten, which he attributes to Fox's media deal ties. But Klatt has effectively positioned himself as an outsider's perspective in a landscape where ESPN analysts have been accused of manipulating public opinion for financial gain.

Klatt's rise to the top of college football punditry is impressive, but competition looms on the horizon. Fellow analysts Josh Pate, Pat McAfee, and Dave Portnoy are also vying for the crown, with some, like Brendan Kleen and Drew Lerner, asserting that Pate has already surpassed both Herbstreit and Klatt. The fight for the top spot in college football media is far from over, as new contenders constantly emerge, eager to secure the position once held by Herbstreit and Klatt.