Stan Verrett to Fill Role of Late John Saunders as Host of Football Saturdays on ABC

Stan Verrett will host COLLEGE FOOTBALL Saturdays on ABC this fall, filling the role of the late John Saunders who had held the position on ABC's COLLEGE FOOTBALL studio set since 1992.

"John Saunders was a mentor and friend who helped me navigate my career at ESPN and was always ready with a kind word and timely advice," said Verrett. "His easy manner and comfortable style welcomed COLLEGE FOOTBALL fans every week for years on ESPN and ABC. He was a fantastic host.

"There's a tremendous legacy there, and I am both humbled and excited to have the opportunity to add to it."

Verrett, who has worked for ESPN since 2000 and most notably anchors the 1 a.m. ET edition of SPORTSCENTER from Los Angeles, will work alongside COLLEGE FOOTBALL analysts Mack Brown and Mark May for pre and postgame, as well as halftime wraps. ABC COLLEGE FOOTBALL studio coverage will continue to air out of ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Conn.

ESPN has hired Miami Hurricane National Champion, SUPER BOWL Champion and three-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Vilma as a COLLEGE FOOTBALL studio analyst. Vilma will be reunited with his former Hurricane head coach and current ESPN COLLEGE FOOTBALL analyst Butch Davis on Saturdays on ESPN2 with Chris Cotter hosting during pre and postgame, as well as halftime wraps.

Prior to being hired at ESPN, Vilma was a COLLEGE FOOTBALL studio analyst for NBC Sports (2015) and an NFL studio analyst for NBC Sports Network and Bleacher Report (2014). Dating back to his COLLEGE FOOTBALL career, Vilma was the middle linebacker on the 2001 Hurricanes National Championship team, leading the team in tackles that season. Vilma was a first round pick in the 2004 NFL DRAFT by the New York Jets and was awarded the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Coral Gables native would be named to the PRO BOWL three times and win SUPER BOWL XLIV with the New Orleans Saints during his NFL career before retiring in 2014.

For the second consecutive year, COLLEGE FOOTBALL analysts Joey Galloway and Danny Kanell, with Adnan Virk hosting, will be on ESPN for pre and postgame, as well as halftime wraps this fall. Additionally, this season, the trio will work COLLEGE FOOTBALL FINAL at the conclusion of each Saturday's game action.

Image courtesy of ESPN

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