Desmond Howard, ESPN agree to multi-year contract extension

Desmond Howard has agreed to a multi-year contract extension with ESPN, the network announced Thursday. He is preparing for his 21st season on College GameDay.

In addition to his duties on College GameDay, Howard also plays a role in ESPN’s college football coverage on SportsCenter and other programming throughout the year. He also is on the panel for ABC’s NFL Draft coverage and contributes to the Heisman Trophy ceremony broadcast.

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Howard joined ESPN after 10 seasons in the NFL, winning Super Bowl XXXI MVP and making a Pro Bowl during his career. That came after a Hall of Fame career at Michigan, where he won the 1991 Heisman Trophy.

“I am thrilled to continue this journey with ESPN,” Howard said in a statement. “There’s nothing I’d rather be doing during the fall than showcasing the incredible sport that we all love alongside my College GameDay family.”

While with the Wolverines, Howard had 1,944 yards and 30 touchdowns over three years – including 19 receiving touchdowns as a junior in 1991. He not only won the Heisman that year, but was also a unanimous All-American and the Walter Camp Award winner. Washington then selected him No. 4 overall in the NFL Draft, and he had stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions before his retirement in 2002.

Desmond Howard, College Gameday ready for Week 1

Desmond Howard is one of the central parts of College GameDay every week as the show enters is second year with its new lineup. Nick Saban joined the program last year and Pat McAfee came aboard in 2023. Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit are still mainstays on the show, and the great Lee Corso is preparing for his final broadcast this week before his retirement.

“Desmond has played a pivotal role in ESPN and College GameDay’s success for two decades, so we’re thrilled that the Heisman Trophy winner and one of college football’s all-time greats will continue to offer his analysis and perspective – and, of course, occasional friendly jabs – across our coverage,” said ESPN president of content Burke Magnus in a statement.

College GameDay will head to Columbus this week for a Top-3 showdown and a College Football Playoff rematch. No. 1 Texas will take on No. 3 Ohio State at The Horseshoe after Corso’s final broadcast. He announced his plans to retire earlier this summer, and tributes are pouring in as his final show gets closer.