COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sitting under a backdrop of Ohio Stadium’s North Rotunda, Lee Corso reached under ESPN College GameDay’s desk and unveiled a tradition that would be synonymous with football for nearly three decades.

Corso, perched between Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit prior to a 1996 meeting between Ohio State and Penn State, surprised viewers by pulling out the headgear of OSU mascot Brutus Buckeye.

That’s how the former coach unveiled his (correct) pick to win the meeting between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions.

Twenty-nine years later, ESPN has an opportunity to send Corso out on a fitting note.

The longtime fixture in college football announced Thursday he’ll be retiring from the show. His final appearance will be Aug. 30 — Week 1 of the 2025 college football season.

The biggest game on the slate will be in Columbus: Ohio State vs. Texas. It’s a matchup potentially featuring the top two teams in the preseason rankings.

Corso’s final headgear segment could come in the spot he made his first one.

His illustrations career on the show started with its inception in 1987 — two years after his head coaching career ended.

About a decade later, he debuted the headgear segment and has made 430 such selections since. Ohio State has been prominently featured.

The Buckeyes have made a record 65 appearances on the show while hosting 25 times. During the 2024 season, Ohio State made six appearances, including four during the College Football Playoff.

Corso has picked the Buckeyes to win 45 times. Perhaps his 431st headgear segment will featured Corso’s 46th time siding with his “first true love” — Brutus.