ESPN has rolled out its lineup of commentators for the 2026‑27 college football season, a slate that shines a spotlight on two familiar faces from Knoxville’s sports scene.
Kris Budden, who spent years at WBIR before moving to Fox News, is now paired with veteran play‑by‑play voice Joe Tessitore and former NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer, bringing a Tennessee perspective to the national broadcast.
Madison Hock, another WBIR alum who joined ESPN full‑time this year, will sit alongside Roxy Bernstein and coach‑turned‑analyst Dave Clawson, adding depth to the network’s ACC coverage.
Knoxville’s Reach Extends Beyond the Smoky Mountains
The inclusion of Budden and Hock is more than a staffing decision; it is a narrative choice that ties the network’s upcoming schedule to the city’s long‑standing football culture.
Fans who have followed the rise and fall of local coaches will recognize the names that pepper the commentary booth, linking past milestones to the present broadcast.
As the new season approaches, the blend of seasoned national voices with home‑grown expertise promises a fresh angle on the games that dominate Saturday afternoons.