As the NFL gears up for yet another season of the coaching carousel, whispers are getting louder about which college football masterminds could make the leap. From storied programs and pedigreed sideline leaders to offensive strategists, someone is surely getting the sniff of it. The college ranks offer plenty of potential. It contains silos of untamed monsters waiting to be unleashed in the coliseum. But did someone ever ask these monsters if they go out or not?

In the new episode of the Move The Sticks podcast. NFL insiders’ analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks pulled out the magnifying glass on some top college coaches who could bring their talents to the NFL. In a pool as deep as college football’s, narrowing it down isn’t easy. But a few names were filtered who are obviously winning the most. Like Dan Lanning, Steve Sarkisian, Ryan Day, Mario Cristobal, Georgia’s Kirby Smart, etc. But it’s not your average 9 to 5 and therefore not all of them are cut out for it. As Jeremiah said, “You have to know the NFL to be successful….like if you don’t know the NFL, you don’t have a shot.” Enter coach Sarks and Smart. Both Sarkisian and Smart bring experience here; Sark spent time as an offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. And Georgia’s “force of nature” was under Nick Saban’s Miami Dolphins staff.

Jeremiah and Brooks argue that successful transitions from college to the NFL often require a bit more than just knowing X’s and O’s—it’s about understanding the NFL grind and the unique locker room dynamics. But they boil down to only: Ryan Day at Ohio State. A few losses may have dimmed the shine for some Buckeyes fans, but Day’s impressive record still ranks among the best in college football. “He’s got the highest winning percentage of anyone in college football history, practically,” Jeremiah added, underscoring Day’s competitive edge. Plus, pairing Day with Chip Kelly, who has valuable NFL head coaching experience, could create a “package deal.” And while Ryan Day may not openly discuss the pressure he faces from the Buckeyes’ relentless fanbase, it’s no secret that NFL teams offer a different kind of scrutiny, which might be a welcome change for him.

But what gives Sark the edge? “NFL experience,” Jeremiah explains. And Sark’s been there, done that. His time as an OC with the Falcons means he knows what’s coming—and it isn’t always an easy adjustment for college coaches. Just look at how Matt Rhule and Urban Meyer struggled. But the Longhorns headshot might not take it, which ultimately leads us to Ryan Day. A viable option and one who would be eager for the jump makes the most sense.

Insiders dream of Ryan Day and Kirby Smart in the big league

For Kirby Smart, the NFL talk is obvious ever since he turned Georgia into a powerhouse. His coaching tenure under Nick Saban in Miami and his relentless success at the college level make him a natural fit for an NFL opportunity. Also, being one of the best personalities in CFB intrigues analysts and fans too. But would he want it? Smart has built something lasting at Georgia, and taking on an NFL challenge would mean walking away from a dynasty in the making.

Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are on the heels of their biggest win of the season. Ohio State triumphed over Penn State in State College last weekend. Looks like he’s championship-bound with the Buckeyes. It would be a telling tale if he makes it to the big league after giving the second-ranked Ohio State what they deserve. However, with Day or even Smart making the leap, the NFL will have some new blood ready to shake up the league.

As teams brace for the coming coaching vacancies, it’s anyone’s guess who might be lured from the college ranks.