The LetterWinner Podcast

LetterWinner Pod: Remembering Nic Smith, the Future of College Sports & UK’s New Era Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton open the LetterWinner Pod with sponsor notes and then react to the death of UK redshirt freshman defensive lineman Nic Smith, discussing the impact on his family, teammates, and the need for better mental-health support for athletes. They pivot to the shifting business and legal...

Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton kick off Kentucky Derby season with lighthearted talk about betting at Churchill and Keeneland, JJ’s kindergarten Derby float, and what “responsible gambling” looks like. They pay tribute to Lexington Urban League leader PG Peeples and question how UK and its athletics department engaged with him and the Urban League. The hosts discuss top recruit Tyran Stokes’ UK v...

Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton react to Memphis’ FB HC Huff banning practice music, arguing it’s an old-school “splash” that could hurt Gen Z recruiting and game-like preparation. They highlight Oscar Tshiebwe’s big recent G League stat lines with Utah and discuss how production can outweigh measurables, plus whether there’s still an NBA role for his skill set. The conversation turns to their lin...

UK Basketball’s Rough Finish, Pope Pressure & Transfer Portal Outlook + Kentucky Football Spring Buzz On the LetterWinner, Jarmon, Newton, and Lewellen recap Kentucky basketball’s 22–14 season and round-of-32 exit, roster construction, ball handling, and injuries, debating Mark Pope’s strategy, noting staff changes, including Mo Williams. They discuss UK’s standards, media accountability, reve...

Jarmon and Newton reflect on forgetting to acknowledge International Women’s Day, sharing how they celebrate the women in their lives and noting Morgan’s 11-year journey with his wife. They pivot to Lexington’s winter weather disruptions again, joking about “warm weather” as a gold standard snow removal process. The conversation turns to Kentucky basketball’s matchup with Santa Clara and links to...

Mitch Barnhart Retires: What’s Next for Kentucky Athletics + Athlete Mental Health, NIL, and the Future of College Sports On the LetterWinner, Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton react to reports that longtime Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart is retiring and moving into a new, athletics-funded academic-side role paying $950,000 annually for five years, discuss his legacy, and speculate on an...

The episode recaps a K Club gathering at the K House that drew more than 200 former University of Kentucky letterwinners and families, including offensive coordinator Will Stein and over 20 staff members, with attendees spanning seven decades and multiple sports. Jarmon and Newton discuss the strong turnout and memorable moments. Jim Green and Derrick Ramsey were both in attendance. Jarmon transpo...

LetterWinners Jarmon and Newton reconnect after a break and apologize to listeners, citing NTI days, work and life be lifing. They discuss the impact of NTI days that left schools close for over a week. Then pivot to the Super Bowl snooze and the halftime show featuring Bad Bunny, framing it as a global business decision tied to the NFL’s international growth and Spanish-speaking North America, an...

The State of UK Football and UK Basketball: Transfer Portals, Coaches, and the Quest for Success On this episode of the Letter Winner Pod, we delve deep into the current state of University of Kentucky (UK) sports. Former QB Dusty Bonner joins Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton to discuss the significant storylines surrounding Kentucky Football Coach Will Stein and Kentucky Basketball Coach Mark Pope...

The State of Kentucky Sports: From Festive Cheers to Hard Truths In this episode of the LetterWinner Pod, Jarmon and Newton delve into the current state of Kentucky sports with a mix of holiday cheer and critical analysis. They discuss the Kentucky Volleyball team's recent near-win at the National Championship, and Mark Pope's basketball team's promising three-game win streak. The conversation shi...

The End of an Era: UK Football's Transition to New Leadership This episode delves into the recent shake-up within the Kentucky Football (UK Football) program as Mark Stoops' tenure as head coach concludes after 13 seasons. The discussion spotlights the imminent hiring (as of the start of the livestream) of Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as Stoops' successor. With notable alumni like Morga...

Jarmon and Newton discuss Thanksgiving and reflect on what they are thankful for this calendar year. They discuss the significant loss by the (UK) football team against Vanderbilt, drawing parallels to a similar past defeat that ushered in a new Stoops era. The conversation then transitions to UK's basketball team's blowout loss to Michigan State, highlighting issues with the roster and management...

Big Blue Nation: Football Triumphs Amidst Basketball Turmoil In this episode of the LetterWinner Pod, former Kentucky football players Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton discuss the current state of Kentucky sports. They highlight the impressive achievements of Mark Stoops and the football team's tactical prowess as they approach a pivotal game against Vanderbilt that could secure them a bowl game. C...

In this episode of the LetterWinner, hosts Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton delve into the recent performances of Kentucky's basketball and football teams. They discuss Kentucky basketball's struggles, particularly in defense, and the promising performance of Denzel Aberdeen. The discussion shifts to football, where quarterback Cutter Boley's strong play and leadership are highlighted. The hosts al...

This episode of the LetterWinner Pod features an in-depth discussion about the Kentucky Wildcats' pivotal 10-3 victory over the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Jarmon and Newton analyze the Wildcats' defensive prowess, which led to seven sacks and restricted Auburn to just three points. They also discuss the emotional reactions, including a heartfelt hug between Athletics Director Mitch Barn...

A Tale of Two Cities: Kentucky's Rupp Revival and Kroger Field Struggles In this episode of the LetterWinner Pod, hosts Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton discuss the contrasting fortunes of Kentucky's basketball and football programs. The basketball team, led by Mark Pope, is experiencing a renaissance, exemplified by a dominant win over Purdue. Pope is not only molding a strong team on the court bu...

Navigating Kentucky Sports: Football Struggles and Basketball Hype In this episode of the LetterWinner Pod, Morgan Newton and Jeremy dive deep into the turbulent atmosphere surrounding University of Kentucky's sports programs. The football team's disappointing 2-4 season record is dissected, highlighting the challenges facing the Wildcats as they prepare for a crucial game against Tennessee. The h...

Homecoming Clash: Kentucky Wildcats vs. Texas Longhorns This episode sets the stage for an epic Homecoming game in Lexington, as the Kentucky Wildcats prepare to face the Texas Longhorns for the first time in history. Jeremy and Morgan endorse QB Cutter Boley and share thoughts on restructing any NIL agreements that were in place at the beginning of the season. The hosts reminisce about Kentucky's...

A Journey from High School Glory to College Football Legend: Dusty Bonner's Story In this episode, Jarmon welcomes his former colleague and fellow K Club LetterWinner, Dusty Bonner, a highly decorated college quarterback enshrined in the Valdosta High School and Division II College Football Hall of Fame. The conversation delves into Dusty's football journey, starting with his dreams of playing for...

Corey Peter's Evolution From HS to 13-Year NFL Veteran and Collegiate Scout In this episode, Corey Peters shares his football journey, starting from his middle school days in Mississippi to becoming a professional player and now an NFL scout. Corey discusses his early love for football, the significant influences on his life, and his experiences at Central High School, a notable institution with a...

In this episode of The LetterWinner Podcast, hosts Jeremy Jarmon and Morgan Newton catch up with Alcoa HS, UK, and Packers legend Randall Cobb. They delve into the current state of the University of Kentucky Football program, discussing its challenges and potential areas for improvement. The conversation covers topics such as fan apathy, player development, and the evolving expectations for the te...

Kentucky Wildcats Football: Analyzing the Crucial Matchup Against South Carolina In this episode of the Letter Winner Pod, former SEC defensive end Jeremy and former QB Morgan Newton delve into Kentucky Wildcats football. They discuss the Wildcats' pivotal matchup against the South Carolina Gamecocks, detailing gameplay strategies, standout players, and key moments from recent games. The duo also...

In this episode of the Letter Winner podcast, letterwinners Morgan Newton and Jeremy Jarmon dive into the latest highlights and controversies in college and NFL football. They start by discussing thrilling games from the previous weekend, including Georgia vs. Tennessee and Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame. The hosts highlight coaching changes, player performances, and team dynamics. Special focus is...

In this episode of The LetterWinner Podcast, hosts Jeremy Jarmon and former UK QB Morgan Newton delve into a range of topics surrounding football culture, player performance, and game management decisions. The discussion kicks off with personal updates, including Morgan celebrating his daughter's birthday and experiences from watching the Ole Miss game. The duo covers key storylines in college foo...

College Football's Greatest Storylines and Prepping for Ole Miss: Kentucky Wildcats Analysis In this episode of the Letter Winner podcast, the hosts discuss recent events and standout storylines in both college and NFL football, including Bill Belichick's sideline behavior and Coach Lee Corso's farewell. The conversation transitions to an in-depth analysis of the Kentucky Wildcats' first game agai...