Matt Schumacker’s road to the SEC broadcast booth was anything but an overnight success story.

Before becoming the new lead play-by-play voice for SEC Network football, Matt spent more than a decade grinding his way through sports broadcasting — calling minor league baseball for free, driving hours for $200 basketball assignments, freelancing wherever he could find an opportunity and, at one point, wondering whether his broadcasting career might be over altogether.

On this episode of The Preferred Walk-On Show, Matt joins Seth Saunders to talk about the perseverance, preparation and belief behind that journey - and what it means to finally earn the opportunity he spent years envisioning.

Subscribe to The Preferred Walk-On Show for more raw, in-depth interviews with the coaches and leaders shaping college football. New episodes every week.
/ @preferredwalkon

Matt discusses the moments he wondered whether the opportunity would ever come, the role his wife and faith played in keeping him going, and why he became a believer in visualizing the life and career he wanted before they became reality.

We also go behind the scenes of a major college football broadcast: the preparation fans never see, communicating with producers during live television, developing chemistry with Aaron Murray and Taylor Davis, and the responsibility that comes with telling the story of SEC football every Saturday.

Plus, Matt shares what he learned participating in a mock College Football Playoff selection committee, his bucket-list college sports venues, his background as a college track athlete and — because this is college football — some strong opinions on barbecue and college-town food.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 — Matt Schumacker joins the show
01:18 — St. Louis food, toasted ravioli & SEC food spots
05:28 — Matt's ultimate barbecue destination
08:28 — From college track athlete to broadcaster
10:33 — How fast is a 3:42 mile?
13:57 — The long road through sports broadcasting
14:44 — “When are you going to get a real job?”
15:39 — Calling games for free & driving eight hours for $200
16:00 — COVID, real estate & nearly leaving broadcasting
17:21 — Faith, family & believing before anyone else does
19:20 — Visualizing himself calling SEC football
20:32 — Getting the call from ESPN
22:18 — What fans don’t see during a live broadcast
24:22 — How broadcasters prepare for a game
25:18 — Working with Aaron Murray & Taylor Davis
28:08 — Inside the College Football Playoff selection room
31:37 — Three must-visit venues in college sports
37:07 — Matt’s advice to his younger self

✅ Recommended Video:
👉Watch Shane Beamer's Walk-On Story: • Shane Beamer's Rise From Walk-On to SEC He...

The Preferred Walk-On is the people's college football show. Hosted by Seth Saunders, with James Kehm joining as featured co-host, the show covers college football's full Division I landscape: every Power Four conference, every Group of Six matchup, and every corner of the FCS. Walk-On grit. All-American tape.

— Your next step —
👍 Apple Podcasts & Spotify - search "The Preferred Walk-On Show"
👍 Instagram - @preferredwalk_on
👍 TikTok - @preferredwalkon
👍 Facebook - facebook.com/PreferredWalkOn
👍 X / Twitter - @PreferredWO

✅ Want to reach The Scout Team? Sponsorship packages available:
Walk-On
Partial Scholarship
Full Ride

Inquiries: seth@preferredwalkonshow.com

Walk-On grit. All-American film.