Play Now <br> <a href="https://picks.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/bracket" class="">Men's Brackets</a> <br> Play Now <br> <a href="https://picks.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaaw-tournament/bracket" class="">Women's Brackets</a> <br> <a href="/podcasts/the-early-edge-a-daily-sportsline-betting-podcast/" class="">A Daily SportsLine Betting Podcast</a> <br> <a href="/podcasts/fantasy-football-today-podcast/" class="">NFL Draft is coming up!</a> <br><a class="Annotation-link" href="/nfl/players/2179798/joe-burrow/">Joe Burrow</a> became the <a class="Annotation-link" href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/CIN/cincinnati-bengals/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>' starting quarterback in 2020, but if <a class="Annotation-link" href="/nfl/players/1245858/jason-kelce/">Jason Kelce</a> had his way, Burrow would have made his impact on the city several years earlier. <br>Kelce, the future Hall of Fame center and current co-host of the "New Heights" podcast with brother <a class="Annotation-link" href="/nfl/players/1725130/travis-kelce/">Travis Kelce</a>, tried to recruit Burrow to his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati, prior to Burrow transferring to LSU from Ohio State in 2018. <br>"When Joe was transferring out of Ohio State, I sent him a text on behalf of Cincinnati, trying to lure him to the university," Kelce said, <a href="https://x.com/OliviaRayTV/status/1778530877179678931" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">via WLWT</a>. "Who knows what could have been. He could have been such a great player had he just come here, but unfortunately he went to LSU."<br>Kelce was obviously joking, as Burrow enjoyed a record-setting run at LSU that included a Heisman Trophy and a national championship win in 2020. Burrow's success with the Tigers ultimately led to him being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 <a href="https://cbssports.com/nfl/draft/">NFL Draft</a>. <br>The Bearcats also enjoyed success over that span. With <a class="Annotation-link" href="/nfl/players/2864759/desmond-ridder/">Desmond Ridder</a> at quarterback, Cincinnati went 11-2 in 2018 and 11-3 in 2019. Cincinnati finished both seasons with bowl wins and were ranked in the top-25. <br>Kelce said that he typically doesn't get involved in recruiting, but he made an exception when it came to Burrow. <br>"Luke (Fickell) was adamant that he could change the program," Kelce said. "I think both sides ended up winning out."<br>While he wasn't able to get Burrow to join the Bearcats' football team, <a href="https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2024/04/travis-kelce-jason-kelce-joe-burrow-and-more-coming-to-uc-for-new-heights.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">he was able to get him on Cincinnati's campus</a> as a guest on his podcast. <br>"I think ever since then, Joe and I have been connected in some ways," Kelce said. "I'm honored that he's going to be here today. Looking forward to talking to him." <br>© 2004-2024 CBS Interactive. All Rights Reserved.<br>CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc.<br>Images by Getty Images and US Presswire<br><br><a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYnNzcG9ydHMuY29tL25mbC9uZXdzL2phc29uLWtlbGNlLXRyaWVkLXJlY3J1aXRpbmctYmVuZ2Fscy1qb2UtYnVycm93LXRvLXBsYXktZm9yLXRoaXMtc2Nob29sLXByaW9yLXRvLXFicy1icmVha291dC1zZWFzb24tYXQtbHN1L9IBkwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYnNzcG9ydHMuY29tL25mbC9uZXdzL2phc29uLWtlbGNlLXRyaWVkLXJlY3J1aXRpbmctYmVuZ2Fscy1qb2UtYnVycm93LXRvLXBsYXktZm9yLXRoaXMtc2Nob29sLXByaW9yLXRvLXFicy1icmVha291dC1zZWFzb24tYXQtbHN1L2FtcC8?oc=5">source</a>
