Ryan Day compliments Lee Corso ahead of 'GameDay' send-off

As the legendary Lee Corso prepares for his final headgear pick on ESPN's "College GameDay" this Saturday, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day reflected on Corso's career, paying him some well-deserved compliments.

Day, whose No. 3 Buckeyes will host No. 1 Texas on Saturday afternoon in a massive non-conference clash, called Corso is "great ambassador to the game, just somebody who’s been positive and builds people up," via WBNS10 TV.

"He's somebody that I remember just so many years of putting on the mascot heads and just making Saturdays so enjoyable for so many people," Day continued.

Of course, everyone will be wondering which team Corso will don as his final headgear pick. According to ESPN, the 90-year-old Corso has made 430 headgear picks, including a record 45 in favor of Ohio State. Thus, it's fun that Corso's final headgear pick will be either the Buckeyes or the Longhorns on Saturday.

His first headgear pick was in Ohio State's direction on October 5, 1996. Corso has been a part of the popular ESPN show since it started in 1987.

Corso was a standout player at Florida State before serving as a head coach at Louisville, Indiana and Northern Illinois. He also was the head coach of the USFL's Orlando Renegades for one season.

But most college football fans will remember him for his nearly 40-year run at "GameDay." Corso's enthusiasm and passion for the sport are infectious.

His headgear picks are equal parts informative and hilarious. Corso's trademark slogan - "Not so fast, my friend!"  - is an iconic saying in college football.

While "GameDay" will carry on after Corso's retirement, it will never be the same. Will another member of the program do headgear picks in the future? We'll have to see about that.

The tributes have been pouring in from fellow broadcasters, coaches, players and fans. Much like his college basketball counterpart Dick Vitale, Corso is larger than life.

"I just feel like, when it's all said and done, and now that his career, obviously coaching, but now as a broadcaster, is ending, you look back on the impact that you made," Day continued. "And he certainly made a major impact on a lot of people."

"My goal on TV was to bring a smile to everybody’s face," Corso said at ESPN's annual "ESPYS" awards show in July, via Nick Shultz of On3. "I hope I’ve done that."

It's safe to say that Corso has met, and exceeded, his goal.