After the Monday announcement that Michelle Smallmon would depart 101 ESPN in St. Louis for a role on SportsCenter All Night on ESPN Radio, the station said they’d have an announcement later this week. Carey Davis was announced as the new co-host to pair with Randy Karraker for a renamed show.
“I am honored and happy to be able to hopefully hold on to the seat that you had and do a good enough job like you did,” Davis said to Smallmon during the announcement.
Karraker revealed when the Rams left St. Louis in 2016 and Demarco Farr departed the station, he lobbied for Davis to be his co-host. “The top of my list has always been Carey Davis, if I was going to have another co-host,” Karraker said. “So I’m beyond thrilled that we get to sit around, talk sports, and laugh.”
“To be able to work with you, Randy, is gonna be awesome. I appreciate you. What you’ve done for my career thus far,” said Davis.
The Opening Drive will debut on Monday, September 12th with Karraker and Davis. A former Illinois running back, Davis played portions of seven seasons in the NFL with six teams, winning a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009. Davis, 41, currently serves as the sideline reporter for the Illinois football radio broadcasts and has been a frequent guest host on 101 ESPN.
