The Big Ten’s recent $8 billion media rights deal is already shaking up the college football landscape.

Color commentator Todd Blackledge will depart from ESPN in favor of a similar role at NBC Sports, as announced by his new network Thursday. As an analyst for NBC, Blackledge will lead the booth of “Big Ten Saturday Night,” a new primetime slot for Big Ten football.

“I am so very thankful for my last 17 years at ESPN, the relationships that were built, and the excellent work done by the K crew,” Blackledge wrote on Twitter. “That being said, I am beyond excited about my new opportunity with NBC!”

I am so very thankful for my last 17 years at ESPN, the relationships that were built, and the excellent work done by the K Crew. That being said, I am beyond excited about my new opportunity with NBC! https://t.co/0F0sKimHE4

— Todd Blackledge (@Todd_Blackledge) February 2, 2023

Blackledge will serve alongside play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle and sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen.

“When you hear Todd’s voice, you know it’s a big college football game,” said NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood in a release. “It has been that way for decades.”

As a commentator, Blackledge spent the last 17 consecutive years working for ESPN. Before that, the new NBC frontman worked for CBS and ABC for seven and five years, respectively.

Before donning the announcer’s headset, Blackledge started as Penn State’s quarterback for three seasons under legendary head coach Joe Paterno. From 1979 to 1982, Blackledge established himself as one of the program greats.

In his four-year career in Happy Valley, Blackledge threw for 4,812 yards and 41 touchdowns. As the starting quarterback, Blackledge led the Nittany Lions to its first national championship in 1982 while also earning the Davey O’Brien Award for college football’s best quarterback.