Georgia alumna Maria Taylor to replace Samantha Ponder on ESPN’s College GameDay

SEC Network host, reporter and analyst Maria Taylor was named “College GameDay” host and “ABC Saturday Night Football” reporter on Tuesday.

Taylor, formerly the host of SEC Network’s traveling gameday show “SEC Nation,” will replace sideline reporter Samantha Ponder on “College GameDay” this season. Ponder was named the host of “NFL Sunday Countdown” in March.

"I am honored and excited to join the "College GameDay" and "Saturday Night Football" teams," Taylor said in a statement released by ESPN. "I grew up watching '(College) GameDay' and I have always been inspired by the new and innovative ways they entertain and inform college football fans. And I welcome a return to the sideline reporting role to cover the games that shape the college football landscape."

A former basketball and volleyball player at the University of Georgia, Taylor was hired by ESPN in 2012.

ESPN announced Laura Rutledge will become the new host of “SEC Nation” in Taylor’s absence.

“In a very short time, Maria has demonstrated versatility, presence and ease in her many roles. She is the rare ‘triple threat’ in this industry and we look forward to having her on the road with ‘(College) GameDay’ and ‘SNF’ come fall,” ESPN senior coordinating producer of college sports Lee Fitting said in the statement.