Samantha Ponder has emerged as a strong candidate to replace Chris Berman as host of ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown," sources tell Sporting News.

The selection of the 31-year-old sideline reporter would come as a shocker. "NFL Live" host Trey Wingo and Suzy Kolber were thought to be the leading candidates internally to succeed Berman, who's leaving the long-running pregame show after three decades.

While Ponder (who's married to NFL quarterback Christian Ponder) is described as a "strong candidate," nothing has been finalized, sources said. If Ponder does land the lead chair on "Sunday NFL Countdown," she won't take over Berman's other duties such as hosting Day One of NFL Draft coverage, according to sources.

Ponder serves as a contributor to ESPN's Emmy-winning "College Gameday" and as a sideline reporter for college football/basketball coverage. She also works with Kirk Herstreit and Chris Fowler for ABC's "Saturday Night Football" coverage. The Phoenix native previously served as a host/reporter for Fox Sports.

ESPN has cast a wide net for candidates to succeed the 61-year-old Berman on the pregame show, which now features the revamped cast of Randy Moss, Charles Woodson, Matt Hasselbeck and Adam Schefter.

ESPN has also reached out to Charissa Thompson, the former ESPNer who now hosts the "Fox NFL Kickoff" show on FS1, sources said.

Author James Miller tweeted Wednesday that Berman's' duties are likely to be split up by Ponder, Wingo and Kolber.

Chris Berman's @ESPNNFL role will be split up. Hearing @sam_ponder gets Sunday Countdown; Suzy Kolber MNF & @wingoz doing all #NFL draft. — jamesmiller (@JimMiller) March 1, 2017

ESPN is trying to get younger and place more women and broadcasters of color in prominent on-air roles.

On Monday, SN broke the news that ESPN is trying to steal rising star Katie Nolan away from FS1 -- despite her being under contract for the next 18 months.

ESPN big boss John Skipper, show runner/documentary chief Connor Schell and uber-producer Erik Rydholm have all individually pitched Nolan about leaving FS1 and joining the Worldwide Leader in Sports. Like a true closer, Skipper talked last with Nolan.

One ESPN scenario on the drawing board has Nolan co-hosting a new, national morning show with Mike Greenberg of "Mike & Mike in the Morning.

Ponder has followed big-name ESPNers before. She succeeded Erin Andrews on "College GameDay" when Andrews jumped to rival Fox Sports.

Ponder joined ESPN in 2011. ESPN declined to comment.