The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly

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160. Michael Turner: Catching On Jun 02, 2022

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If it wasn't for today's transfer market, Michael Turner would likely have never been a Razorback. After four years at Kent State, where he earned All-MAC honors, the Ohio native decided to put his name in the transfer portal. There were other options closer to home … then he heard from the No. 1 team in the country. And Turner has been blown away by his experience at Arkansas, likening the fan support and atmosphere to what he's only experienced at college football games up north. Turner has emerged as one of the best hitters on the team, with a .298 batting average and a career-high seven home runs. And even though the regular season didn't end the way these Razorbacks had hoped, they're ready for the challenge of the postseason.

159. Linnie Malkin: Bogle Bomber May 30, 2022

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Linnie Malkin loves hitting bombs. That approach worked for Malkin, who led the SEC and was top-10 nationally in homers in her senior season. At Arkansas, she found happiness on and off the field. It was a journey to get here, featuring a complicated relationship with her dad, and a trip from Colorado to get noticed. But head coach Courtney Deifel and the Razorbacks have Malkin living her best life. And there was plenty of good this season for Malkin and Arkansas, including a first-ever SEC Tournament title.

158. KB Sides: SEC Player of the Year May 23, 2022

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KB Sides is a lot of things. Kendall Beth. Razorback. SEC Player of the Year. And, most importantly: Herself. But her journey to figure that out hasn't been a straight line. After her career at Alabama came to an unexpected end, Sides debating giving up the sport before deciding to seek a new home. And a phone call with Arkansas coach Courtney Defiel changed everything. Sides and Arkansas have been a perfect match. Her 28 steals this season were 24 more than the Razorbacks had all last year. And she's the latest example of the Razorbacks becoming a destination for the nation's best. KB Sides took a chance on Arkansas and rediscovered her love for the game—and herself—in the process. And as the SEC Player of the Year, she's going out on top.

157. Courtney Deifel: Program Built May 16, 2022

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When Courtney Deifel arrived at Arkansas ahead of the 2016 season, the Razorbacks were one of the cellar dwellers of the SEC. The program had won just 18 total SEC games in the three previous seasons, and Deifel's first team won just a single conference game. But she saw the potential for a turnaround. Since that first season, Deifel and her team have been setting records, including winning the program's first SEC titles in 2021 and 2022. But winning isn't everything. Deifel's program is making an impact on softball, especially in the Natural State. Winning the SEC—while a remarkable achievement considering where the program was—isn't the end game. This program, under Courtney Deifel, is ready for new heights.

156. Kendal Briles: Hogs are Home May 09, 2022

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Kendal Briles has found a home at Arkansas. Entering his third year with the Razorbacks, Briles has served as the offensive coordinator at Arkansas longer than at any of his previous stops. And it's paid dividends. Razorback fans have a lot to be excited about on offense with Briles at the helm, and it starts with quarterback KJ Jefferson as the returning starter. In this conversation, Quinn Grovey sits down with Kendal Briles to talk about why Arkansas is a great fit for him, working with a quarterback like KJ Jefferson, and why he thinks this program is ready for big things.

155. Ayden Owens-Delerme: Olympic Dreams May 02, 2022

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Ayden Owens may be the best athlete on campus at the University of Arkansas. And it's something he's been training for his entire life. Owens developed a love for multiple sports as a kid, and had dreams of playing for his home state Pittsburgh Steelers. But Owens found a different outlet for his competitive nature…on the track AND in the field. His hard work paid off, and he's now the collegiate record holder in the decathlon. But along with his success came a difficult choice: Who to represent on the international stage…the United States, or his family's homeland of Puerto Rico. The decision has paid off for Owens, who has lofty Olympic aspirations. And after stops at USC and Michigan, he's found a home at Arkansas, a place that knows a thing or two about producing Olympians.

154. Sam Pittman: Restoring Pride Apr 25, 2022

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Pride in the Razorbacks is a big part of life in the Natural State. When the Hogs are winning, it affects everybody in a positive way. And thanks to Sam Pittman, that pride in Arkansas football is back. The Head Hog has the program on an upward trajectory after a nine-win season, and fans are getting to experience some great moments once again. In this conversation, Quinn Grovey sits down with Sam Pittman to talk about revitalizing a program, bringing the pride back to Razorback football, and what it's been like to be the coach at Arkansas.

153. Zebulon Vermillion: What's In a Name? Apr 18, 2022

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The guy they call Zeb might be the most interesting man in the world. Besides a unique name, the fifth-year senior pitcher speaks parts of multiple languages, will compete with you in ping pong or bowling, and played basketball with multiple guys who made it to the NBA. Don't expect to see Vermillion on the basketball court, though. He has emerged as a standout reliever for the nationally competitive Razorbacks. It's a role that's been built through hard work and an incredible culture that permeates every aspect of the program. And while Vermillion's Razorback career didn't get off to the best of starts, he's turned into one of the most consistent—and confident—performers for Dave Van Horn's team. With that kind of confidence, it's easy to see why Vermillion has found success this season and is destined to leave an impact on Razorback baseball.

152. Danielle Gibson: RBI Leader Apr 11, 2022

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Danielle Gibson is an RBI machine. She's the Arkansas school record holder for career RBI, and isn't slowing down in her last season on campus. The fact that she even ended up with the Razorbacks is a bit of a surprise, considering she's from California and started her collegiate career at Arizona State. But ever since she set foot in Fayetteville, she's been dynamite. In this conversation, Quinn Grovey and Matt Zimmerman sit down with this Razorback standout to talk about her life, being a married student-athlete, and her aspirations to be a coach and help change lives in the process.

151. Connor Noland: Arkansas Ace Apr 05, 2022

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Connor Noland's talent has never been up for debate. A two-sport star at Greenwood High School, he excelled both on the football field and the mound. Noland wanted to continue playing both sports in college, which made Arkansas—his dream school—a perfect fit. Noland won his only start at quarterback for the Razorbacks. But after a year of trying both sports, he realized he needed to make a choice. The decision to focus on baseball has paid off, but not without some injury-induced struggles. But Noland persevered through any doubts to become the Razorbacks' Friday night starter. And now wants to set an example for Arkansas, just like former Hog Kevin Kopps. Noland is well on his way to realizing his potential. And his mission is clear.

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