The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly

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68. Travis Swanson Jul 08, 2020

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Travis Swanson holds a rare distinction in Razorback football history: He's one of only a handful of guys who played for three different head coaches in his Arkansas career. Recruited by Bobby Petrino, Swanson was the starting center for the most successful two-year stretch in program history. But by the time Petrino was gone, Swanson still had two years of eligibility, meaning he played for both John L. Smith and Bret Bielema, as well. Despite the Razorbacks going just 7-17 over his final two seasons, Swanson continued to develop. How did he go from being an unheralded prospect out of Houston to one of the top offensive linemen in the country? Swanson would take a strong work ethic all the way to a five-year career in the NFL. And then, all of sudden, he went out on own his terms. How did one major life change have such a profound impact on Travis Swanson that he decided to put his football career in the rearview? It's been a memorable ride for Swanson, who's always ready to outwork everybody else.

67. Jake Bequette Jul 01, 2020

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For most football players, making it to the NFL is the high point of their careers. Then again, Jake Bequette isn't like most football players. Sure, his football life reads like a movie script: He was a third generation Razorback from Little Rock who ended up playing a vital role on teams that went 21-5 over a two-year stretch. And perhaps the program's biggest win in the SEC era—against LSU to clinch a Sugar Bowl berth—came in his hometown, in the stadium where he played in high school. He topped off his Razorback career by getting drafted by the most successful NFL franchise of the past two decades—the New England Patriots. But his four-year NFL career was marred by injuries, and when he retired in 2015, he knew what he wanted to do: Join the Army. And it's been the culmination of a longtime goal for Bequette, who has completed Ranger School and served a tour in Iraq as a First Lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division. While many Razorback fans will remember what he did on the field, Bequette hopes to one day be known for serving a greater purpose.

BONUS: Dave Van Horn Jun 26, 2020

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In this special bonus edition of The Hog Pod, we catch up with Razorback baseball coach Dave Van Horn, the active leader among coaches in number of trips to the College World Series. We chat about what makes his teams successful in the postseason, relieve some of his favorite moments and talk about how the Covid-19 pandemic will affect college baseball.

66. Tony Bua Jun 24, 2020

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Tony Bua has never lacked passion. That fire and competitiveness—and plenty of big hits—made him an easy fan favorite at Arkansas. So it's hard to imagine that the Razorbacks' all-time leader in tackles almost wasn't a Hog at all—and almost wasn't playing major college football. Bua was undersized and under-recruited in high school. So how did a move to a new state and new school right before his senior year change everything? Once he got a chance, Bua did everything he could to make an impact, and his career with the Razorbacks was nothing short of electric. He was part of Arkansas teams that won seven games against top 25 teams, played in two seven overtime wins and won an SEC West title. Razorback fans won't forget Tony Bua anytime soon.

65. Like Father, Like Son: Ron & Ronnie Brewer Jun 17, 2020

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They're two of the best players to come through the Razorback basketball program. And they just so happen to be father and son. In fact, despite playing decades apart, Ron and Ronnie Brewer right next to each other on Arkansas' all-time scoring list, separated by just 24 points. They're also the first father-son duo to play at the same school and for the same NBA team in basketball history. One of the Triplets, Ron helped lead Eddie Sutton's Razorback teams to new heights, including as the top scorer on the 1978 Final Four team. And 28 years later, it was Ronnie's turn to be the leading scorer on an NCAA Tournament team. What was it like to grow up as a standout basketball player who just so happened to be the son of an Arkansas legend? Their relationship is just as much about life off the court, including a focus on giving back to the community through the Ronnie Brewer Foundation. It's part of what makes the two of them stand out, and what makes their bond as father and son so strong to this day.

64. Heston Kjerstad Jun 10, 2020

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Heston Kjerstad was the SEC Freshman of the Year, an All-SEC and All-American performer during his Razorback career, in which he hit .345 with 35 home runs and 124 RBI over 145 games. But as good as he was in his time at Arkansas, did you know Kjerstad wasn't highly touted or recruited as a high schooler? Dave Van Horn and his staff knew they had something special on their hands with the Amarillo, Texas, native. And Kjerstad delivered time and time again for the Razorbacks. He helped lead the Diamond Hogs to back-to-back trips to the College World Series, and became a fan favorite for his mammoth home runs. And while his Arkansas career was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, his future in baseball is brighter than ever.

BONUS: Chuck Barrett's Favorite Calls Jun 08, 2020

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Chuck Barrett has been a voice fans have known since 1992, when the lifelong Razorback fan began calling Arkansas baseball games, and helped establish a statewide radio network for those broadcasts. In 2008, he added football play-by-play responsibilities, and basketball soon followed in 2010. While he no longer handles Razorback baseball play-by-play, Barrett is responsible for some of the program's most memorable calls. And the same can be said for football and basketball. In this bonus episode of The Hog Pod, we relieve the moments that stand out to Chuck, what makes them great, and what they meant to Razorback nation.

63. Carson Shaddy Jun 03, 2020

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What do you do when the worst moment of your career is on display for all to see? Carson Shaddy relied on everything he had learned in his baseball career and did what any leader would do: He owned it. And it's that leadership trait—not one moment—that defines Shaddy's Razorback career. He started his career as a non-scholarship player and made appearances at every position except pitcher, shortstop and first base. He wore his emotions on his sleeve, and came through time and time again with big hits in clutch situations. For a Fayetteville kid who grew up wanting to be a Razorback so much that he'd do anything to make it happen, it's been a wild ride—filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But through it all, Carson Shaddy was the same guy every day of his Arkansas career: a relatable leader who endeared himself to Hog fans.

62. Jarius Wright May 27, 2020

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Did you know that, statistically speaking, Jarius Wright is one of the best players in Razorback history? Wright holds the school record for career receiving yards AND the single-season record for touchdown catches. And he did it all despite being one of the smallest guys on the field. Coming out of Warren, Ark., alongside teammates Greg Childs and Chris Gragg, Wright was first recruited by Houston Nutt and decided to stick with Arkansas when Bobby Petrino was hired. It turned out to be the right move. He was a key cog on Arkansas' most successful teams of the Razorbacks' SEC era in 2010 and 2011. Those teams went a combined 21-5, and Wright was front and center. So how'd he do it? How did a small kid from a small town in Arkansas end up making big play after big play for the Razorbacks, and then in the NFL? This is Jarius Wright's story.

61. Joe Kleine & The Last Dance May 21, 2020

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Few former Razorbacks have had as fascinating a pro career as Joe Kleine. After all, how did a kid from Slater, Mo., end up playing alongside guys like Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan over the course of a 15-year NBA career? As it turns out, his journey would intersect with Jordan's multiple times—in the NBA, in the Olympics, and at Arkansas. How he got to Arkansas is a story in and of itself, but once he transferred in, he established himself as one of the best big men in Razorback history. He would go on to win a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics, and was the No. 6 pick in the 1985 NBA Draft. He would play for seven different teams, but most memorably, he had a front-row seat to "The Last Dance" as a member of the 1998 Chicago Bulls. So what was it like to play with Michael Jordan? How was Scottie Pippen? And what about the always-colorful Dennis Rodman? This is the story of one hell of a ride that led Joe Kleine to the last dance.

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