Sports Talk With Bo Mattingly's Podcast

Makayla Daniels is the perfect example of player development—someone who’s turned into a leader and key contributor through growth and hard work. But for the senior and one of the team’s leading scorers, it was a journey to get to that point, especially for someone as quiet as Daniels. And now, in her senior year, she’s emerged as a team leader who doesn’t shy away from big moments or heroics. And for all the successes, it’s always been about the journey for Daniels.   FIND US ONLINE: Twitter: @HogsPlus Instagram: @thehogpod Email: thehogpod@sportandstory.com   CREDITS: Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo) Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman) Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)   The Hog Pod is a presentation of Arkansas Athletics, Sport & Story, and Learfield. 

If you see new Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams, chances are good he’ll look like the happiest guy in the room. That’s because he is. Williams hails from humble beginnings. He grew up in the projects in Columbia, South Carolina, before moving to a trailer park. But he didn’t let that stop him. Williams starred as a linebacker at Auburn, earning All-SEC honors during the Tigers’ undefeated 2004 season. And after a cup of coffee in the NFL, got into coaching. It’s been a meteoric rise since. An avid music fan and part-time rapper, Williams knows the importance of connecting with his players. At just 40 years old, Travis Williams is already leaving his mark on a new generation of student-athletes. Now he has his sights set on leaving a legacy at Arkansas.   FIND US ONLINE: Twitter: @HogsPlus Instagram: @thehogpod Email: thehogpod@sportandstory.com   CREDITS: Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo) Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman) Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youn

Kevin Scanlon is an Arkansas legend, on and off the field. He’s not a native son, but he might as well be. After all, he chose to make the state his home and understands what it means to be a Razorback. In this special episode of the Hog Pod, senior contributor Clay Henry sits down with Scanlon to bring you his story, from the 1978 Orange Bowl and Lou Holtz, to where he is today with Stephens Inc.   FIND US ONLINE: Twitter: @HogsPlus Instagram: @thehogpod Email: thehogpod@sportandstory.com   CREDITS: Host & Executive Producer: Bo Mattingly (@SportAndStoryBo) Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman) Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)   The Hog Pod is a presentation of Arkansas Athletics, Sport & Story, and Learfield. 

When you’re one of the most well-liked gymnasts in the country, you’re kind of a big deal. But for Norah Flatley, it’s what makes her so well-respected that really stands out. It’s the years of hard work dedicated to her craft. And it’s overcoming injuries, setbacks, and heartbreak. An injury kept Norah from having a chance to realize her Olympic dream. But time heals all wounds, and after finishing seventh at nationals last year and being named the Comeback Gymnast of the Year, she sees the big picture, including a transfer to Arkansas, a fresh start, and an opportunity to work with Jordyn Wieber and Kyla Ross one more time. With Razorback fans and the gymnastics community behind her, Norah Flatley is going out in style.

Jordan Walsh is a special kind of player. He honed his skills first on the defensive end just to get a chance to play—and it worked. Walsh developed into a two-way menace, a five-star prospect, and a McDonald’s All-American. And now he has his sights set on taking the Razorbacks to the top. It’s a lofty goal, but it’s one of the reasons Walsh came to Arkansas. Walsh has a future in basketball, and he knows that Arkansas—along with coach Eric Musselman—can help him achieve his personal goals. If Jordan Walsh has his way, he’ll be one of the guys future Razorbacks look to as proof you can accomplish everything you want at Arkansas.

Transferring is hard. Sure, in the era of the transfer portal, it’s easier than ever to find a new home. But going through the actual process? It can take a toll. Fortunately for Arkansas, Saylor Poffenbarger chose right the second time, transferring to the Razorbacks from UConn. And she hasn’t looked back. Poffenbarger has already earned four SEC Freshman of the Week honors, and has her eyes set on being the league’s freshman of the year. And she has plenty of motivation to achieve those goals. Saylor plays in honor of her late brother, who passed away tragically at age 4. Hitting her stride both on and off the court, there’s no mistaking that Saylor Poffenbarger is making her family—and Razorback fans—proud. For more content featuring your favorite Razorbacks, visit HogsPlus.com.

The first thing you notice about Anthony Black is the hair. But pay attention for any amount of time when Black is on the basketball court and something else stands out: elite skills, vision and talent. If things played out differently, Black—a great athlete and three-star wide receiver recruit—could’ve been running routes at Razorback Stadium. He certainly made the right choice. Black, a McDonald’s All-American and top-ranked point guard in the class, is a special talent on the hardwood. And he wants that talent to lead the Razorbacks to big things.

He’s not the first, second or even third. But Ricky Council IV is making a name for himself. Fourth, as his family calls him, has turned into a standout for the Razorback basketball team and currently leads the SEC in scoring. And Council is attacking from the start in his first season at Arkansas after two at Wichita State, where he was the American Athletic Conference Sixth Man of the Year last season. But the junior has his eyes on much bigger prizes at Arkansas. If the early returns are any indication, Fourth and the Hogs will have a chance to accomplish everything they want, and then some.

Every good team has someone who’s “the glue”—the player who makes everything work and keeps everyone together. For Arkansas’ women’s basketball team, that’s Rylee Langerman. It’s a role she embraces for a program that’s on the rise in the SEC. But it’s not the only thing that matters to Rylee. She's dealt with alopecia—a skin disease that causes hair loss—from a young age. And the challenges she's faced have only made her stronger. Now, she’s become an advocate and a leader in the community for a fan base she loves...and the glue that holds her team together.

Being a Razorback has always meant something to the people of Arkansas. There’s something to be said for an Arkansas kid reaching his fullest potential with the Razorbacks. And that’s the case for Louis Campbell, whose success with the Hogs made him among the most revered coaches in the state. A Hamburg native, Campbell was a three-year starter on defense for the Razorbacks in the early 70s, and still holds a school postseason record, with three interceptions vs. Tennessee in the 1971 Liberty Bowl. But Campbell wasn’t done with Arkansas when his playing career ended. After spending time coaching at Alabama, Oklahoma State and with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he got the call to come home, and spent the next 18 seasons with the Razorbacks. Louis Campbell realized his potential as a player and coach with the Razorbacks. He’s Arkansas through and through.

On the 20th anniversary of the Miracle on Markham and Arkansas' last-second win over LSU to clinch the SEC West title in 2002, join Houston Nutt, Matt Jones and Clay Henry as they look back on what of the biggest moments in Razorback football history.

Arkansas women’s basketball is a program on the rise. Need proof? Look no further than all the things Mike Neighbors has accomplished as he begins Year 6 at the helm of the Razorbacks. There were those two top-five wins over UConn and Baylor—two of the four such wins in program history. But he’s also one of three coaches in program history to lead the Hogs to four-straight winning seasons. That success is largely driven by Neighbors’ unique approach to coaching. He’s always coming up with new ideas to challenge the norms. And as more and more top talent joins the Razorback program, fans are beginning to catch a glimpse of what’s to come.

Pat Bradley has always been “the shootah.” The stats and records back it up. Bradley is fifth on Arkansas’ all-time scoring list, led the Razorbacks in points per game three times, and made more 3-pointers than any Hog in history. And that shooting prowess is how a little-recruited guard from the Boston area ended up down in Arkansas. But Fayetteville is a long way from home. And there was a tough adjustment period for Bradley, who was unsure he’d last with the Razorbacks. Bradley stuck it out, took his lumps early and quickly emerged as a scoring threat for the Razorbacks, entering a new era minus their championship-winning heroes. And he wouldn’t trade it for anything.

There’s something special about the No. 5 jersey at Arkansas. It takes a special player to live up to the impossible standard set by the GOAT, Darren McFadden. But Rocket Sanders is doing his best—and as it turns out, his best is pretty darn good. The sophomore leads the SEC in rushing and is on pace to have the best season by a Razorback running back since McFadden. And having that No. 5 jersey is a big motivating factor. And as important as living up to the legacy of No. 5 is to Sanders, there’s something even bigger to him: being a dad. Sanders grew up most of his life without a father figure in his life. He’s determined to play a major role in his son’s life. Rocket Sanders has big shoes to fill, but if the early returns are any indication, he’s well on his way to leaving a lasting legacy on—and off—the field.

Jadon Haselwood was born to make plays. But sometimes, the right opportunity doesn’t come straight away. After committing to Oklahoma as one of the top recruits in the country, Haselwood had his moments, but a major injury and lack of targets had left him struggling to catch on in his three seasons in Norman. A decision to transfer landed him at Arkansas, with a fresh start, bolstered by a coaching staff who believes in what he can do. Being a top recruit can come with a lot of pressure, and Haselwood has dealt with it throughout his career. But a new outlook has propelled him to an impact role at Arkansas, and is seeing him become the best version of himself.

Eric Musselman is doing things at Arkansas that Razorback fans haven’t seen in quite some time. He’s been to back-to-back Elite Eights and already has two wins over No. 1-ranked teams. And as Musselman enters the fourth year of his Arkansas tenure, expectations are sky high. Fans care about seeing a winner, and the Head Hog embraces it. Beyond the on-court success, there’s a freshman class ranked as one of the best in the country. Winning leads to more winning, and people are noticing. Now all that’s left is to keep the moment going. Arkansas and Musselman have their sights set on another deep run in March.

Running is hard. Doing it over long distances at consistent top speeds is one of the most impressive athletic feats. So when you’re an All-American in cross country, indoor and outdoor track like Isabel Van Camp, you’re doing something right. Add in a collegiate record in the women’s 4 x 1500m relay and a national title in the distance medley relay, and Van Camp is living her best life. But after struggling at times early on in her Razorback career, there were doubts. But remembering she was part of something bigger helped Van Camp push through. That team-first attitude has served Van Camp well, and makes all the hard work worth it. Van Camp aspires to greatness on—and off—the track. And her time at Arkansas has served her well in pursuit of her goals.

What’s in a nickname? For Arkansas soccer standout Ava Tankersley…everything. "Tank" is an apt nickname. Tall, athletic, and full of offensive firepower, Tankersley has bulldozed her way through opponents and ranks among the best in the country in assists. But make no mistake, the junior forward likes to score, too. Athletic success runs in the family. Her dad played in the big leagues with the Padres, and her mom’s a marathon runner. It’s given her an easy career goal—matching her parents. But it takes hard work to get to that level. And Tank has Arkansas coach Colby Hale to thank for reaching new heights. Her performances have been off the charts for a program that has won three-straight SEC titles in the three years she’s been on campus. In this conversation with Hogs+ senior contributor Clay Henry, it’s the story of how Ava Tankersley has developed into a key cog for the Razorbacks.

Gaby Lopez is one of the best Pro Hogs around. After a standout career at Arkansas that saw her finish as national runner-up, she’s now won three times on the LPGA Tour. The Mexico native wasn’t always a star, though. She routinely was shooting in the 100s when she started playing, and, while she was having fun, something was missing. Her play eventually attracted the interest of Arkansas, where she would learn the skills necessary to have success—both in college and at the next level. And when she won for the first time on the LPGA Tour, it validated all the hard work. In 2021, she earned perhaps her biggest honor to date: Being the flag bearer for Mexico at the Summer Olympics. Gaby Lopez shined bright at Arkansas, and is doing big things as a professional. Her story is one of determination and success. And there’s nobody better to help tell it than Arkansas women’s golf coach Shauna Taylor.

Joe Adams’ football career could be summed up with one word: Electrifying. He returned five career punts for touchdowns—third in SEC history—won national awards and was a first-team All-American. But his time as a Razorback wouldn’t have happened without a last-minute change of heart. The signing day decision to play for his home-state Razorbacks meant the Hogs would be loaded with some all-time greats. But Adams didn’t want to take on the task of stepping into another legend’s number. Adams made No. 3 his own, dazzling fans and opposing defenses alike with his shiftiness and speed as he became one of the best receivers in school history. Now, having been inducted into the Razorbacks’ Hall of Honor, Adams’ spot as an Arkansas legend is secure.