New PWO for outstanding specialist

[Oklahawg]

Matthew Phillips, congrats! Hoping to get to root for you for four years!

https://twitter.com/phillipsmat47

[Sho Nuff]

Forgive my ignorance, what does PWO stand for?

[hawgwash]

Forgive my ignorance, what does PWO stand for?

Preferred walk on.

[aloha_kid]

Matthew Phillips, congrats! Hoping to get to root for you for four years!

https://twitter.com/phillipsmat47

He has one for Vandy as well. 

[Sho Nuff]

Preferred walk on.

Thanks

[Oklahawg]

The concern for PWOs like Phillips: a school like Austin Peay comes in with a full offer, or on signing day some P5 school whiffs on a position player and opts to invest in a specialist over a hole in the class.

If you are a PWO you are being counted on to help. This kid has a great leg, and a great family as well.

[bphi11ips]

The concern for PWOs like Phillips: a school like Austin Peay comes in with a full offer, or on signing day some P5 school whiffs on a position player and opts to invest in a specialist over a hole in the class.

If you are a PWO you are being counted on to help. This kid has a great leg, and a great family as well.

That's awfully kind, Oklahawg.  Matthew is pretty excited about the chance to play at Arkansas. It's a rare opportunity and a great school, too. Everything about the football program and academic support are first class. 

PWO is standard operating procedure for kickers now for P5 schools. Only a handful hold full FBS offers. It was the same way last year. Matthew understands the risk that he won't earn a scholarship. He just wants to compete.

I never had any idea how hard this was going to be. There are no bad choices. It's like dating several hot girls and having to pick one you're going to marry.

To give a little background, Brentwood has produced a bunch of great kickers recently. Mississippi State signed Matthew's friend and teammate, Tucker Day, last year. Tucker was Chris Sailer's number one ranked punter and an Army All-American. Matthew was a year behind, so 2017 was Matthew's only year to kick after his freshman year, although he started placekicking in games at age 11.  Other kickers from this area include John Vaughan and Cody Bliss of Auburn and Brian Davis of Arkansas State.

Matthew is basically a football player who kicks. He did a little of everything at Brentwood High School for three years. He led the backs in rushing and was All Region at corner as a junior. He runs a legit 4.5 and had early interest at DB/slot but has always wanted to kick in college. And he loves to hit. He was Region 6-6A Kicker of the Year this year and started at SS and returned punts. He didn't play offense to get a rest. He is proudest of being elected Captain by his teammates. I'm biased, of course, but he will be an asset wherever he goes.

Believe it or not, I'd never scrolled through his Twitter until I clicked the link you posted. I knew about all his offers but don't follow him on Twitter. I have finally figured out how Twitter works in recruiting. It is an effective tool to keep everyone in the loop.

Here's a link to Matthew's HUDL page:

http://www.hudl.com/profile/5300349/Matthew-Phillips

He broke kicking highlights down by Pre-Season, First Half and Second Half. The McGavock highlights near the top come from a playoff game this year and is a good mix of player/kicker.

Can't wait to see how this ends.

[razCzar]

Think I would be correct to assume this is your grandson - knowing your age?  You no doubt are very proud of the young man.  I only hope he bleeds Cardinal Red a tenth as much as you... or at least enough to get him into a Razorback uniform! 

I happen to believe that strong, passionate legacies (of which I would include Stephen Jones) are very important for our Program:  the Team as well as the Future.

[Arkiebarkie]

This young man is a stud! I felt sorry for the ball, he crushed it. Very explosive leg. He's a big kicker that can tackle as well , good speed which would help if down field coverage turns the return man loose. And he was a Captain for his HS team, leader qualities! Yes, please

[bphi11ips]

Think I would be correct to assume this is your grandson - knowing your age?  You no doubt are very proud of the young man.  I only hope he bleeds Cardinal Red a tenth as much as you... or at least enough to get him into a Razorback uniform! 

I happen to believe that strong, passionate legacies (of which I would include Stephen Jones) are very important for our Program:  the Team as well as the Future.

I'm his dad.  I'll be 56 Monday.  That's old enough to be his grandfather in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and some parts of Tennessee. 

Matthew does love the Hogs.  His first game was Vanderbilt in 2006.  He bet me $4 (his idea) that Vanderbilt would win. He wore a Razorbacks shirt to the game.  Arkansas led 14-13 at halftime, and he asked me to buy him a Vanderbilt shirt.  I did and breathed a sigh of relief as Brian Haunfeldt's game ending 51-yard field goal fell inches short. Some said the puff of wind just as Haunfeldt's foot hit the ball was the ghost of Paul Eels.  When I want to get his goat, I remind Matthew that he never paid me that four bucks.  He asks me how many times he has to pay me.

Matthew and I went to the Alabama game the next week in Fayetteville.  I think he was still sore about losing the bet.  Maybe he was just bashful, but I couldn't get him to call the Hogs.  Then we went to the LSU game on a ten game winning streak.  When Darren McFadden came screaming up the east sideline headed for the north end zone, Matthew started yelling "Woo Pig Sooie" and hasn't stopped since.

[oldhawg]

I'm his dad.  I'll be 56 Monday.  That's old enough to be his grandfather in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and some parts of Tennessee. 

Matthew does love the Hogs.  His first game was Vanderbilt in 2006.  He bet me $4 (his number) that Vanderbilt would win. He wore a Razorbacks shirt to the game.  Arkansas led 14-13 at halftime, and he asked me to buy him a Vanderbilt shirt.  I did and breathed a sigh of relief as Brian Haunfeldt's game ending 51-yard field goal fell inches short. Some said the puff of wind just as Haunfeldt's foot hit the ball was the ghost of Paul Eels.  When I want to get his goat, I remind Matthew that he never paid me that four bucks.  He asks me how many times he has to pay me.

Matthew and I went to the Alabama game the next week in Fayetteville.  I think he was still sore about losing the bet.  Maybe he was just bashful, but I couldn't get him to call the Hogs.  Then we went to the LSU game on a ten game winning streak.  When Darren McFadden came screaming up the east sideline headed for the north end zone, Matthew started yelling "Woo Pig Sooie" and hasn't stopped since.

Great stories.  Congratulations to your son on his offer(s), and to you.

[bphi11ips]

Great stories.  Congratulations to your son on his offer(s), and to you.

Thank you.  Very fun times at my house. I married the prettiest girl in law school. She's a huge fan, too. But it's our daughter who wants Matthew to go to Arkansas the worst. She's a sophomore (starts driving today 😯) and LOVES Fayetteville.

[AbqHog]

awesome posts...and Good Luck Matthew.  The Hogs need a great kicker.

[#1 STUNNA]

This is awesome!!

[Hog in Iowa]

I'm excited about the possibilities for this young man.  WPS!

[mhuff]

Stuff memories are made of.  I have two sons that have graduated from UA and grandsons that will follow in a few years. You couldn't find a better place to go to school or live.

[JIHawg]

I'm happy for you bpPhillips to have your son be a Hog.  It is so cool that a poster on this board who I respect has a son on the team.  Like FANONTHEHILL, you'll suddenly be an insider.  We expect a lot of insight from you the next four years.

[bphi11ips]

Stuff memories are made of.  I have two sons that have graduated from UA and grandsons that will follow in a few years. You couldn't find a better place to go to school or live.

Couldn't agree with you more. I've never been more proud to be an alum, and not because of this. We've been to many schools through the recruiting process.  No one has anything like the Jerry Jones Center. All 16 seniors last year graduated in 3 1/2 years. Arkansas has led the SEC in team GPA the last two years. People have been pinging me about Vandy, but when I did the research, Arkansas stands up well. The Walton School of Business is something special. Plus, 67% of Fortune 500 companies have an office within 30 minutes of campus. Talk about internship possibilities.

That's not to mention the Ozarks and campus and everything Fayetteville has to offer from Dickson to the Greek scene. UA literally blows every school away we've looked at in overall experience and value, including Ivy League schools. The football facilities are much better than Auburn. Nothing we've seen is close.

We definitely have reason to be proud. And the new staff is incredible.  Great things are ahead for the Razorbacks.

[bphi11ips]

I'm happy for you bpPhillips to have your son be a Hog.  It is so cool that a poster on this board who I respect has a son on the team.  Like FANONTHEHILL, you'll suddenly be an insider.  We expect a lot of insight from you the next four years.

Thanks!  I'm afraid FOTH is a better politician than I am. I may need to lay low.

[snoblind]

Thanks!  I’m afraid FOTH is a better politician than I am. I may need to lay low.

Congrats to Matthew and you.

[jgphillips3]

Thanks!  I'm afraid FOTH is a better politician than I am. I may need to lay low.

Nah.  If this staff keeps working this hard, won't be much to have to lay low about.  It's funny about the grandfather thing.  Law school delays marriage and family.  I'm 48 and my daughter is 13 so I kinda get the same thing. Congrats to your boy.  Sounds like he has lots of good options...and one best option of course.

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

Couldn't agree with you more. I've never been more proud to be an alum, and not because of this. We've been to many schools through the recruiting process.  No one has anything like the Jerry Jones Center. All 16 seniors last year graduated in 3 1/2 years. Arkansas has led the SEC in team GPA the last two years. People have been pinging me about Vandy, but when I did the research, Arkansas stands up well. The Walton School of Business is something special. Plus, 67% of Fortune 500 companies have an office within 30 minutes of campus. Talk about internship possibilities.

That's not to mention the Ozarks and campus and everything Fayetteville has to offer from Dickson to the Greek scene. UA literally blows every school away we've looked at in overall experience and value, including Ivy League schools. The football facilities are much better than Auburn. Nothing we've seen is close.

We definitely have reason to be proud. And the new staff is incredible.  Great things are ahead for the Razorbacks.

So happy for you guys.  UofA is a special place, and we just needed a good salesman/HC to help sell it, although once we get them up here it basically sells itself.  Can't wait to watch your son kick for the Hogs and help restore the program.

[East TN HAWG]

I'm his dad.  I'll be 56 Monday.  That's old enough to be his grandfather in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and some parts of Tennessee. 

+1  That was funny.  Congrats Dad

[bphi11ips]

+1  That was funny.  Congrats Dad

You know which part I'm talking about!

And thanks!

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Congrats to you and the "Fam", BP! I know you are all proud of Matthew!

[john]

Good luck to Matthew wherever he goes. But I'm hoping he's a Hog!

I think the more kids, and their families included, that we can get involved in our program that understand the history, passion, & what the Razorbacks mean to all of us fans, the better off we will be.

It's beyond time for some "good times"!

PS: Oh yeah, & it's totally awesome to jump on hogville & get insight from players parents who really understand how hard the kids work & how our faithful support can help them & unfounded criticism could hurt them or the program

[bphi11ips]

Congrats to you and the "Fam", BP! I know you are all proud of Matthew!

Thanks, Muskogee!  You know it's a long road.

[ricepig]

Nah.  If this staff keeps working this hard, won't be much to have to lay low about.  It's funny about the grandfather thing.  Law school delays marriage and family.  I'm 48 and my daughter is 13 so I kinda get the same thing. Congrats to your boy.  Sounds like he has lots of good options...and one best option of course.

Law school is 3 years, right? How many get married before 25 anyway?

[bphi11ips]

Law school is 3 years, right? How many get married before 25 anyway?

Ever read a John Grisham book?

[Oklahawg]

Ever read a John Grisham book?

Be careful asking HV posters to read. Besides HV, of course.

Great words in the thread, brotha Phillips! So happy for your son.

[ricepig]

Ever read a John Grisham book?

Yeah, quit them about 10 years ago as they all seemed the same. By the way, the mother of my children was in her last semester of law school when we married, first child was born 22 months later.

[bphi11ips]

Yeah, quit them about 10 years ago as they all seemed the same. By the way, the mother of my children was in her last semester of law school when we married, first child was born 22 months later.

Lawyers make good wives. Neither one of us had time to start a family out of law school. We got married a year and a half after graduation. She went to work for a mega-company and has steadily moved up to a great position. I worked like an associate in a Grisham book for six years to become a partner in a firm. Matthew was born the year I became a partner. My guess is farmers put in long hours, too.

[ricepig]

Lawyers make good wives. Neither one of us had time to start a family out of law school. We got married a year and a half after graduation. She went to work for a mega-company and has steadily moved up to a great position. I worked like an associate in a Grisham book for six years to become a partner in a firm. Matthew was born the year I became a partner. My guess is farmers put in long hours, too.

She worked for a few years as an in-house counsel, before becoming a fulltime mom. Long hours for the month of planting and month of harvest, outside of that it was banker's hours.

[HognotinMemphis]

I'm his dad.  I'll be 56 Monday.  That's old enough to be his grandfather in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and some parts of Tennessee. 

LOL, Bruce!

[oldfart]

LOL, Bruce!

have to confess im from "that part of Tennessee"... half the girls in my high school freshman class were married before we started sophomore year !!

[Tejano Jawg]

Excellent insight in this thread (PWO, etc). Thanks guys.

Oh, and big congrats bphi11ips. Very excited for you and your family. BTW, I'm 55 and my oldest son is a high school junior, so all the young parents throwing around "grandfather talk" can suck it. 

[Oklahawg]

Excellent insight in this thread (PWO, etc). Thanks guys.

Oh, and big congrats bphi11ips. Very excited for you and your family. BTW, I'm 55 and my oldest son is a high school junior, so all the young parents throwing around "grandfather talk" can suck it. 

Here here!!!!

[ricepig]

Excellent insight in this thread (PWO, etc). Thanks guys.

Oh, and big congrats bphi11ips. Very excited for you and your family. BTW, I'm 55 and my oldest son is a high school junior, so all the young parents throwing around "grandfather talk" can suck it. 

Well, I'm 59 and my youngest is a sophomore in high school, but there are days I feel like a grandfather.

[BirmingHam]

Excellent insight in this thread (PWO, etc). Thanks guys.

Oh, and big congrats bphi11ips. Very excited for you and your family. BTW, I'm 55 and my oldest son is a high school junior, so all the young parents throwing around "grandfather talk" can suck it. 

I'm 60 and my youngest graduates this year.  So..I agree about throwing around the "grandfather talk"

[bphi11ips]

Well, I'm 59 and my youngest is a sophomore in high school, but there are days I feel like a grandfather.

Kenny Rogers has us all beat. He's 79 and has 13-year-old twins boys.

[RockyMtnHog]

Congrats to this young man.  I'm going on 65 now with three grand kids.  The oldest is going on 21.  I do not think to much about being a grandfather.  My work keeps me going but there are days that I feel old as Hell trying to keep up with our young Airmen.

[ricepig]

Kenny Rogers has us all beat. He's 79 and has 13-year-old twins boys.

Are they older than his facelift?

[bphi11ips]

Are they older than his facelift?

Lol. Urban legend. Kenny had some surgery on his eyes years ago but it wasn't cosmetic.

[ricepig]

Lol. Urban legend. Kenny had some surgery on his eyes years ago but it wasn't cosmetic.

I guess he classified it differently, lol.

[bphi11ips]

I guess he classified it differently, lol.

I've known Kenny almost 20 years, and he hasn't had a "facelift" during that time. Not sure what he had when he and Dolly were "experimenting".  I'm pretty sensitive to the grief he gets about it, though. He comes across in that clip just like he does at home - a really good guy. Kenny treats the waitress at Waffle House the same way he treats the president of his record label.

[hoglady]

I'm his dad.  I'll be 56 Monday.  That's old enough to be his grandfather in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and some parts of Tennessee. 

Matthew does love the Hogs.  His first game was Vanderbilt in 2006.  He bet me $4 (his idea) that Vanderbilt would win. He wore a Razorbacks shirt to the game.  Arkansas led 14-13 at halftime, and he asked me to buy him a Vanderbilt shirt.  I did and breathed a sigh of relief as Brian Haunfeldt's game ending 51-yard field goal fell inches short. Some said the puff of wind just as Haunfeldt's foot hit the ball was the ghost of Paul Eels.  When I want to get his goat, I remind Matthew that he never paid me that four bucks.  He asks me how many times he has to pay me.

Matthew and I went to the Alabama game the next week in Fayetteville.  I think he was still sore about losing the bet.  Maybe he was just bashful, but I couldn't get him to call the Hogs.  Then we went to the LSU game on a ten game winning streak.  When Darren McFadden came screaming up the east sideline headed for the north end zone, Matthew started yelling "Woo Pig Sooie" and hasn't stopped since.

Congrats to your son!!
And a pretty good Birthday present for Dad, too.

[HognotinMemphis]

Excellent insight in this thread (PWO, etc). Thanks guys.

Oh, and big congrats bphi11ips. Very excited for you and your family. BTW, I'm 55 and my oldest son is a high school junior, so all the young parents throwing around "grandfather talk" can suck it. 

I'm 55 and my kids are about to be 29 and 26 and the oldest and her husband just had first grandchild. Feels good to have them grown and off the payroll at this age. BUT, if I still had a high schooler, I would be very happy about it.

[Vantage 8 dude]

I'm 55 and my kids are about to be 29 and 26 and the oldest and her husband just had first grandchild. Feels good to have them grown and off the payroll at this age. BUT, if I still had a high schooler, I would be very happy about it.

HIM, very curious about something. Seems like some time ago in another thread you mentioned you were past the age of 60. My memory fails me more often than I'd like these days so I just wanted to ensure I wasn't misremembering (how's that for a word) again. Sure enough when I checked your profile you indicated you're 75 (at least as of your profile date of 11/25/2005). So which is it: your stated age of 55 in today's post or the latter? Not that it matters all that much 'cause your age is your age, however, I just wanted to clear up an apparent inconsistency. For the sake of accuracy, and we all know how HV thrives on being totally accurate and precise,  just thought I'd ask the question.

[hogfaninmo]

Committed! PWO or schollie?

[WOOPIGDOOIE]

Committed! PWO or schollie?

PWO