Best Jacksonstate Podcasts (2025)

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Randy Watkins joins the pod. It’s Ryder Cup Week, but there are huge football games, too 35:23

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6h ago35:23

35:23

Our resident golf expert Randy Watkins breaks down the Ryder Cup. Our discussion also includes LSU-Ole Miss, Mississippi State-Tennessee and a whole lot more.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Big starts for Mississippi’s ‘Big 3’ 30:19

7d ago30:19

30:19

Ole Miss and Mississippi State move to 3-0 and Southern Miss picks up a pivotal win over Appalachian State, plus the Saints finding new ways to lose and one singular high school performance that tested the record books.By Crooked Letter Sports

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As the football world turns (and Mississippi State shows up) … 25:43

14d ago25:43

25:43

An eventful week in Mississippi football is highlighted by Mississippi State’s huge, exhilarating victory over No. 12 Arizona State.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Mississippi football’s big opening weekend 24:17

22d ago24:17

24:17

The 2025 football season is underway, as both Ole Miss and Mississippi State moved to 1-0 with opening game wins. Tyler talks high school upsets and Rick breaks down the Bulldogs’ win over Southern Miss in Hattiesburg. Plus, how many commercials is too many commercials?By Crooked Letter Sports

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Finally, football is here, so let’s talk a little swimming 20:31

29d ago20:31

20:31

Football starts this weekend, but it’s not every day we have a world champion in Mississippi. That’s what 17-year-old Rachel McAlpin of Brandon is after the world junior swimming championships in Romania last week. Of course, there’s also a football discussion, including the big State-Southern Miss game in Hattiesburg and what T.C. Taylor has in mi…

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Brandon High football coach Lance Pogue joins the podcast. 30:10

1M ago30:10

30:10

Lance Pogue has coached Mississippi high school football teams to 246 victories and 71 defeats, an incredible winning rate of 78 percent. He has won five state championships and one national championship. Now, he takes on another challenge at Brandon High School.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Here are the football games we most look forward to this fall. 31:14

1M ago31:14

31:14

Hard to believe the Mississippi football season opens later this month. Not so hard to believe is that the Clevelands have looked ahead at the schedule and picked the five most interesting high school and college football games on the schedule. A hint: You don’t have to wait long for one some of the most intriguing games, both high school and colle…

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The Dog Days of Summer in sports... 23:16

2M ago23:16

23:16

We are in that period of the sports calendar when baseball is winding down and football talk is heating up. The Clevelands discuss Saints pre-season camp, the college football preseason rankings, the lowly Atlanta Braves, and much more.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Former award-winning Clarion Ledger sports editor Rusty Hampton joins the podcast to discuss the glory years of sports writing in Mississippi 26:03

2M ago26:03

26:03

Rusty Hampton was the sports editor at the Clarion Ledger for 11 years and worked there for 25 years in two different stints. He talks about some of the highlights, including Mississippi State’s amazing run to the 1996 Final Four. Also discussed: a salute to Ryne Sandberg, the SEC preseason football poll, and Konnor Griffin, the newly elevated top …

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Derrick Nix and Dexter McCluster both go into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame this Saturday night. “Two of the biggest hearts I have ever covered,” Rick Cleveland says. Nix joins the podcast to talk ... 27:08

2M ago27:08

27:08

Derrick Nix played much of his college football career, hindered by a life-threatening kidney problem that sapped his strength and ended his playing career prematurely. Dexter McCluster spent much of his career with coaches and talent evaluators telling him he was too small. Eventually, Nix became McCluster’s coach at Ole Miss. Saturday night, they…

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The Open goes to Northern Ireland 29:20

2M ago29:20

29:20

Randy Watkins returns to the Crooked Letter pod to discuss The Open, where the weather will be wet, windy and coolish at Royal Portrush. Scottie Scheffler will be the betting favorite, but the Europeans, including Rory McIlroy, definitely will have a home-course advantage. The recent Major League Draft also will be discussed.…

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The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of ‘25 24:00

3M ago24:00

24:00

The MSHOF will induct eight new members on Aug 2. Rick Cleveland has covered them all and he and son Tyler talk about what makes them all special.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Soon to be Hall of Famer Mike Justice joins the podcast. 34:21

3M ago34:21

34:21

Before he became a Hall of Fame football coach and won 297 games, Mike Justice played on Mississippi’s first integrated high school football team in Fulton. Justice talks about that and a lot more.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Soon-to-be Hall of Famer Scott Berry joins the podcast. 39:48

3M ago39:48

39:48

We begin a series of podcasts with Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, which will be inducted the first weekend in August. First up is highly successful baseball coach Scott Berry, who won big first at Meridian Community College and then at Southern Miss.By Crooked Letter Sports

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So much to discuss… 24:09

3M ago24:09

24:09

This week’s pod touches on a number of subjects: the grit of J.J. Spaun, Cam Akers to the Saints, the College World Series, the NBA playoffs and tomato pie.By Crooked Letter Sports

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When golf becomes a horror show… 38:54

4M ago38:54

38:54

With the U.S. Open returning to diabolical Oakmont, Jackson’s Mr. Golf, Randy Watkins, returns to Crooked Letter to discuss what golfers will face. Watkins, who once played in the US. Open at famed Winged Foot, knows a thing or two about high rough, slick greens and fairways only slightly wider than hallways. The Clevelands and Watkins also discuss…

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College baseball wrap 25:11

4M ago25:11

25:11

So much to discuss, including bitter endings Monday night to the Ole Miss and Southern Miss baseball seasons, a new baseball beginning with Brian O’Connor at Mississippi State, the SEC’s surprisingly poor showing in NCAA regionals, and the success of the little guys (Murray State, UTSA, Little Rock, Wright State, etc.) Also, a salute to LSU-Shrevep…

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Michael La Sasso of Ole Miss claims NCAA individual golf championship, while Ole Miss, Southern Miss and Mississippi State enter NCAA Baseball Tournament play 22:43

4M ago22:43

22:43

La Sasso becomes the second Rebel ever to win the NCAA golf title, which qualifies him for the U.S. Open in two weeks and next April’s Masters. Also, the Clevelands discuss how Mississippi’s baseball coaches should address pitching in the upcoming NCAA Regionals.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Baseball, baseball, baseball … and Davis Riley 24:48

4M ago24:48

24:48

The best baseball teams in Mississippi, high school and college will be busy in post-season tournament play this week. Meanwhile, Davis Riley was pretty busy and pretty successful last weekend.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Belhaven softball coach Kevin Griffin, father of 19-year-old baseball prodigy Konnor Griffin, makes a return Crooked Letter appearance 28:20

4M ago28:20

28:20

Griffin talks about his Blazers team, which enters the NCAA softball championship tournament this week, and about his famous son who is killing it in his first season of professional baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization. The Clevelands also size up Mississippi teams entering the final week of college baseball season and also discuss nex…

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Pine Belt News sports editor Andrew Abadie joins the pod to talk all things Southern Miss, Bobby Halford’s latest achievement and high school baseball excellence in the Hattiesburg area 24:46

5M ago24:46

24:46

Abadie, who might be the busiest man in Misssissippi sports, is always especially when the high school, junior college and college baseball seasons move into playoff mode.By Crooked Letter Sports

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What next for Mississippi State baseball? 21:51

5M ago21:51

21:51

Mississippi State didn’t even wait until the end of the season to fire Chris Lemonis, who brought the national championship to Starkville not quite four years ago. Where do the Bulldogs go from here. Robbie Faulk who covers the Bulldogs more closely than anyone else joins the podcast to discuss the situation.…

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What should the Saints do? Jaxson Dart? 23:22

5M ago23:22

23:22

The Clevelands take a comprehensive look at this weekend’s NFL Draft, assessing Mississippi prospects and what the New Orleans Saints should do with the ninth pick. Many experts believe the Saints will take Ole Miss quarterback Dart, but the Clevelands are not so sure. It would not be the first time the Saints have taken an Ole Miss QB in the first…

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Basking in the glow of The Masters… 27:05

5M ago27:05

27:05

Has a sporting event ever produced more drama than the 2025 Masters? Has any network ever displayed it better than CBS? No and no, say the Clevelands, who also opine on the sad case of former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, Mississippi’s college baseball teams, and what the Saints should do at quarterback.…

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Masters week is back and so is Mississippi’s Mr. Golf, Randy Watkins 35:52

6M ago35:52

35:52

Former SEC golf champion and PGA touring pro is Crooked Letter’s resident expert on all things golf. He’s back with us to tell us who might win this week’s Masters and why.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Springtime in Mississippi 23:41

6M ago23:41

23:41

The Ole Miss basketball season draws to a close in the Sweet 16, just as college baseball (and the weather) heat up. Rick opines on how the season is shaping up, while Tyler wonders whether the Braves will ever win.By Crooked Letter Sports

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How sweet it is for Ole Miss 25:43

6M ago25:43

25:43

Former college and NBA coach - and friend of the pod - Tim Floyd joins the show to talk about Ole Miss’ success in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.By Crooked Letter Sports

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At the intersection of basketball and baseball… 25:00

6M ago25:00

25:00

We cover a busy Mississippi scene in both hoops and hardball with a little Jaxson Dart to the Saints projection thrown in for good measure.

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Raymond basketball coach Tony Tadlock joins us to talk about high school basketball championships and this week’s SEC Tournament 30:18

7M ago30:18

30:18

One of the state’s top basketball coaches, Tadlock overcame the loss of all five starters from last year’s championship team and losing his leading scorer this season, to win a second straight state championship and the seventh in school history. Tadlock talks about how he works with a 40-man basketball roster and maintaining a remarkable winning c…

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Jackson suburbs rule in high school hoops … and a whole lot more. 26:45

7M ago26:45

26:45

Germantown, Ridgeland, Canton and Raymond all won State Championships, showing how the power has shifted in Mississippi high school hoops. Plus we get up to date with college basketball, college baseball and the amazing Konnor Griffin story.By Crooked Letter Sports

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The week begins with three Mississippi teams in the Top 25 D-! Baseball poll. 20:17

7M ago20:17

20:17

Southern Miss and Ole Miss got some welcomed news as both joined Mississippi State, giving the Magnolia State three teams in this week;s college baseball poll. Otherwise, the college basketball grind continues and the best high school basketball teams converge on Jackson for the annual MHSAA boys and girls state tournament.…

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State finishes the sweep, college baseball returns 24:36

7M ago24:36

24:36

Mississippi State makes a statement with a quality win over Ole Miss, improving their NCAA Tournament resume. Rick pontificates on the importance of the Dawgs win, as well as the opening weekend of college baseball and the direction of the new Saints regime.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Southern Miss football coach Charles Huff joins the show. 36:42

8M ago36:42

36:42

Charles Huff left the Sun Belt championship Marshall football program to take over the job at Southern Miss, which finished last. He talks about the difficult task ahead of him in his Crooked Letter debut. Also, the Clevelands discuss the Super Bowl, college basketball and the up[coming weekend of college baseball.…

1
Noland “Super Gnat” Smith, who still bleeds Kansas City Chiefs red, joins the pod. 28:37

8M ago28:37

28:37

What do the Super Bowl and Jackson’s own Noland Smith have in common? Both got their nicknames from Lamar Hunt, for whom the Super Bowl winners’ trophy is named. Super Gnat, all 5 feet, 6 inches and 154 pounds of him, took the NFL by storm in the last 1960s with his blazing speed and quickness on kick returns.…

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Questions: Can the Eagles get the Chiefs this time? Can anybody block Chris Jones? 21:38

8M ago21:38

21:38

The Clevelands discuss a familiar Super Bowl matchup and whether or not the Philadelphia Eagles – or anyone else – can block Chris Jones, the NFL’s most intimidating defensive player. The seesaw fortunes of Ole Miss and Mississippi State in the SEC basketball race, Jackson State basketball and Southern Miss are also part of today’s discussion, alon…

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Ohio State won it all, but where would Ole Miss been with Quinshon Jundkins? 19:31

8M ago19:31

19:31

Lots to talk about on the days after the national championship game, but im Mississippi, especially in Oxford, much of the talk is about what might have been had Judkins stayed at Ole Miss. Also, the Clevelands discuss Egg Bowl basketball, the grueling SEC schedule, the NFL playoffs, and the John Wade’s saga at Southern Miss.…

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Mississippi’s college hoops revival (and rivalry) 26:39

8M ago26:39

26:39

Don’t look now, but the Magnolia State has two ranked teams on a collision course for a Saturday showdown in Starkville this weekend. Rick and Tyler talk about what makes both Ole Miss and Mississippi State so solid, and check in on a JSU squad that is 3-0 to start SWAC play. Plus, Rick’s NFL playoff picks and a sneak peak at the CFB National Champ…

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Putting a wrap on the Saints and Rebels, and lots more. 26:52

9M ago26:52

26:52

Following a holiday break, the Clevelands put a lid on the Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints football seasons. Also in the discussion are Southern Miss’s 25-player haul in the transfer portal, including 16 from Marshall. Rick also gives his memories of Magnolia State football heroes Jerald Baylis and Dontae Walker…

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2024, the Mississippi sports year in review… 29:03

9M ago29:03

29:03

The Clevelands review the year that was in Mississippi sports (and take a brief look forward to 2025).By Crooked Letter Sports

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Ole Miss basketball coach Chris Beard joins the pod… 29:14

9M ago29:14

29:14

Chris Beard has his second Ole Miss basketball team ranked No. 17 nationally in the latest Associated Press basketball poll. Beard, whose first Ole Miss team won 20 games, has lost only once and that by two points to Purdue, which lost in the national championship game last season. Beard talks about his team’s early success and what it faces in the…

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Jeremy McClain talks Huff Hire 27:39

10M ago27:39

27:39

So much to cover on this week’s podcast but Southern Miss’s surprising hire of Marshall coach Charles Huff tops the list, and USM athletic director Jeremy McClain joins the podcast to discuss. Also, a recap of the high school state championships, more college football and, in case no one has noticed, we have two Top 25 basketball teams in Mississip…

1
State Championship Week and more… 29:06

10M ago29:06

29:06

Seven high school championship football games will be played Thursday through Saturday at The Rock in Hattiesburg. There are intriguing matchups, involving some of the top recruits in the state. Also, the Clevelands discuss last week’s Egg Bowl, the college football playoffs, the job vacancy at Southern Miss and violence in the NFL.…

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The Egg Bowl edition 22:49

10M ago22:49

22:49

Ole Miss is a whopping 26-point favorite. A State victory likely would be the biggest upset in Egg Bowl history. As the Clevelands discuss, despite the old saying that you can throw the records out in a rivalry game, the better team almost always wins. The most memorable Egg Bowls are discussed at length.…

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Mississippi College football is no more 32:17

10M ago32:17

32:17

Monday’s news that Mississippi College will become Mississippi Christian University and discontinue the sport of football caught everyone off guard, including the Clevelands. Fred McAfee, the most famous player in M.C. history, heard the news on the radio and said he felt like he had lost a family member. The Saints, Ole Miss-Florida, and college b…

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Newly elected Hall of Famer Mike Justice joins the pod 37:32

11M ago37:32

37:32

Mike Justice, who won state championships at Calhoun City, Louisville and Madison Central, joins the Clevelands to talk about his Hall of Fame career, Ole Miss-Georgia, the Saints, the high school playoffs and Jeff Lebby’s Mississippi State program.By Crooked Letter Sports

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Rod Walker joins the pod to talk Saints, Dennis Allen. 31:31

11M ago31:31

31:31

Yazoo City native and former Jackson sports writer Rod Walker, who writes his columns in New Orleans now, wrote last week that if the Saints did not beat Carolina, Dennis Allen would not keep his job. The Saints lost and Allen was fired. Walker talks Saints and also discusses Ole Miss’s chances against Georgia and the state of football at his alma …

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Hattiesburg’s Tony “The Tiger” Vance joins the podcast. 32:58

11M ago32:58

32:58

Highly respected and highly successful Hattiesburg High football coach Tony Vance, whose Tigers are 8-0, joins the podcast. Vance’s Tigers head to the metro area this Friday to face Terry. Hattiesburg is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A and led by quarterback Deuce Vance, Tony’s son. Tony will also coach Mississippi in the annual Misssissippi-Alabama All-S…

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McDonald’s All American, All-SEC, NBA All-Star, NBA champion, Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer … and now Mo Williams joins the Crooked Letter podcast. 34:56

11M ago34:56

34:56

So much to discuss with the great Mo Williams: His JSU basketball team, his marvelously talented sons, growing up in Jackson, his NBA basketball career, playing with Lebron, playing against Allen Iverson, NIL, the transfer portal … and so much more.By Rick Cleveland & Tyler Cleveland

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In the immortal words of Casey Stengel: Can’t anybody here play this game? 21:45

11M ago21:45

21:45

It was a lost weekend for Mississipp’s college football teams and the New Orleans Saints. Ole Miss lost in overtime to LSU. Mississippi State again showed improvement in a loss to Georgia. Southern Miss lost again at Louisiana-Monroe. And the Saints dropped a division game to the Tampa Bay Bucs. Tyler Cleveland: “Every team I pull for loses.” So, i…

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All hail Vanderbilt! And, meanwhile, another big Ole Miss-LSU game… 33:28

12M ago33:28

33:28

So much to discuss and dissect this week: Vandy toppling Bama, Ole Miss righting the ship and preparing for LSU, a banner Sanderson Farms Championship that now has new life, and how injuries killed the Atlanta Braves and are ruining a promising Saints season. All that and more…