Mbake Makes Case for Returning to Hogs in Job Interview Type Performance

Former Arkansas receiver still working with Razorback athletics department, details what led to exit, desire to return

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Dec 29, 2023 11:19 AM EST
Original:
Dec 29, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – They always say dress for the job you want, and for wide receiver Sam Mbake, that job is Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver.

In an interview on the "Wu Pig Podcast," Mbake showed up in a nice gray blazer with a buttoned up Razorback red and white polo complete with an Arkansas Razorback pin attached to the lapel of his coat. Combine the look with his words, and there's no doubt Mbake looked at the appearance as more of a job interview than simply coming on to shoot the breeze.

"You know I love Arkansas," Mbake said. "I love everybody who's been here all the way from like the people from the academic people up there, Mr. Evans and those people, all the way even like Coach Pitt and stuff like that. Sometimes, you know, you have to hold people in your program accountable for what they've done, and I fully respect that and I understand why he did that. But you know, yeah, if ever a time the chance came around in life for me to come back, I definitely would come back. It's a great atmosphere."

According to Mbake, he technically hasn't left. He said he's still doing rehab for an ACL tear that knocked him out of a potential starting role prior to the season and training with the Arkansas athletics department despite being in the transfer portal.

"Yeah, I still been connected with the Arkansas athletic department," Mbake said. "They've really been doing a really good job taking care of me."

Ultimately, the decision to remove Mbake from the team was head coach Sam Pittman's. However, there's no doubt he's hoping the addition of offensive coordinator Bobby Petriino and whomever the new wide receivers coach turns out to be will see he sincerely wants to return to the Razorback program and convince Pittman to give him a second chance. That argument began by explaining what he believes were his mistakes and taking responsibility for them.

"I was crutches for about two months," Mbake said. "So, I would say I take full accountability for you know all my actions as I should, but you know, sometimes like maybe in the mornings, like I might be a little late like a training because I'd be on crutches things like that. But really the whole thing that like sealed the deal that really got me kicked off the team was the morning of the Auburn weekend. I'm trying to recall the date, but I don't remember, but I got pulled over and then that's where they had told me like okay, like just don't come to the game today, which is taught me on Monday."

He later said he was going at least 30 mph over the speed limit, but clarified he wasn't going over 100. Mbake was then given the floor to address rumors that personal problems with freshman defensive back wide receiver Jalon Braxton created by his role in the ACL tear may have caused issues that led to his dismissal also.

"The guy who hurt me, Jaylon Braxton, All-America freshman this year, I mean, I really been keeping up with him actually since I got injured," Mbake said. "I think that really brought us closer together, me just being able to like voice to him like 'Hey, although I'm hurt, you weat that No. 11 [like me]. You got to put on like you know what I was going to do. You got to finish the job."

Beyond the physical rehab, he says he's trying to also repair his psychological and spiritual self also as part of the process to put him in the best spot to resume his football career, even if that means having to play somewhere other than Arkansas.

"After communicating with some family, we really feel like it's in my best interest just for me to go ahead just fully, you know, resurface," Mbake said. "Just get even closer with like the Lord. Just my whole faith. Just get my whole grit and passion back for the game to a whole 'nother level because I'm a very passionate person about the game. But right now in my life, I feel like it's a very like crucial time for me to really recenter myself and really find out why I truly love football."

Still, Arkansas is where he wants to be, so the ex-Razorback wide receiver wasn't going to miss an opportunity to butter up his former coaches and teammates one last time in what was essentially his closing argument.

"I'm gonna say the people y'all got here, they're really really determined," Mbake said. "... This past season, there was a bunch of uncertainty. There was a bunch of things that just didn't look right. But just trust in the guys that y'all got here. Just know those guys, they're really something, like best guys around the country. It's just when the pieces get going and moving in the right direction, the Razorbacks will be back on top."

Spoken like a true company man with the company look to go with it.