The Big Honker Podcast

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Branndon Stewart, the quarterback who led Texas A&M University to its only Big 12 Championship and first BCS bowl appearance. Before arriving in College Station, Stewart was at the center of one of college football’s most fascinating quarterback battles at University of Tennessee, where he competed for playing time with future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.

One of the nation's top recruits coming out of high school, Stewart led Stephenville to its first state football championship in 1993 before signing with Tennessee. As a true freshman, he split time at quarterback with Manning during a season that sparked intense debate among fans and media over who should lead the Volunteers.

The guys discuss Stewart’s remarkable high school career, the recruiting process that led him to choose Tennessee over several powerhouse programs, and the controversy that surrounded the quarterback competition in Knoxville. Stewart shares his perspective on competing alongside Peyton Manning and navigating the pressure that came with being one of the most highly touted quarterbacks in the country.

The conversation also covers his decision to transfer to Texas A&M following the 1994 season, his role in leading the Aggies to the 1998 Big 12 Championship, and how the cultures in Knoxville and College Station differed.

Finally, Stewart reflects on life after football, discussing how he transitioned from the game and found success in business and life beyond the gridiron.

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Dawson Yates, founder of the Talkin' Timber apparel line.

Dawson shares his journey from playing college basketball to becoming deeply immersed in the world of waterfowl hunting. He discusses how a passion for duck hunting led him to lifelong friendships and incredible hunting opportunities that have come from being part of the waterfowl community.

Dawson also opens up about his struggles with mental health. He explains how being honest and transparent about his own challenges has allowed him to connect with and help others facing similar battles, and how those conversations have, in turn, become an important part of his own healing and growth.

In this series, Jeff & Andy dive into a mix of useless facts, myths, forgotten stories, and strange truths.

In this episode, Jeff details the mysterious circumstances around the death of former Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon and Andy shares the story of the oldest man to storm the beaches of Normandy.

This series is brought to you by the amazing Cedar Run Decoys.

This series highlights the highs and lows of hunting public land across different regions of America — the early mornings, the pressure, the competition, and the grind that comes with earning every bird.

In this episode, Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Joseph Brown from Georgia.

The guys discuss the most commonly harvested ducks in Georgia, the predawn road trips required to beat the crowds to the boat ramp, and the incredible variety of waterfowl habitat found throughout the state. From freshwater ponds and river systems to the brackish coastal marshes, Joseph explains what makes duck hunting in Georgia such a unique experience.

Joseph also shares his passion for traveling to hunt, including his love for hunting in Montana and an unforgettable public land waterfowl hunt in Oregon. He discusses what makes those destinations special, the challenges of hunting unfamiliar ground, and the rewards that come from exploring new flyways and landscapes.

This series is brought to you by the great people at Chêne Gear.

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Stacey Coker, fresh off a once-in-a-lifetime Gould’s turkey hunt in Chihuahua.

Stacey walks the guys through the entire adventure, from the long journey from the airport to a remote hunting camp deep in the mountains, to striking up his first Gould’s turkey and spending a week off the grid in old Mexico. He also shares stories about camp life, the local culture, and the unforgettable cuisine.

The conversation then turns to the decline of upland bird hunting in Stacey’s part of the country and how the collapse of the fur market has impacted predator control and upland bird populations. They also discuss Stacey’s upcoming tripletail fishing trip to Venice, one of the premier saltwater fishing destinations on the Gulf Coast.

To wrap things up, Stacey shares a hair-raising story about encountering an unexpected hitchhiker in the middle of a remote holler.

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are both back from their respective travels—Jeff from Las Vegas and Andy from Grand Cayman.

The guys recap their trips, with Jeff sharing how Vegas has changed since his last visit, while Andy looks back at his first family trip to Grand Cayman. 

The conversation then shifts to the growing demand for electricity in parts of Nevada, where utility providers are exploring ways to directly supply power to expanding data centers while leaving the residents unsure of where their electricity will come from, they also dives into the history of Grand Cayman, the lasting influence of British colonialism, and how the island developed into one of the Caribbean’s most well-known destinations.

To wrap things up, the guys discuss the Women's College World Series, and the growing national disdain for Texas Tech University.

In this series, Jeff & Andy dive into a mix of useless facts, myths, forgotten stories, and strange truths.

In this episode, Jeff challenges Andy with some pop quiz questions, and Andy explores the rich history of the FDNY.

This series is brought to you by the amazing Cedar Run Decoys.

This series highlights the highs and lows of hunting public land across different regions of America — the early mornings, the pressure, the competition, and the grind that comes with earning every bird.

In this episode, Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Jaden Winder from Missouri.

The guys discuss Jaden’s routine for hunting public land ducks in Missouri, including the preparation, scouting, and strategy that go into consistently finding success on heavily pressured public ground. They also break down how this past duck hunting season played out across the Show-Me State and share insights into what hunters experienced throughout the migration.

Along the way, they dive into interesting facts about waterfowl hunting in Missouri, why the state remains one of the top destinations for duck hunters, and the unique challenges that come with hunting public water.

Of course, they had to touch on one of the hottest debates in the hunting world—flooded corn and its impact on duck hunting.

This series is brought to you by the great people at Chêne Gear.

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Ryan Barnes, the new Editor-in-Chief of Wildfowl Magazine, one of the most respected publications in the world of waterfowl hunting.

The guys discuss Ryan’s journey to earning the top role at Wildfowl, the added responsibilities that come with leading such a prestigious hunting magazine, and the passion for storytelling and the pursuit of honesty that drives the publication.

They also dive into what separates Wildfowl from other outdoor and hunting magazines, the importance of preserving quality outdoor journalism, and where Ryan believes the print industry is headed as digital media continues to reshape the hunting world.

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver are joined by Lee Greeson, one of the most accomplished high school football coaches in Texas. Over the course of his career, Lee worked with several powerhouse football programs and spent time coaching under the legendary Art Briles during his years at Stephenville.

The guys discuss what it takes to build and sustain a dominant Texas high school football program, the pressure and scrutiny that come with long-term success, and the fierce competition that defines football in Texas. Lee also shares insights into the culture and mystique surrounding Friday night lights, and why high school football holds such a unique place in Texas communities.

They also dive into preparing athletes for the jump to college football, the changing expectations placed on young players, and how the rise of NIL has completely reshaped the modern football landscape.