Xavian Sorey Jr. leader of strong linebacker room

FAYETTEVILLE — Following the 2023 several key linebackers entered the transfer portal, but it completely changed after 2024 when the only ones who left were players not getting the reps they wanted.

Xavian Sorey Jr. transferred in following the 2023 season from Georgia. He became Arkansas’ leading tackler in 2024 with 99 tackles, including 41 solo, two sacks, a pass breakup and one interception. Sorey is now back for his second season to help lead Travis Williams’ unit.

“For me, I think when I got here and I was a new guy, I was more so wanting to learn a lot,” Sorey said Monday. “I still want to learn this year, but it’s more so building on that, what I’ve learned already. So being with Coach T-Will and the strength and training staff and stuff, it’s a lot to work on still.”

Arkansas held its first practice on Monday and will hit the practice fields again today at 4:10 p.m. Sorey talked about the offseason program for the team leading up to the spring drills.

“This offseason, it’s been a lot of lifting and running and stuff,” Sorey said. “Personally for me, I wanted to put on a little more weight and get a little stronger. That’s what I’ve been focusing on this offseason. Then like he said, just to get back with everybody in the group and stuff, team-wise, and just play football. That’s what I’m happy about. Playing football.”

Sorey, 6-3, 231, has others in the linebacker room returning with him.

“It’s very valuable,” Sorey said. “Me, Stephen Dix, Bradley Shaw, Wyatt Simmons, those guys, they was all here last year. And then we got freshmen that came in too. So I think our room, I think we’re gonna be good. I think we’re gonna be good. We got Coach T-Will leading it.”

Of that group, Dix was third on the team in tackles. He finished with 70, including 24 unassisted, two sacks, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery. The linebacker was the only room Arkansas didn’t add any recruits from the transfer portal at midterm. They did sign two high school linebackers including Tavion Wallace, who is a four-star and highest rated signee in the class, and JJ Shelton who was the Dallas Morning News’ Defensive Player of the Year for the Metroplex. Sorey is very high on Wallace.

“Oh yeah, Tavion, he’s athletic,” Sorey said. “He’s big, and I think when he got here, he said he was like 220 and it’s only been a couple weeks, and he’s already like 230-235. So, he’s been taking it serious in the weight room and training and stuff like that. And then he’s willing to grow and learn, ask a lot of questions. Even with the older guys on the defense, he’ll come up to us ask us questions and stuff. So, he’s not just asking coaches questions. He’s trying to learn from other players as well. That’s one of the big things I’ve taken away from him.”

Arkansas defeated Texas Tech to win the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and finished with a winning record, 7-6, as opposed to a losing one had they fell to the Red Raiders.

“I would say gave us confidence,” Sorey said. “Whether we were 7-6 or 6-6, I don’t know, I’d say give us confidence and something to work for. We don’t want no losses. That’s our goal for every season. We don’t want no losses.”

Sorey and the Razorbacks will play the spring game on Saturday, April 19, beginning at 1 p.m.