FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Linebacker depth won’t be a concern for Arkansas in the coming years.
The Razorbacks are anchored by standout Xavian Sorey, a former 5-star recruit who led the team with 99 tackles last season.
Sorey has earned the trust and respect of both coaches and teammates, known for giving his all on every snap.
“I love Sorey,” said teammate Worth. “He’s like a brother to me, on and off the field. I never take him for granted — and neither does the rest of the defense.”
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas continues to build around a linebacker corps led by Xavian Sorey, whose quiet confidence and versatility set him apart.
“He’s not the loudest guy,” said teammate Worth. “He’s more laid back. But I promise you — he gets the job done, on and off the field, every single time.”
At 6-foot-3 and 231 pounds, Sorey is a flexible piece in the Razorbacks’ front seven. While he notched just two sacks last season, his pass-rushing ability is considered underrated. His ability to play multiple positions makes him a key asset in the defensive scheme.
After starting all 13 games last year, Sorey continues to grow. Defensive coordinator Travis Williams praised his development, especially his football IQ and leadership.
“Man, [Sorey’s] just grasping the scheme,” Williams said during spring practice. “He’s asking the right questions, and even more impressive — he’s helping the younger guys understand what we’re doing. That’s always a good sign.”
Sorey’s steady grasp of Arkansas’ defensive scheme has been a key factor in his on-field development—and it’s also preparing him well for the next level.
“We talk about it a lot,” said linebackers coach Travis Williams. “I tell him, ‘This time next year, you’re going to be sitting in those [NFL Combine] interview rooms. GMs and coaches are going to ask you these questions.’ So we draw it up, talk through it. He’s really become a student of the game.”
The Razorbacks will rely heavily on Sorey to anchor the defense this season, but he’s confident in the linebacker corps around him, thanks to their collective experience.
“Our experience is huge,” Sorey said. “Me, Stephen Dix, Bradley Shaw, Wyatt Simmons—we were all here last year. Plus, we’ve got some talented freshmen coming in. Our room is strong. And with Coach T-Will leading us, we’re going to be just fine.”
Dix joined Arkansas in the spring via the transfer portal, bringing a fresh perspective after a career that began with injuries at Florida State. After a bounce-back season at Marshall in 2023, he transferred to Arkansas, where he notched a career-high 72 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks.
“Anytime I top my previous stats, that’s a win,” Dix said. “But doing it at a higher level—especially in the SEC, which I think is the best conference in college football—shows how much I’ve grown. Now I just want to keep improving on the little things.”
Much like Sorey, Dix brings a wealth of experience to the field. Entering his final year of eligibility, he’s focused on mastering every aspect of the linebacker position and leaving no room for doubt about his readiness for the next level.
“I’ve got a lot of experience, so now I’m focused on locking in those intricate details—things that may seem simple at first, but I want to master them until I just can’t get them wrong,” said Stephen Dix. “That’s the biggest thing for me—staying consistent and finding ways to improve in every aspect.”
Sophomore Bradley Shaw is poised to step into a bigger role this season as the Razorbacks’ third linebacker in the rotation.
With defensive coordinator Travis Williams moving away from a four-down front and reducing his reliance on Cover Zero, Shaw’s versatility as an edge rusher makes him a valuable weapon in pressure packages.
“If we end up playing a lot of three-down fronts, I think [Bradley Shaw] could be our fourth defensive lineman, depending on the scheme,” head coach Sam Pittman said on April 15. “He’s a really good player who can run, so he’ll play a ton of football for us.
“How much will depend on whether we stay in that odd front with a big on the edge, or go with Bradley Shaw in that role.”
Though Shaw primarily contributed on special teams in 2024, he still managed to record 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and a quarterback hurry in 12 appearances.
Another name to watch is UCF transfer Andrew Harris, a former 4-star recruit who brings ideal size for Williams’ system. The 6-foot-3, 223-pound linebacker played in 14 games over the past two seasons, tallying 14 tackles and one tackle for loss.
Harris was a major get for UCF’s 2023 class, signing as the No. 6 highest-rated player in program history. He was ranked No. 280 overall, No. 24 among linebackers, and No. 52 in the state of Florida. He also had a pre-existing relationship with Williams, who recruited him while serving as UCF’s defensive coordinator under Gus Malzahn—a connection that ultimately led Harris to Arkansas.
The cornerstone of Arkansas’ 2025 class is 5-star linebacker Tavion Wallace, who is expected to make an early impact.
When Wallace committed to the Razorbacks, he was ranked the No. 39 overall prospect in the nation by 247Sports. His pledge sparked widespread excitement inside the football facility—including a viral post from his future defensive coordinator on X, showing just how much his commitment meant to the program.
During the spring, Tavion Wallace primarily worked with the second team but still stood out as an early enrollee making strong impressions.
“He’s doing really good stuff,” linebackers coach Travis Williams said. “It’s great to see those freshmen out there learning the system and moving around. [Wallace] looks like an SEC linebacker—he’s got the size, the length, everything you look for. And off the field, he’s a really smart, high-character kid.”
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