Arkansas Celebrates as Six Razorbacks Named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-SEC Teams

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Six Razorbacks Named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-SEC Teams, Led by First-Teamers Carmona and Shanks

Arkansas football placed six players on Phil Steele’s preseason All-SEC teams, headlined by first-team selections Fernando Carmona (offensive guard) and Kam Shanks (punt returner). Both players also earned preseason All-America honors — Shanks as a first-team pick and Carmona on the second team.

Joining Carmona and Shanks in receiving preseason SEC recognition were Cam Ball (second-team defensive tackle), Corey Robinson II (third-team offensive tackle), Devin Bale (third-team punter), and Xavian Sorey Jr. (fourth-team linebacker).

Carmona was a cornerstone of the Razorbacks’ offensive line in 2024, starting all 13 games and helping Arkansas average 459.5 yards per game — 10th nationally. The Las Vegas native helped protect an offense that finished 18th in passing (274.7 yards/game). His efforts were instrumental in two of the program’s top 10 all-time single-game yardage totals, including 673 yards (359 rushing, 314 passing) in a 58-25 win over Mississippi State and 687 yards in a season-opening 70-0 rout of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Notably, he did not allow a sack in either game.

Shanks transferred from UAB and instantly became one of the nation’s most dynamic return men. In 2024, the Prattville, Ala., product led the FBS in punt return yards (329), average (20.6), and touchdowns (2), earning a spot as a Jet Award finalist. He also proved effective as a receiver, logging two 100-yard games — including a career-best 153 yards and three touchdowns against Tulsa.

Ball, a redshirt junior, started all 13 games at defensive tackle and set a career high with 47 tackles, including four for loss and 1.5 sacks. The Atlanta native also recorded two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. He notched a career-best seven tackles in the regular-season finale at Missouri and played a key role in the Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech with five stops and a QB hurry.

Robinson, entering his redshirt senior year after transferring from Georgia Tech, started the final seven games of 2024 and helped the Yellow Jackets average 186.8 rushing yards per game — third-best in the ACC. He graded out as the top pass-blocker among Power 4 offensive linemen with a 91.2 mark from Pro Football Focus and anchored an offense that eclipsed 500 yards three times, including 563 against No. 2 Georgia.

In his Razorback debut season, punter Devin Bale averaged 45.2 yards on 41 punts (1,855 total yards). He pinned 11 punts inside the 20 and hit 11 punts of 50+ yards, including a 66-yarder against No. 4 Tennessee. His average would’ve ranked in the national top 15 had he met the minimum attempt threshold.

Sorey, a first-year Razorback, led the team in total tackles (99) and tied for the lead in tackles for loss (9.5). He added two sacks, an interception, a pass breakup, and three quarterback hurries. The junior linebacker averaged 7.6 tackles per game — sixth-best in the SEC — and paced the team in tackles in five of 13 games.

Arkansas opens the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 30, hosting Alabama A&M at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network.