Xavian Sorey Jr. Primed for Another All-SEC Season

The 6-foot-3 redshirt senior from Campbellton, Florida, had a breakout season in 2024, leading the Razorbacks in tackles. His performance earned him a spot on the All-SEC third team. As one of the key returners on defense, Sorey will look to build on that honor in 2025. Once a highly regarded high school prospect, Sorey has found a new home with the Hogs and made his impact felt under defensive coordinator Travis Williams.

Sorey’s Path to Arkansas

High School

Sorey began his high school career at Graceville High School before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida. He finished as the No. 2 linebacker in the nation and a composite five-star prospect in the class of 2021 according to 247Sports. One of the most sought-after recruits in the country, he earned offers from national powers such as Georgia, Alabama, Clemson and Michigan. He ultimately committed to Georgia and head coach Kirby Smart in a loaded 2021 recruiting class.

Georgia

Sorey enrolled early in January 2021 and participated in spring practices. He was redshirted after appearing in four games that fall against UAB, Missouri, Charleston Southern and Georgia Tech. He recorded a tackle and an interception against Charleston Southern and a tackle against UAB.

As a redshirt freshman in 2022, he played primarily on special teams and appeared in 12 games. He recorded a tackle each against Oregon, South Carolina and Auburn and recovered a fumble against Samford.

In 2023, Sorey saw his most playing time at Georgia, starting two games and finished the season with 19 tackles, a sack and a pass deflection. One of his standout performances came in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama, where he had five solo tackles.

Georgia has been a premier football program under Kirby Smart, winning back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. With stacked rosters full of future NFL players, playing time was hard to come by at Georgia. This lead Sorey to enter the transfer portal after the 2023 season.

Arkansas

Sorey already had a connection with Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams. Williams recruited him in high school while serving as Auburn’s co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. That relationship helped the Razorbacks land Sorey, who was ranked the No. 10 linebacker in the 2024 transfer portal by 247Sports.

Sorey made an immediate impact in Fayetteville, starting all 13 games in 2024. He recorded double-digit tackles against Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Texas Tech. His season-high was 13 tackles in both the Oklahoma State and Ole Miss matchups. He led Arkansas with 99 total tackles, ranking seventh in the SEC, and earned All-SEC third team honors.

With significant roster turnover heading into 2025 due to graduations and transfers, Sorey will be counted on as a leader for the entire team, not just the linebacker unit. As he enters his second season at Arkansas, he’s poised for another big year against one of the toughest schedules in college football.