Arkansas linebacker Xavian Sorey named to Butkus Award watch list
Another Razorback has earned preseason honors, this time it is on the defensive side of the ball as senior linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. was named to the Butkus Award watch list on Wednesday.
Named after both College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, the prestigious award is given annually to the country’s top linebacker.
Sorey is in his second year with the Razorbacks after he transferred from Georgia ahead of last season. He started all 13 games in 2024 and led the team with 99 total tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss.
The Campbellton (Fla.) native was also named the Defensive Most Outstanding Award Player from last year’s Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech. In that game, which Arkansas won 39-26, he had 10 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.
Heading into his final season with the Razorbacks, Sorey said at SEC Media Days earlier this month that he is taking on a bigger leadership role for an Arkansas defense that has a lot of new faces.
“I lead by example, but since the spring I’ve been better about being vocal,” Sorey said. “More comfortable, I would say. When you know your teammates well, you can, not get on them, but you can talk to them and do things like that.”
Sorey is the third Razorback to be named to a preseason award watch list thus far, joining quarterback Taylen Green (Maxwell Award) and offensive lineman Fernando Carmona (Outland Trophy).
Butkus Award semifinalists will be named November 4, finalists November 25, and the winner revealed by December 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2025 winner will be honored at a ceremony at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in early 2026, featured on a Big Ten Network special.
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