Sorey's career performance ignites Hogs defense

On3 image — Photo Credit: Nick Wenger Designs

Senior linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. needed to bounce back after a tough showing in Arkansas‘ season-opening win over Alabama A&M and he did so with authority on Saturday in the capital city before a sellout crowd.

The Cambellton, Florida, native posted a team-low grade of 35.9, per Pro Football Focus, against the Bulldogs. He responded with a career-high 15 total tackles, including two for loss, plus nabbed an interception in the Razorbacks’ convincing 56-14 victory over Arkansas State at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

“I was playing the out, basically the out break bomb, and it felt kind of like a fake,” Sorey said of getting his second interception as a Razorback against the Red Wolves. “And it wasn’t fake. It was a good play, good play by my D-line, forcing the quarterback to get the ball out quick.”

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman knew Sorey, who battled a hamstring injury during fall camp, would rebound.

“We needed that going into SEC play, but I knew Sorey was going to have a good game just because he was so low and down about the game that he played last week,” Pittman said. “But we got production out of the front seven, and that was good to see.”

Sorey limped off of the field early in the fourth quarter, but Pittman appeared positive that it is nothing worry about.

“I think he’s just fine, just a bruise,” Pittman said.

Sorey and the Razorback defense stand tall again

For the second straight game, Arkansas held the opposition to under 300 total yards that included just 132 through the air. Sorey’s 15 tackles were a game-high and two other Hogs – defensive back Julian Neal and linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. – also logged double-digit stops. Neal had Arkansas’ other interception alongside Sorey’s and North Little Rock alumnus Quincy Rhodes Jr. sacked Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor twice.

Kani Walker was another secondary player who had a standout performance, collecting five tackles, including one for loss, and broke up three passes.

Rhodes already has three sacks on the young season after coming into 2025 with only one in his career. Pittman said being in front of his central Arkansas native crowd likely gave Rhodes extra juice. He and Sorey were two who were a force for a front seven that was challenged by the coaching staff in practice this week.

“I think that him coming back and playing in this stadium, I just think he’s getting better,” Pittman said. “Playing here and playing in front of the fans here meant something to him, and me, and a lot of people.”

In all, the Razorback defense tackled the Red Wolves for lost yardage 10 times with four sacks.

On the opposite end of Rhodes, Phillip Lee is also coming on. The staff brought him in because of his pass rushing abilities and challenged him in fall camp to be more of a complete player who can also effectively stop the run. Lee had five tackles, including 1.5 sacks.

“You look at those two guys, and you’ve got 3.5 sacks between the two of them,” Pittman said. “Regardless of who you’re playing, you’ve got to get back to the quarterback. And a lot of times you have to blitz to get there, and we didn’t today. Well, we blitzed, but we didn’t have to get that necessarily on those sacks.

“So, they’ll both…I think Quincy is going to be really, really, really special. Really special. And Phillip was that guy that we needed to run the edge and make some sacks, so he’s done that so far.”

Now 2-0 for the fourth time in the Sam Pittman era, Arkansas will begin SEC play against Ole Miss on the road next week. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be aired on either ESPN.