Hogs Receive Highest Preseason Ranking Yet from Website

Van Horn, Razorbacks land high praise before season starts getting into some lofty expectations

Arkansas Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn walks off the field during the third inning against the Oregon State Beavers in game three of the championship series of the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. / Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The preseason accolades continue to roll in for Arkansas. The Athletic ranked the Razorbacks No. 2 behind Texas A&M in its preseason Top 25, giving Arkansas it's highest ranking yet among all the major pollsters. who have released their first poll of the season.

The Razorbacks are ranked in the Top 15 of all four polls. Here's where the Hogs stand:

NYT/The Athletic: No. 2
Baseball America: No. 4
D1Baseball: No. 5
Perfect Game: No. 13

Texas A&M is the consensus No.1 in all four polls after returning three key pieces from their run to the 2024 College World Series Finals. First-team All-SEC outfielder and potential Top 2 pick Jace LaViolette along with SEC Freshman of the Year Gavin Grahovac both return. Ace and second-team All-SEC pitcher Ryan Prager is back for his redshirt junior season after being drafted by in the third round by the Los Angeles Angels.

Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette (17) reacts after scoring a run during the fourth inning against the Oregon at Olsen Field, Blue Bell Park / Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

The SEC is well represented in all the polls with as many as nine teams showing up, depending on the pollster.

Arkansas' SEC schedule is a gauntlet. Four of the five conference series that the Razorbacks play on the road are against consensus Top 15 teams (Vanderbilt, Georgia, Florida and LSU). The Hogs also have an early season matchup against TCU at the College Baseball Series in Arlington, Texas. The Horned Frogs are ranked as high as No. 18

Arkansas will continue its preparations for the upcoming season with three more scrimmages starting Friday. An official start time has not been announced. All scrimmages are free and open to the public to attend at Baum-Walker Stadium. The season begins 3 p.m. Feb.14 against Washington State.

HOGS FEED:

• Calipari sees Kentucky get signature win Hogs are craving

• Pittman's calling card as Hogs coach makes him portal king

• Kentucky, Arkansas switch roles after 33 years

• Arkansas reports record revenue to NCAA for 2024 fiscal year

• Get to know Razorbacks newest commit Ari Slocum

• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow HogsSI on X and Facebook