Surprise! Razorbacks Land Former Five Star Linebacker

Arkansas pulls former five star from Georgia for second consecutive offseason.

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Dec 19, 2023 9:16 PM EST
Original:
Dec 19, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman continues to pluck exceptional back-ups from from Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs program. Former 5-star inside linebacker Xavian Sorey committed to the Razorbacks with two years of eligibility remaining. The Campbellton, Fla., native signed with the Bulldogs in the 2021 class as the sixth best prospect in the No. 3 class in the country.

This is the second season in a row a 5-star back-up from Georgia has transferred to Fayetteville. Last January, Jaheim Singletary, a 5-star cornerback from the 2022 recruiting class, opted to become a Razorback.

Storey was the No. 26 prospect in 2021 according to 247sports. That year, he received an offer from Auburn. His lead recruiter in that effort was Travis Williams, the Razorbacks' current defensive coordinator. He was the Tigers’ co-defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at the time.

From a production standpoint, the Georgia transfer was his best in 2023 recording 19 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He appeared in seven games, which included field experience against Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Auburn and South Carolina. His most productive game was against the Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game where Sorey racked up a season high five solo tackles.

Arkansas has been avidly searching for immediate help at linebacker whether it be through the portal or junior college ranks. With 62% of its positional production leaving the program, Williams needs to add playmakers alongside leading tackler Jaheim Thomas. The Razorbacks have only offered one other linebacker, Middle Tennessee State's Sam Brumfield. The junior college product led the Blue Raiders in tackles this season with 81.

The Razorbacks have seen quite a bit of success at the linebacker position since Pittman was hired in 2019. Grant Morgan, Bumper Pool, Hayden Henry, Drew Sanders, Chris ‘Pooh’ and Thomas have all been among the top tacklers in the SEC over the past four seasons.

Sorey joins offensive lineman Addison Nichols and Keyshawn Blackstock, quarterback Taylen Green, tight end Andreas Paaske and defensive back Doneiko Slaughter as commitments for the 2024 transfer portal class

2024 Linebackers Scholarship

Jaheim Thomas, Senior
Xavian Sorey, Senior
Brad Spence, Sophomore
Alex Sanford, Sophomore
Carson Dean, Redshirt Freshman
Kaden Henley, Redshirt Freshman
Justin Logan, Freshman
Wyatt Simmons, Freshman