FAYETTEVILLE — There are eight weekends remaining until the return of Arkansas football.
The Razorbacks open the 2024 season in Little Rock against UAPB. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU) on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Arkansas is coming off a disappointing 4-8 campaign that saw offensive coordinator Dan Enos get fired midseason and the eventual transfers of KJ Jefferson and Raheim 'Rocket' Sanders, two faces of the program.
In response, the Hogs hired Bobby Petrino and hit the transfer portal, bringing in plenty of newcomers for what feels like an all-important season for head coach Sam Pittman.
Over the next month, the Southwest Times Record will run positional previews twice a week, asking two questions and providing one bold prediction. We tackled the entire offense earlier this month, including key position groups like the quarterbacks and offensive line.
Here's a look at the linebackers entering 2024.
Are there clear starters at linebacker for Arkansas football?
The linebacker room this fall is defined by the unknown, with transfers who haven't yet proven themselves in the SEC combined with underclassmen who don't have many collegiate reps.
Brad Spence and Xavian Sorey Jr. took a majority of the first-team reps this spring. Spence played in 11 games as a true freshman last season, while Sorey is a former five-star recruit who transferred to Arkansas from Georgia. The coaches were happy with both players in the offseason, but they still went out and added two players in the spring transfer portal.
Larry Worth (Jacksonville State) and Stephen Dix Jr. (Marshall) bring experience and depth to the position, and both players figure to play key roles as starters or reserves. Alex Sanford and Carson Dean are entering their second year in the program, while a trio of talented freshmen in Brad Spence, Wyatt Simmons and Justin Logan could all challenge for snaps.
It wouldn't be a surprise if any of the nine linebackers win a starter's job by season's end, but Spence and Sorey are the favorites.
Can Xavian Sorey Jr. be the next Drew Sanders?
Sanders was a five-star linebacker who started his career at Alabama before transferring to Arkansas and eventually becoming an All-American.
The Hogs will be hoping Sorey experiences a similar career arc. Becoming an All-American might be far-fetched, but Sorey is the highest-rated recruit on Arkansas' entire roster.
The Razorbacks need to maximize his talent at a key position. Chris Paul Jr. and Jaheim Thomas never meshed last fall, and the defense fell apart down the stretch without consistent play in the middle of the formation. Sorey could be a hidden gem for the 2024 Hogs.
One bold prediction: Brad Spence leads the team in tackles
Spence moves fluidly and has a knack for finding the football. He was a force in the Red-White game and has impressed coaches throughout his short career in Fayetteville.
And just as importantly, Spence wants to be a leader. He spoke early in the spring about wanting to replace last year's linebackers and be the face of the defense. He'll have that opportunity in 2024 and lead Arkansas with at least 90 tackles.
What the coaches said this spring
"Spence, Sanford, Dean and obviously Juju Pope, I think those guys see their opportunity. Dean had a fantastic practice today. But I think anytime you think you’re getting ready to play, I believe that you prepare a little bit better. You don’t prepare in your mind as I’m a freshman running down on the kickoff team. I think it’s been exciting for those kids and again, I’ll say it again, you can be a good player, you just sometimes need to get the experience."
— Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman on the four linebackers entering their second year with the program.
Projected depth chart
- Brad Spence, sophomore; Xavian Sorey Jr., redshirt junior.
- Larry Worth III, junior; Stephen Dix Jr., redshirt senior.
- Carson Dean sophomore; Alex Sanford, redshirt freshman.
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