Six Hogs Earn Phil Steele Preseason All-SEC Honors

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Highlighted by Fernando Carmona and Kam Shanks’ first-team selections, six Razorbacks earned preseason All-SEC honors from Phil Steele.

Carmona and Shanks earned All-SEC praise at the offensive guard and punt returner positions, respectively. The duo also garnered preseason All-America honors as Shanks was selected to the first team and Carmona checked in on the second team. In addition to Carmona and Shanks, Cam Ball was named second-team All-SEC as a defensive tackle, while offensive tackle Corey Robinson II and punter Devin Bale collected third-team recognition, and linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. was named Fourth-Team All-SEC.

Carmona was an integral part of the Razorbacks’ offensive line in 2024, starting all 13 games while helping Arkansas average 459.5 yards of total offense per game, which ranked 10th nationally. The Las Vegas, Nev., product also pass-protected for an aerial attack that ranked 18th nationally with an average of 274.7 yards per game. Behind Carmona, Arkansas registered two of its top 10 single-game total yardage outputs in program history in 2024. He helped pave the way for 673 yards of total offense (314 passing, 359 rushing) while not allowing a single sack during the Razorbacks’ dominant 58-25 win over Mississippi State (Oct. 26) and 687 yards of total offense during a 70-0 season-opening win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Aug. 29).

Shanks arrives in Fayetteville after spending his first two seasons at UAB. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, the Prattville, Ala., native was the most electrifying punt returner in the nation. Shanks led all FBS players in punt return yards (329), punt return average (20.6), and punt return touchdowns (2) while being named a finalist for the Jet Award, which honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football. In addition to serving as a return man, Shanks turned in two 100-yard receiving games, including a nine-catch, 119-yard receiving performance at Army (Oct. 12) and a career-high 153 receiving yards and three touchdowns against Tulsa (Nov. 2).

Ball started all 13 games as a redshirt junior in 2024 while registering a career-high 47 tackles, including four for loss and 1.5 sacks. The Atlanta product also tallied two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. He registered five tackles and a quarterback hurry during the Hogs’ Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech (Dec. 27) and a career-high seven tackles, including one for loss in the regular-season finale at Missouri (Nov. 30). Ball also played a significant role in the Razorbacks’ 58-25 win at Mississippi State (Oct. 26) with a fumble recovery, three total tackles and an assisted sack.

Robinson arrives in Arkansas for his redshirt senior season after transferring from Georgia Tech. In 2024, the 6-5 305-pound offensive lineman saw action in 12 games while starting the final seven games of the season. Robinson helped pave the way for Georgia Tech to rush for 186.8 yards per game, which ranked third among all ACC teams. He was part of an offensive unit that posted three 500-yard performances, including a 563-yard effort against No. 2 Georgia (Nov. 29). Robinson’s 91.2 pass-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus, led all Power 4 offensive linemen and ranks fourth in the FBS.

Bale made an immediate impact during his first season as a Razorback in 2024. He punted 41 times for 1,855 yards while registering a 45.2-yard punting average with 11 punts downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and 11 punts of 50+ yards. His 45.2-yard punting average would have ranked in the top 15 nationally if he had enough punts to qualify. Bale had punts downed at the 2-yard line and 1-yard line, respectively, against LSU (Oct. 19) and Oklahoma State (Sept. 7) during the 2024 season while registering a season-long 66-yard punt during a 19-14 win over No. 4 Tennessee (Oct. 5).

Sorey was among the league’s best linebackers in 2024. During his first season as a Hog, he started all 13 games and led the team with 99 total tackles (40 solos, 59 assists) while tying for the team lead in tackles for loss with 9.5 in addition to registering two sacks, an interception, a pass breakup and three quarterback hurries. He ranked sixth in the SEC in tackles per game with 7.6 and led Arkansas in tackles during five of the Razorbacks’ 13 games.

Arkansas kicks off the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 30, when they welcome Alabama A&M to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for a 3:15 p.m. matchup on SEC Network.

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