Arkansas Lands 5 on AP All-SEC Teams

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Five Razorback football players earned All-SEC honors from the Associated Press Monday. Drew Sanders, Raheim Sanders and Ricky Stromberg were named to the first team while Dalton Wagner and Beaux Limmer were selected to the second team.

Arkansas’ three AP First Team All-SEC selections are the program’s most first team honorees since 2011.

Junior LB Drew Sanders was named First Team All-SEC after emerging as one of the top defensive playmakers in college football this season. A finalist for the Butkus Award, Sanders has racked up a team-leading 103 total tackles with a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks through 12 games. The Denton, Texas, native ranks second in the SEC in sacks (9.5) and sacks per game (0.79) while tying for first in forced fumbles (3) and third in total tackles (103) in the regular season. As Arkansas’ leading tackler, Sanders anchored an Arkansas defense that led the league in sacks with 39. His 13.5 tackles for loss this season are the most by a Hog defender since DE Trey Flowers totaled 13.5 in 2014 and his 9.5 sacks are the most since DE Chris Smith tallied the same amount in 2012. His 9.5 sacks tie for seventh most in a single season in the school record book. A two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week awardee, Sanders is only the second FBS defender since 2000 with 95 or more total tackles (Buffalo LB Khalil Mack in 2013) and at least 12.0 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception in a season. Since 2000, Sanders is one of two FBS defenders to have recorded double-digit tackles with two sacks, two forced fumbles and at least one pass breakup in a game, joining former Ole Miss Rebel Greg Hardy vs. Alabama in 2007.

Sophomore RB Raheim “Rocket” Sanders earned first team recognition after an explosive sophomore campaign. As the Hogs’ leading rusher, Sanders filed 1,426 yards on the ground and 10 scores on 219 carries (6.5 average). Sanders has also contributed 28 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns this season, averaging 9.7 yards per catch. A two-time SEC Offensive Player of the Week honoree this season, Sanders is the only conference player with over 1,000 rushing yards and 200-plus receiving yards in 2022. The Rockledge, Fla., product ranks second in the SEC in rushing yards, yards per touch and yards per game (118.8). Behind the power of Sanders, Arkansas has had a 100-yard rusher in 10 of its last 13 games dating back to the 2021 season with Sanders being responsible for seven of those 10 100-yard performances. Sanders became the second Arkansas player in the past 25 seasons to have 200 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns against a ranked opponent after exploding for 232 yards and three touchdowns against No. 14 Ole Miss (Nov. 19). RB Darren McFadden did so in a 50-48 win over No. 1 LSU in 2007. Sitting with 2,004 career rushing yards, Sanders is one of just 19 rushers in program history to eclipse 2,000 career rushing yards.

Three Razorback linemen (Ricky Stromberg, Beaux Limmer and Dalton Wagner) earned All-SEC nods by the AP. Behind Stromberg, Limmer and Wagner, the Razorbacks to have registered a 100-yard rusher in 10 of its last 13 games dating back to the 2021 season. Additionally, Stromberg, Limmer and Wagner blocked for First Team All-SEC recipient Sanders, who ran for 1,426 yards and 10 scores this season.

Starting in all 12 games this season, senior center Ricky Stromberg allowed zero sacks or quarterback hits to clinch him a first team spot. The Tulsa, Okla., native navigated an Arkansas offensive line that ranked second in the SEC and ninth nationally in rushing yards per game (223.4). Redshirt-junior right guard Beaux Limmer garnered second team recognition after making 12 starts this season. In 949 snaps, Limmer allowed just one quarterback hit and did not give up a sack in eight games this season. Senior captain Dalton Wagner earned second team honors after starting in 11 games at right tackle. In 833 snaps, Wagner gave up only two sacks and allowed zero sacks in 10 of 11 games played.

The Hogs conclude their season in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn., at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 28 against Kansas. The game will broadcast on ESPN. For ticket information, call the Razorback Ticket Center at 479-575-5151 or click here.