Sorey Named to 2025 Bednarik Award Watch List

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas redshirt senior linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. has been named to the watch list for the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.

The Bednarik Award has been given to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. It is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, an NFL Hall of Fame linebacker and center who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Known as one of the last “60-minute men” for playing both offense and defense, Bednarik exemplified toughness, excellence, and leadership on the field—values that the award bearing his name seeks to recognize in today’s top defensive players.

Sorey Jr. 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.

The award marks the second preseason watch list the Campbellton, Fla., native has been included on as he was previously selected to the Butkus Award Watch List on July 30.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 11, 2025, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled on Nov. 25, 2025. The winner of the 31st Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 11, 2025. The formal presentations of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Head Coach Sam Pittman and the Hogs opened preseason practice on Aug. 1 with the first of 25 practices leading into the season opener. The Razorbacks kick off the 2025 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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