Phil Steele crowns 6 Razorbacks preseason All-SEC, tabs 2 as All-Americans

The football preseason honors have started to drop, and Arkansas has a surprising amount named. Phil Steele dropped his All-Conference and All-American preseason selections. Six Razorbacks earned All-SEC honors while two made the All-American, including four returning players and two first-year Hogs.

Phil Steele selects six different Razorbacks between preseason All-SEC and All-American teams

Offensive guard Fernando Carmona and UAB transfer Kam Shanks (punt returner) earned first-team honors. With the Blazers, Shanks led the nation in punt return yards, average, and touchdowns. Although he also plays wide receiver, Shanks' skills as a punt returner were a significant reason Arkansas pursued him in the portal. Not only does Steele think Shanks is the best punt returner in the SEC heading into the 2025-26 season, but he believes he's the best in the nation, naming him first-team All-American.

Carmona may not be a newcomer, but he is being named All-SEC in a new position. After playing the 2024-25 season at left tackle, Carmona moved to guard. However, he's shown a skillset that Steele thinks will translate well, naming Carmona second-team All-American as well.

The reason Carmona is moving to guard happens to be another Hog selection, third-team All-SEC Corey Robinson II. Transferring from Georgia Tech, Robinson finished the season as the best pass-blocking tackle in the country, per Pro Football Focus. Carmona, Shanks, and Robinson are joined by three more Razorbacks: second-teamers defensive tackle Cam Ball and punter Devin Bale, and fourth-team selection Xavian Sorey Jr.