Coming into the 2022 season, many Arkansas fans are expecting experienced players to be the primary producers for the team. Players amongst this group include QB KJ Jefferson, LB Bumper Pool, and S Jalen Catalon. But there’s a true freshman that could assist Arkansas greatly on the offensive side of the ball. This freshman is WR Isaiah Sategna.
Isaiah Sategna profile
Sategna, who is from Fayetteville, Arkansas, comes into the Razorback program with high expectations. He was a top 150 recruit by many services, including 247 sports. Sategna possesses many valuable skills football coaches are looking for. First, Sategna has outstanding speed. In fact, he’s one of the best track athletes in the nation, which will serve him well against SEC DBs. He’s also able to get into his top-end speed quickly from his release at the line of scrimmage. But, Sategna is not just a one-trick pony in terms of skills. In high school, he’s shown the ability to track balls and make contested catches.
According to 247’s Gabe Brooks, Sategna has shown big play ability over the top and in the screen game. Brooks also noted that Sategna can be aligned in a variety of places, whether it’s the slot or on the outside.
Sategna is similar to QB Malik Hornsby in that both possesses speed that the coaches want to use on the field at all times.
How much will Sategna play?
Head coach Sam Pittman has spoke glowingly about Sategna within the past few months. “..He’s done a really good job [in summer camp], and we’re going to give him every opportunity to get on the field this year,” Pittman told the press in June.
But Sategna will have to fight for playing time behind other receivers. These receivers include sophomore Ketron Jackson, sophomore Bryce Stephens, and senior Warren Thompson. Not to mention the other freshman receivers in Sam Mbake and Quincy McAdoo.
But, Kendal Briles offense needs vertical threat receivers, as they take men out of the box. Sategna’s elite speed means that defenses will have to assign extra defenders his way, which opens up the box for Arkansas’ elite run game.
Expect Sategna to take some snaps this season. His mere presence will strike fear into defensive coordinators’ hearts.
To read more about Arkansas this upcoming season, click here and here.