Interview: 4-Star 2022 Arkansas WR Isaiah Sategna Updates Season and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
College programs looking for that speedy outside receiver that can stretch the defense vertically or an inside receiver that can cross up a safety or linebacker in a heartbeat are loving what they are seeing in Isaiah Sategna. Sategna took 7A Arkansas teams to the woodshed during the 2019 season hauling in an estimated 35 passes for 691 yards with six scores earning Conference 7A West Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors. Other honors have continued to roll in for the 5-11, 165-pound, two-sport star. Recruiting services have given Sategna four-star status and nine offers have been extended, including one in track by the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Sategna and his Fayetteville High School squad opened the 2020 season on Friday, Aug. 28, with a tough road game against Conway (38-21) and turn around for another challenging game taking on Owasso. For an update on his workouts leading to his junior season and recruiting, Sategna sat down for another RNG confab.
*Click link for the March 21 RNG interview with Isaiah Sategna
Interview
Isaiah, with you I like to talk about your speed. Two questions, 1) how have you worked to improve your speed this offseason and 2) how many cheetahs have you outrun for fun this summer?
(Laughs) I have been working a lot on individual speed training and going full speed in my routes. During the indoor track season that is when I got a lot faster.
Did you get to drop a new 40-yard dash this summer?
No. During my sophomore year indoor track season, I ran a 6.86 time in the 60-meter. I never ran the 40 and received the results. This summer I went to a camp in Oklahoma and ran it for the first time but they never sent me the results.
The focus for you over the spring months was your route running, hands, and releases. After all the hard work put in, how are you noticing a difference in what you can do on the field?
In practice, it is a lot easier to get open. Not just on the deep routes but also on the shallow routes too. I am not where I want it to be, but I am a lot better that I was. My hands are a lot better too.
This season what routes will you be running in the offense?
We run a lot of comebacks, fades, posts, digs, shallow crosses, and slants.
Where all will we see you on the field in 2020?
Outside receiver, I am learning the inside position too, and kick returner.
The Bulldogs kicked off the 2020 season on Aug. 28 going against Conway. For you personally, how did the game go?
It didn’t go the way I expected or wanted. I had four catches for 45 yards. It was frustrating that I did not play as well as I wanted, but it made me work a lot harder this week in practice.
How did the Wampus Cats’ defense line up against you?
Most of the time they had a corner at 12 yards. Even if I was not running full-speed they were flying out backpedaling. They pressed me a little bit and bracketed me. They would also press then trail me for the comeback.
With that game under your belt, what are the areas you will focus on in practice going forward?
We started late. We did not get to do that much endurance training and we were in pads really late. I feel like we’ve been playing catch up on learning the offense since we started late. I am trying to go full-speed in practice like it is a game setting to get my wind and endurance up. Usually I work on my releases a lot. Owasso does not press as much.
Sticking with that. Another big game is coming up on Friday with a showdown against Oklahoma’s No. 5 ranked team Owasso (MaxPreps). What kind of game are you expecting from the Rams (1-0)?
I have been watching their defense on film. They are really well coached. I cannot take any plays off and I have to go 100 percent on every play. All I can say is they are well coaches and they have very good athletes too.
Let’s get into recruiting. Which schools are now showing interest?
Since yesterday was the first day that they could talk to me, I received messages from Colorado, Missouri, LSU, Oklahoma State, Southern Miss, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Florida State.
How many offers do you have now?
I have nine total and one in track from Arkansas.
Which programs was the last to offer in football?
Penn State.
Sategna’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Colorado, Kansas, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Penn State, and SMU
*Colorado offered after the posting of this interview
This summer did you get to take any virtual visits?
No, but I Facetimed with coaches showing me around the facilities. Arkansas, I took an unofficial visit there, that is when I got offered. I saw their facilities in person. Kansas showed me their stadium and I did one with Baylor.
Once the campuses open back up for visits, where might you go? Have you started making a potential list?
Yes, I didn’t want to commit until I have visited the schools I wanted to see. Coaches have asked, “when you will commit?” I want to visit and then commit. Arkansas wants me to visit and so does Kansas, Baylor, SMU, Memphis, Auburn, and LSU.
That makes perfect sense. Last question. What goals have you set for the 2020 season?
My goal is to have 1,700 receiving yards.
Isaiah, it was another great interview with you today. Thanks for your time and good luck this week against Owasso.
Thank you.
Photo credit: NWA/Democrat-Gazette/Sategna family; Isaiah Sategna