Interview: Standout 2022 Arkansas WR Isaiah Sategna has Record-Breaking Track Speed
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Watching reel on Class of 2022 receiver Isaiah Sategna (5-11, 165), it does not surprise to find out that as a sophomore he broke two Arkansas state records in track. The rising Fayetteville High School standout toasted 7A competition repeatedly hauling in an estimated stat line of 35 passes for 691 yards with six scores posted on the big board. Sategna’s work on the field earned him Offensive Newcomer of the Year and first team All-Conference honors in the Natural State’s toughest conference. Word on Sategna’s abilities are slowly reaching out to the college ranks. In-state SEC program Arkansas has offered with interest coming in from Kansas and Tulsa. But when teams start to put together Sategna’s speed with upside, the offers are sure to start rolling his way.
In an RNG exclusive interview, Sategna sat down for a one-on-one covering his breakout season with an update on his early recruiting process.
Interview
Isaiah, I want to start off with a very serious question today… how many defensive backs did you send to the burn unit last season?
(Laughs) “I don’t even know.”
Your speed and burst is fantastic. What is your top timed run?
“I’ve never run the 40, but as a freshman I ran a 10.8 in the 100. I know I can go faster this year. I am aiming for 10.4 or 10.5, even though the season will probably get cancelled.”
Even with corners or safeties playing off you, defensive backs could not keep up. What were some of the coverages you were seeing last season?
“A lot of the time, corners were 10 yards off, but sometimes they would press. Last year was my first time at outside receiver. When someone pressed me, I was still getting off the ball. If they were back, I’d try to do comebacks and then go deep.”
Sticking with that, which routes were you running in the Bulldogs’ offense?
“Most of my touchdowns were on posts, I did not run that many fades. I ran a lot of slants, comebacks, and curls too. Those are our main routes.”
How did your overall game improve last season as a receiver?
“Being my first time playing outside receiver, I was still learning the position. My game got so much better as the season went on, especially running my routes.”
What are you working on with your game this offseason?
“This offseason I am working more on my get off, route running, and catching.”
Are you taking on any new roles during your junior season?
“I don’t know yet. I assume that I will be doing more next season. I k now I will be at kick returner; I did that a little bit last season.”
Are there any camps coming up you may compete at once everything opens back up?
“I was looking at going to The Opening. I am thinking about doing some of the college camps, Arkansas and maybe Oklahoma.”
Rolling with that. Which schools are showing interest?
“Kansas is showing interest and I have an offer from Arkansas.”
Are there any visits coming up you may take separate from the camps?
“Tulsa invited me to a Junior Day, but I couldn’t go.”
Circling back to your speed and track. Beyond football and track, do you play any other varsity sports?
“Before I played baseball, but it is at the same time as track.”
Which events in track are you running?
“The 100, and my main events are the hurdles and long jump. I do all running events, long and high jump as well.”
With that blazing speed, are you ranked as a track athlete?
“Yes. I am ranked No. 5 in my class. At a state meet two weeks ago, I broke two state records. As A freshman, I had the seventh best jump in the nation, I jumped 24.1 ½.”
Wow. What were the two state records you broke?
“The 60 and 60 hurdles.”
Do you remember your times in the record breaking runs?
“In the hurdles I ran a 7.88 and in the open 60 I ran 6.86.”
That’s fantastic. Isaiah, it was great getting time in with you today. Keep up all the hard work.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Isaiah Sategna at Arkansas