Interview: 11-Offer 4-Star 2022 Arkansas WR Isaiah Sategna is Tearing It Up Again
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
An offensive playmaker with track speed, that is the quick summation of what Isaiah Sategna brings to the field for the Fayetteville Bulldogs. The 5-11, 165-pound, receiver/return specialist had a breakout sophomore run producing an estimated stat line of 691 yards off 35 receptions with six scores going against Arkansas 7A teams. After earning first team All-Conference and Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors, Sategna has upped his game during the 2019 season hauling in 40 passes for 791 yards with six scores while taking back 10 kicks for 240 addition yards. The game changing skills has brought four-star recruiting status with 11 college football offers extended.
As the Bulldogs seek to make their way through the Natural State’s toughest high school football division, 7A West, Sategna updates us on his big season to date with a look at his recruiting options.
*Click link for Sept. 3, 2020, RNG interview with Isaiah Sategna
Interview
Isaiah, even with other teams knowing you are getting the ball, you are still going off this season. What’s been the differences in your talent and abilities from a year ago?
Last year all of my catches were on deep balls, I had some little routes. That has changed this year. I have zero deep balls this year but still have 700 yards. I am proud of that. My main route has been the screen. I wish I could get more deep balls for higher stats, but I am content with how I have been playing.
How are teams working to stop you?
I am bracketed a lot. One team was playing at 10-yards and inside, and with one guy who was on top at 12 yards.
With the added focus on you, how have you adapted and/or changed what you do on the field to overcome these challenges?
I was not used to getting short balls, that was a change for me. My vision has gotten better. It is still not perfect. I can juke too much instead of running to the outside and just break free. Instead of doing too many moves, I need to run as fast as I can to the outside. If I do that, there is not much of a chance anyone will get me.
Which game so far this season has been your personal best?
Against Northside (Fort Smith) I had 212 receiving yards on six catches. I also had 121 return yards for 333 all-purpose yards.
That is a fantastic game. Is there a skill and/or talent you are bringing to the field every game that is not getting the attention it deserves?
The deep ball, since I don’t have any this year. It is kind of funny, that’s all I was doing last season. They’ve been playing 10 or 12 yards off. If I was getting the deep ball this year, I know I would have 400 or 500 more yards.
What is one thing you are always working on in practice to keep pushing your talents forward?
Catching, route running, and blocking.
What is the playoff picture like for the Bulldogs this season?
We are 1-1 in conference. If we win these next two games, we will be second in conference. If we do that, we might get homefield for first game. We had the hardest schedule in Arkansas. We are a lot better than our record.
*Fayetteville beat Rogers Heritage 52-14
Let’s wrap going over recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
Washington State, I’ve been talking to them, talking to West Virginia, LSU, and Texas A&M a little bit.
How many offers have been dropped?
Eleven.
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
Oregon and Colorado.
Sategna’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Colorado, Kansas, Memphis, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, and SMU
When visits are allowed again in 2021, which schools might you go see?
Right now, pretty much every school has talked to me about visiting. Say I have a Top 12 list, I may go visit them. I will wait and see how everything plays out.
Certainly, no rush right now. Isaiah, thanks for your time today. Wishing you and the Bulldogs success making this playoff push.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Sategna family/Twitter; Isaiah Sategna touchdown