Fayetteville star wide receiver and Arkansas pledge Isaiah Sategna took visits to a couple of far-away places and thought they might be the best choices for his future.
He is now certain that what he needs is right in his backyard.
Sategna (5-11, 175 pounds), who had 102 catches for a nation’s best 1,930 receiving yards this season along with 17 touchdown receptions and 3 rushing touchdowns, took his official visit to Arkansas this weekend and is set to sign with the Razorbacks on Wednesday.
“It was weird going on a visit that you're pretty familiar with, but I mean it was a great visit and I loved it, and this is why I picked Arkansas,” he said.
Sategna, who helped lead the Purple Bulldogs to the Class 7A state championship game before falling to Bryant 42-38, was previously committed to Texas A&M and Oregon.
He flipped to Arkansas on Nov. 3 and then watched Oregon coach Mario Cristobal leave the Ducks for Miami, his alma mater, a month later.
“It's kind of crazy because I de-committed from Oregon and then Coach Cristobal left and they had a bunch of people leave,” Sategna said of assistant coaches and recruits. “I think (the Ducks) just hired a new coach (Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning), but it's crazy how all these coaches are leaving and stuff when these kids are about to sign and go early.
“Now, they're kind of - they don't really know what to do. I'm fortunate to be in a good position and be here with the Hogs.”
It has made Satenga, who had 17 catches for 261 yards in a 34-27 quarterfinal round win over Cabot, appreciate second-year Arkansas coach Sam Pittman more.
“I know he's not going anywhere,” Sategna said. “He loves this job and he's building something special here.”
Sategna admits the fact that Arkansas went from 3-7 in 2020 to 8-4 and an Outback Bowl berth against Penn State on New Year’s Day was a factor in believing in what’s happening with the Razorbacks.
“Coach Pittman turned the program around, and he hasn't even been here that long, so it's pretty special,” Sategna said. “Like, you see these big programs, they're not doing very good, and they hire these big-time coaches and still aren't doing very good, but that's not the case with Arkansas and it's only been two years.”
Sategna will most likely have the opportunity to make an impact at Arkansas early in his college career.
“All you need is one good year in the SEC to get drafted, and I hope to put more than one good year together,” Sategna said. “I feel like if I progress the way that I need to and just keep on lifting and getting bigger and stuff then I'll have a good shot to start.”
Sategna, a track star who has chosen not to be an early enrollee so he can compete for Fayetteville this spring, is eager to learn from Arkansas receivers coach Kenny Guiton.
“Coach Guiton, he was one of my favorite coaches this whole time and I felt it was right that I needed to be with a coach that has the skillset he has,” Sategna said.
Fayetteville linebacker and fellow Arkansas pledge Mani Powell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the third game of the season, was in Sategna’s ear about joining him as a Razorback.
“I always wanted to go to Arkansas, but having Mani saying every day, 'Come on, bro, we need you. We need you, come on.' I mean, it had a little bit to do with it.”
In addition to averaging 18.7 yards per catch this season, Sategna also had four carries for 147 yards, taking three of those rushes for scores.
“It was a blessing from God and I just have a lot of people around me helping me,” Sategna said. “My quarterback (Bladen Fike), I couldn't have done it without him. I have the best O-linemen in the state, so it was a work in progress and stuff.
“Coach (Jay) Wilkinson, our offensive coordinator, he dialed up the right plays and I just had to catch the ball and run.”