FAYETTEVILLE — Five questions for our panel of four writers assessing the Razorbacks’ wide receivers and tight ends ahead of the start of fall camp this week:
• On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you that Jadon Haselwood will be the Razorbacks’ go-to receiver?
Tom Murphy: How about I go with his jersey number – 9? We saw enough of his physical traits, route-running, good hands, solid speed, ability to play through pain to see how and why he can be a top target.
Scottie Bordelon: I’m at an 8 going into fall camp. Sam Pittman and Kendal Briles have hit on some transfers in the past and I believe Haselwood is a terrific talent. Haselwood, too, is excited to play with a quarterback like KJ Jefferson. He put up solid numbers in his final year at Oklahoma even while it tried to find its guy at quarterback. Good speed and size, big catch radius, experience, perfectionist — that’s what you’re getting with Haselwood.
Matt Jones: Haselwood has the best credentials to be the go-to receiver, but I’m only halfway sold (5) he will be because we have not seen him play a game in this offense or with this quarterback. Oklahoma’s quarterbacks had good rapport with him during games and he led the Sooners in receptions last year. Time will tell if KJ Jefferson develops the same type of in-game relationship.
Andrew Joseph: Nine. This ranking may be more an indictment of the rest of the Razorback receiving corps than it is about my confidence in Haselwood. Arkansas’ leading returning receiver is redshirt senior Warren Thompson, who caught more than ten passes in a season for the first time in his career last year.
• Which players will be 1-3 in receiving yards? Who leads the team in touchdowns?
Tom Murphy: Haselwood, Ketron Jackson, Trey Knox. I'll go Ketron on the touchdowns.
Scottie Bordelon: Haselwood leads the pack in yards, then Ketron Jackson is No. 2 and Warren Thompson rounds out the top three. Trey Knox at tight end is my dark horse to crack the top three. He can be a safety valve for Jefferson at times and Knox has some elusiveness. And if Matt Landers can push for top three, Arkansas will be in good shape.
For touchdowns, I'll go with Haselwood.
Matt Jones: It’s tough because there is little track record to go on in this offense for most of the receivers, but I’ll choose Haselwood and Matt Landers based on past production elsewhere, and Ketron Jackson on potential. Haselwood’s six touchdowns as part of a stacked receiver group at Oklahoma last year make me believe he can lead Arkansas in that category. Tight end Trey Knox is a candidate to produce numbers that might put him in either conversation.
Andrew Joseph: Haselwood is definitely the favorite to lead the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. I think Raheim Sanders will see a ton of swing passes out of the backfield and finish second in yards followed by Thompson in third.
• Warren Thomson is Arkansas’ leading returning receiver and Ketron Jackson received some praise from Kendal Briles in the spring. What can be expected of them?
Tom Murphy: I think Thompson will be fourth on the receptions chart and maybe second or third in yardage – if his catch percentage can bump up. We saw some big-play drops last year in games and also in the spring. He needs to show Jefferson he can catch almost everything.
Jefferson said Jackson made the biggest strides in spring. I trust his judgement that Jackson can be a breakout star.
Scottie Bordelon: Jackson was said to be more than just looking the part this spring. That’s a big deal. He came to campus somewhat limited with a knee. That seems to be behind him now. Briles added that he caught the ball well this spring, created separation and flashed with contested grabs. Jackson may be as fast or faster than any receiver the Razorbacks fielded last season. For Thompson, I think him taking the next step involves fewer drops and more sure hands, and creating yards after the catch. I’ve got him in the top three this year in terms of yardage, so I think we’ll see some progressions.
Matt Jones: I think both have the potential to be big-play threats, but Briles has also spoken to the need for more consistency from Thompson and better blocking from both players. Jackson showed flashes last year, primarily against Missouri, of being a very good receiver in time. Arkansas needs its returning receivers like Jackson, Thompson, Bryce Stephens and Jaedon Wilson to elevate their play to compensate for the 2021 playmakers who were lost at the position.
Andrew Joseph: The two combined for 24 receptions, 401 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. I think that stat line is feasible for either player to match on their own in 2022. Thompson more likely to reach those numbers.
• Which young receiver and/or tight end can make an impact in the passing game?
Tom Murphy: I'll go with Bryce Stephens, one of the team's fastest players and a take-the-top-off threat at wideout, and Ty Washington at tight end.
Scottie Bordelon: Isaiah Sategna. I think from Day 1 he can be a weapon Arkansas uses to take the top of off defenses. Sam Pittman in June said Sategna doesn’t say much. He just works. That, coupled with his speed, sounds like a good combination to contribute early with this staff.
Matt Jones: I’m a believer in Isaiah Sategna, who I watched play every game for three seasons at Fayetteville High School. His speed is elite and he became a much better all-around receiver as a senior — the hands were more sure, there were fewer fumbles and the route running looked better. He has some catching up to do with other receivers because he missed spring practice while he competed for his high school track team, but that speed can’t be taught. I have to believe there will be some ways to showcase his speed this year.
Andrew Joseph: The Razorbacks have a ton of talented young receivers. Isaiah Sategna is one of the crown jewels of the incoming recruiting class, but any of the three 4-star freshman receivers could wind up being difference-makers. Sophomore Bryce Stephens caught just three passes for five yards last year but has caught Pittman’s eye with his game-breaking speed in practices.
• Trey Knox appears to be the headliner at tight end. Can he carry the group? Will another weapon emerge?
Tom Murphy: Hudson Henry has percolated a few years so now would be a good time for him to emerge behind Knox to make it a true 1-2 threat at the spot. I think Ty Washington will be a serviceable option behind those two.
Scottie Bordelon: With the way he has embraced adding weight and strength since last season, he’s certainly a player I expect to lead the tight ends. His concussion during spring break was a bit of a setback, but when he returned to the sideline he got plenty of mental reps and stayed as locked in as he could. Barring another setback, he’s the guy in that room. I keep waiting on Hudson Henry to emerge. Maybe Ty Washington is a guy who can provide good reps. He impressed me in the spring and has good size.
Matt Jones: Knox’s past as a receiver will add a different pass-catching element than we’ve seen at the position in a while, but his value will be in how well he has learned to block bigger players. One of the reasons the coaches liked the move to tight end was because of his blocking ability as a receiver, but he learned quickly that blocking a cornerback is much different than taking on an SEC defensive end or linebacker. Knox has added weight and muscle after he said he was too small to move anyone at the line of scrimmage a year ago. Knox is likeable, has a lot of charisma and is one of the oldest players at his position, so he will lead. If he can pick up the blocking element, he might have a bright future as a tight end.
Andrew Joseph: After not making a single catch in Arkansas’ first five games, Knox showed that he can be Arkansas’ starting tight end with strong play down the stretch in 2021. He had multiple receptions in each of the final five games of the season and proved to be a willing blocker. He seems to be carrying the extra weight well and figures to be in line for a breakout season at his new position.