What’s the Pecking Order in Razorback Receiver Room?

The Arkansas Razorbacks return every single reception made by a wide receiver from last year’s team, but the hierarchy at the position is not as clear as one would think given the circumstances.

With leading target Andrew Armstrong back for his senior season, he’ll be the clear No. 1 option when healthy. The Dallas (Texas) native has shown marked improvement in each season he’s been in college, dating back to his first season at Texas A&M-Commerce, and he’s picked up right where he left off in offseason practices.

After that, things get a little murky regarding how the pecking order will shape up after an offseason full of development for young players, as well as some interesting additions making their mark.

Returning Production

Andrew Armstrong: 56 receptions, 764 yards (13.6 avg), 5 TD
Isaac TeSlaa: 34 receptions, 351 yards (10.1 avg), 2 TD
Jaedon Wilson: 15 receptions, 199 yards (13.3 avg), 2 TD
Tyrone Broden: 15 receptions, 109 yards, (7.3 avg), 3 TD
Isaiah Sategna: 15 receptions, 129 yards (8.6 avg), 2 TD
Davion Dozier: 1 reception, 14 yards (14 avg), 1 TD

Last offseason, Armstrong and TeSlaa were viewed as a dynamic duo after arriving in spring together. But throughout the season, while Armstrong to the team’s top option, TeSlaa’s playing time fluctuated. Part of that had to do with an increase in the usage of Broden, who had transferred from Bowling Green in the summer.

Neither guy produced enough to have a firm claim to a spot as the Hogs brought in offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, but Broden quickly emerged as a legitimate weapon in the spring while TeSlaa worked with the second-team offense.

Jaedon Wilson spent more time on the field than Isaiah Sategna in the slot last season, but if offseason practices are any indication, that is not a trend fans should expect to continue. Sategna has been a mainstay with the first-team offense and could wind up being one of the most valuable playmakers in the offense if things come together for the redshirt sophomore from Fayetteville.

“I really like Sategna,” Petrino said. “He’s having a great fall. He’s super fast. He runs super well with the ball after the catch. He can adjust and jump and catch the ball when it’s not a perfect throw. That makes him hard to cover.”

While Broden and Sategna have seemingly jumped up the ladder in the offseason, Petrino believes the Hogs can still find ways to use the talents of TeSlaa, particularly with a move inside to the slot.

“I’m still learning TeSlaa a little bit,” Petrino said. “Inside, outside, what are his best things? What does he do well? How do we get him on the matchups? He’s been impressive to me, also.”

Notable Additions Making Waves in Camp

One of the more intriguing fall camp storylines has been the emergence of Monte Harrison, the former MLB center fielder who now joins the Hogs as a 29-year-old freshman wide receiver. Though he arrived in the summer and hasn’t played football in over a decade, Harrison wasted no time asserting himself and has even garnered some work with the first-team offense.

“Monte, our 30-something wide receiver,” Petrino said. “He’s a lot of fun. He’s a big, strong guy. I think he’s great around our players because he’s been there, he’s played in the Major Leagues. But then he comes out and practices hard, catches the ball, runs good routes. He’s definitely going to help us and play a lot.”

Freshman CJ Brown has provided several flashes this offseason after arriving in the spring. The Bentonville native has steadily worked his way up the depth chart and also seen some action running with the first-team offense. The key for Brown, like most freshmen, will be consistency and adapting to the speed and intensity of Division 1 football, but he appears to be on the right track.

While redshirt freshman Davion Dozier isn’t technically an addition, the 6-4 receiver from Moody (Ala.) has put together a nice start to fall camp, highlighted by a two-touchdown day at the Hogs’ first scrimmage, after returning from an injury suffered in the spring game.

“Dozier has done a really nice job,” Petrino said. “He broke his arm in the spring. He had to have a cast and missed a lot of time in June. It’s been great to have him back out. It’s a big body with great hands that understands the game of football and can make plays for us.”

Cream Rising to Top?

Realistically, the Hogs are not going to routinely play more than about six or seven receivers in a given game on offense. And most weeks will probably see a rotation even shorter than that.

The starting group seems pretty firm with Andrew Armstrong, Tyrone Broden and Isaiah Sategna leading the way. Isaac TeSlaa and Jaedon Wilson would seem like the next men up, but both guys appear to be at their best in the slot. CJ Brown has also done most of his work in the slot, so you get the feeling there will be an odd man out from that next trio somewhere.

Harrison has emerged as a legitimate X-factor for the group, and he might end up being the top outside receiver not in the starting group. Dozier has clearly bounced back well from a less-than-ideal spring, so is the former four-star recruit ready to lock down a consistent role on the outside?

None of this includes transfers Jordan Anthony (Texas A&M) and Khafre Brown (USF), both of which seemed like potential contributors out of the portal. The Razorback coaching staff appears to have its hands full when settling on a definitive group to roll out on Saturdays, but it’s not the worst problem to have this time of year.