Is it finally time for Isaiah Sategna to shine?

There have been flashes, moments and the potential is undeniable, but is it finally time for Isaiah Sategna to shine at wide receiver for Arkansas?

The redshirt sophomore has been a weapon for the Razorbacks on special teams, earning Freshman All-SEC honors as a return man in 2023, but has yet to fully grasp a role with the offense.

Sategna caught 15 passes last season for 129 yards and two touchdowns, but his targets and production at wideout did not match the type of electric playmaking on display in the return game.

Fast forward to the present, and Sategna has a fresh start with a new offensive coordinator in Bobby Petrino and receivers coach in Ronnie Fouch, who have injected confidence in the speedster’s ability to be a key cog in 2024.

“I’ve heard from people that have been here before,” Fouch said. “Isaiah, we wanted a fresh start. ‘Isaiah, you’re going to be the man. Attack this summer.’ He attacked it every day. Put on weight. Added strength in the weight room.

“He has a great day every day. There’s never a day where I have to get on him about effort or jumping in there. He takes probably the most reps out of anybody and runs the most mileage out there. He runs a lot out there.

“He has really embraced the role of ‘I’m going to get the ball, and I’m going to go attack people.’ That’s what I love about him. His mindset right now is he’s a warrior and he’s touch. I don’t have to worry about Isaiah. He’s going to come to practice every day.”

Sategna — a man of few words — heard the chatter about Petrino’s offenses and has quickly learned that it is tailor-made to maximize his strengths.

“I heard about all the hype from him, and I’m really just reaping the benefits,” Sategna said. “I feel like his offense really fits my play style.”

Throughout the spring and summer, Sategna put an emphasis on getting the timing down and developing chemistry with transfer quarterback Taylen Green as well as getting his body ready for the grind of an SEC season.

“It’s always hard at first whenever I have a new quarterback just for him to get my speed right and stuff,” Sategna said. “Taylen has a really big arm, so it wasn’t a problem for him.

“Over the offseason I tried to get bigger, stronger and faster and just develop the little things.”

With Arkansas just over three weeks away from kicking off the season against UAPB at War Memorial Stadium, Sategna is on track to get his time to shine.

“I’ve really just been waiting on this opportunity,” Sategna said. “Just trying to work on all the little things, and everything will work itself out.”