Our spring position preview for the Arkansas football team continues today with a look at the Razorbacks' wide receivers.
Literally everyone who got the Hogs last year is back. That would be a good thing, even if Arkansas' passing game struggled. Consistency goes a long way in making your unit better.
It's not like they were terrible as a group last year. When quarterback KJ Jefferson had time to throw, they generally made plays. Of course, part of the reason Jefferson had so many sacks was because his receivers weren't able to get open often enough.
But with Andrew Armstrong and Isaac Tesla having FBS football experience, and Isaiah Sategna and Tyron Broden also a year into their careers at Arkansas, there's no reason to think of the wide receiving corps as a weakness.
New offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has no qualms about adding excitement to the football, so expect to see an increase in wideouts no matter who takes the quarterback spot at Arkansas.
Let's take a look at how they stack up at wide receiver heading into the spring.
1. Andrew Armstrong
Armstrong was the unquestioned No. 1 receiver heading into spring play, and it's hard to imagine him losing his top spot. He led the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, nearly doubling the No. 2 player in each category and easily doubling the yards of the next player.
He will almost certainly need to improve his numbers for Arkansas to make the leap, but that's not a huge blow to him. That's exactly what the 2023 Arkansas offense will be like.
2. Isaac Tesla
TeSlaa and Armstrong were supposed to be No. 1a and 1b last year, but TeSlaa lacked consistency. His hands were ready, but he lacked elite separation skills and wasn't as open as the Razorbacks needed him to be.
Still, he finished with 351 yards, 34 grabs and two scores. This isn't bad, but it was more like a quality SEC No. 3 than a No. 2.
3. Tyrone Broden
Coach Sam Pittman raved about Tyron Broden for much of the season, especially about his ability as a team player on special teams and blocking. But Broden is a wide receiver. Therein lies his greatest value.
Three of his 15 receptions last year were for touchdowns, a testament to his ability in the red zone, but that glove only went for 109 yards. A guy of his stature should be closer to 30 catches instead of 10 yards, 400 yards instead of 100 yards.
4. Isaiah Sategna
Can Sategna really break out in 2024? If that happens, he might end the year as number two on this list. The Fayetteville graduate showed flashes last year, but consistency was an issue, which wasn't unexpected considering he was still a freshman.
Sategna has 15 catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns, and doubling that number would be a big bonus for the Razorbacks. He's still deadly as a returner.
5. Jadon Wilson
Wilson had seven catches in Arkansas' first three games last year and appeared to be entrenched in the slot. But in the next six games, he only had three catches total, which was a struggle at Arkansas.
The overlap in numbers seems appropriate, as the Razorbacks are expected to play top five, perhaps six, wideouts regularly in 2024 as well.
6. Davion Dozier
From an athletic standpoint, Dozier has the most potential of all the wide receivers in the state of Arkansas. He maintained his freshman eligibility by appearing in just three games last year, which bodes well for the future.
There's no reason he won't improve on his one-catch season, and he could end up being selected as a breakout player come fall.
8. Bryce Stevens
Stevens didn't catch a single pass last year, but he entered the transfer portal after starring for Arkansas against Missouri State the season before. Pittman & Co. convinced him not to transfer, and the team hopes he returns to his 2022 form (9 catches, 109 yards, TD).
7. Jordan Anthony
Anthony appears to have been hand-picked from the portal by new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Petrino, a transfer from Texas A&M, played for the Aggies last year and had already flashed his speed on the Arkansas track and field team. He won three grabs last year at A&M.
9. CJ Brown
Arkansas didn't recruit many wide receivers in the class of 2024, and Brown, a Bentonville graduate, ended up taking the lead at the position. It's probably best to redshirt him for a year, but his potential as a rotational SEC wideout is definitely there.
10. Dazmin James
James has yet to see an opportunity to play wide at Arkansas, but he's our pick of the rest of the wide receivers who are looking to finish in the top 10.
the best of the rest
These players most often participate in scout team duties.
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Redshirt freshman Kaylon Morris
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Redshirt senior Chris Harris
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redshirt junior marlon crockett
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Redshirt sophomore Jace Petty
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Redshirt junior Khalil Giroux
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Redshirt junior Chris Rose
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Redshirt sophomore Kamron Bibby
The story originally appeared on Razorbacks Wire
