We continue our HawgBeat position preview series ahead of the start of fall camp with the wide receivers.
Arkansas added three scholarship transfer receivers and two freshmen at the position. Third year quarterback KJ Jefferson will have plenty of options, but it's still unknown who his top target will be.
With new offensive coordinator Dan Enos calling the plays, fans might see the wide receivers used a little bit differently than they have been the past three seasons under Kendal Briles.
Here is a full preview of the wide receiver position for Arkansas ahead of fall camp, including a breakdown of each guy and storylines to watch...
Arkansas Wide Receivers
Returning players: Jaedon Wilson (redshirt sophomore), Bryce Stephens (redshirt sophomore), Sam Mbake (sophomore), Isaiah Sategna (redshirt freshman), Chris Harris (redshirt junior - walk-on), Kalil Girault (redshirt sophomore - walk-on), Kamron Bibby (redshirt freshman - walk-on)
Additions: Tyrone Broden (redshirt senior), Andrew Armstrong (redshirt senior), Isaac TeSlaa (senior), Davion Dozier (freshman), Dazmin James (freshman), Marlon Crockett (redshirt sophomore - walk-on), Reid Touchstone (redshirt junior - walk-on), Chris Rhodes (redshirt sophomore - walk-on), Jace Petty (redshirt freshman - walk-on), Kaylon Morris (freshman - walk-on)
The Starters
While they weren't always the first teamers in spring and that will probably remain the case at the start of fall camp, the three transfer wide receivers will likely end up being the top targets. The only name we'd throw in with the transfers is redshirt freshman Isaiah Sategna.
Bowling Green transfer Tyrone Broden is 6-foot-7 and he has legit speed that makes him a dangerous vertical threat on the outside. Broden caught 68 passes for 1,102 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
A transfer from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, Isaac TeSlaa was one of the best wide receivers on the Division II level last season. He was named the Great Midwest American Conference Offensive Player of the Year for catching 68 passes for 1,325 yards and 13 touchdowns.
As a redshirt junior for Texas A&M-Commerce, Andrew Armstrong put together one of the best seasons in program history at the wide receiver position in 2022. The Dallas native totaled 62 receptions for 1,020 yards and 13 touchdowns — all of which led the team.
Sategna redshirted in 2022 after playing just 26 snaps as a freshman. A native of Fayetteville, Sategna put together a very impressive spring that could help him be in the running for the team's top pass catcher this season. He is a methodical route runner who can also beat you over the top and he did so with a 65-yard score in the Red-White Scrimmage on April 15.
The Rest
The rest of the receiver room features names that are very intriguing, but they just haven't been able to really break through yet.
Redshirt sophomore Bryce Stephens has all of the tools and he showcased it a couple times in 2022. Stephens returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown in the win over Missouri State and he also caught a 54-yard touchdown in the loss at Mississippi State last year.
Also a redshirt sophomore, Jaedon Wilson will be looking to finally play a legit role in the offense this fall. Wilson caught three passes for 49 yards last season, though most of that came when he caught two passes for 47 yards in the Liberty Bowl win over Kansas. Wilson is a former three-star prospect out of DeSoto, Texas, and it's worth noting that he suffered a cracked tibia in a car accident during the spring.
Sophomore Sam Mbake actually ran with the first team offense for most of the spring. A former three-star prospect out of Kennesaw, Georgia, Mbake was primarily a special teams contributor in 2022. He did move to defensive back for a short period of time, but ended up going back to receiver and he will look to get in the rotation this fall.
Freshmen Davion Dozier and Dazmin James round out the scholarship wide receivers.
Coming out of Moody, Alabama, Dozier was rated a four-star by Rivals. He caught 59 passes for 1,325 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior for Moody High School. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound receiver has a bright future.
A late addition, James committed to Arkansas on June 5 out of Clayton, North Carolina. While not rated by Rivals, James was given a three-star rating by 247Sports. He recorded 43 receptions for 601 receiving yards and five touchdowns through the air, while also rushing for 321 yards and four scores as a senior.
Of the walk-on receivers, Memphis transfer Marlon Crockett and JUCO transfer defensive back-turned-wide receiver Chris Rhodes probably have the best chance of seeing any play time.
Things To Watch
Who will lead the team in receiving yards?
We put together a story earlier in July making the case for three different receivers to lead the team in receiving yards. Sategna, TeSlaa and Armstrong were the ones we argued for, but don't count Broden out.
Can a WR have double-digit TDs?
Only five players in school history have recorded double-digit touchdown receptions in a season. Treylon Burks was the last to do it when he hauled in 11 touchdowns during the 2021 season.
If I had to pick one to lead the team in receiving touchdowns, I'd go Broden. His size and speed could be dangerous if he stays healthy.
Will a returning WR be legit contributor?
If Sategna's spring showing was any sign of what's to come, the answer to this question is yes. Of the returners, Sategna seems to have the best shot of being a regular in the rotation, but Stephens, Mbake and Wilson all have the potential as well.
Will a freshman step up?
Dozier played on a different level as a senior for Moody High School. He wasn't an early enrollee, though, and neither was James. Both will have an adjustment period, but they can easily contribute on special teams as freshmen.
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