HawgBeat's Arkansas Class of 2022 Signee Superlatives
Most likely to break out in spring ball? Here are five "signee superlatives" as we close out the 2022 recruiting cycle.
Though the 2022 recruiting class is (nearly) set in stone following the first day of the early signing period, there's still time to get to know the newest crop of Razorbacks.
With a school-record 16 of Arkansas' 20 signees set to enroll at the semester's turn, it only seems right to give them a proper senior sendoff.
While we won't be picking a class clown or giving an award for the best hair (though, we all know that would've gone to long-snapper Eli Stein and his mullet), there are five "Senior Superlatives" to give out as we move toward the closing of the '22 class.
From "most likely to become a fan-favorite" to the "crown jewel" of the group, here's a look at what you can expect from Sam Pittman's second class as the Head Hog.
***Disclaimer - I've only factored in commitments that have signed with Arkansas as of Dec. 17, 2021 (therefore Belleville (Mich.) S Myles Rowser wasn't eligible for any of these awards despite his intention to sign with the Hogs in February.)***
Most likely to become a fan-favorite
It'd be very easy to go with one of the current fan-favorites in in-state running back James Jointer Jr., but I think the punter from down under may just find his way into the hearts of Razorback Nation.
I was able to talk to Max Fletcher following his commitment back in October, and between his confidence in his ability to make an impact early and the casual signoff of an Australian flag and a kangaroo, it's hard to not like what you're getting in this kid.
Fletcher will be joining Eli Stein as the scholarship specialists in the '22 class, and he may have an opportunity to square off against his brother, Mason, in Arkansas' season opener vs. Cincinnati.
A log-jam in the running back room may postpone calls for the '22 class' lead recruiter, but, as we well know by now, there's always room for the next guy up at punter in the eyes of fans. Despite a solid year from Reid Bauer, we've seen special teams as a somewhat fluid situation of late.
A booming leg and the prospect of an Aussie punter (see Sam Irwin-Hill and Cameron Johnston) paired with some unique swagger will have fans ready to buy into whatever NIL opportunity Fletcher stumbles upon.
Most likely to break out in spring ball
Jordan Crook capped off a commitment-filled July for the Razorbacks with a bang as he flipped from Oklahoma State following a visit to Fayetteville.
While he may not have the fanfare of other recruits in the class, there are a number of factors that point to him making some waves in spring ball.
Out of Duncanville (Texas), Crook is used to performing at a high level on the biggest stage, posting 98 tackles (10.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks) and six turnovers (three fumbles, three interceptions) as a senior.
As well as that, Arkansas is losing (at least) two out of three of its experienced linebackers following the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1. With Hayden Henry and Grant Morgan playing 66% of potential snaps for the Razorbacks - and that number jumping to 93% if you toss in potential super-senior Bumper Pool - there is certainly room for a fresh face in the rotation.
With guys like Chris "Pooh" Paul and Andrew Parker both picking up some love from the staff, it's no guarantee that Crook finds a starting spot even with Pool's departure, but at 6-foot 225-pounds, don't be surprised by a hard push for the job from the true-freshman.
Most likely to have an impact in 2022
It's no secret that tight end play has been a topic of discussion - to put it nicely - among the Razorback faithful over the past two seasons. We've seen a steady drop-off in usage of the position within the offense in recent years, and it seemed like this year that may have been due to a lack of personnel.
With a number of guys seeing a preseason shift to the position, only time will tell which of those changes will stick. One player who the staff hopes could be bringing with him is Tyrus "Megatron" Washington.
Out of Leesburg (Ga.), Washington posted an impressive season of film after committing to Arkansas in July.
An added emphasis on not only his receiving role of the offense, but also the blocking brings in a dual-threat ability that the team simply hasn't had over the past two seasons.
Coming in as an early-enrollee gives the high-three star an extra step ahead in learning Kendal Briles' offense, and with the right looks could prove himself a valuable option to trot out alongside Trey Knox.
Most likely to out-perform their rating
This may very well go down as the biggest steal of the class for Sam Pittman.
Offensive lineman Andrew Chamblee was the lowest-rated of a strong group, but despite holding a 5.6 three-star rating and being listed as the No. 9 player in the state by Rivals there is some major upside in the Maumelle (Ark.) product.
At 6-foot-6, 293-pounds, Chamblee notched some praise from the Head Hog in his Early Signing Day presser.
"Well, you have (Andrew) Chamblee, whom I think has potential to be a great player," Pittman said. "He has everything. Size, feet, all those things.
"He looks like what you're supposed to, a lot of length and he's athletic like you're supposed to be."
Now, to be fair in my assessment, Chamblee was rated as high as the No. 1 player in the state by other services, and even climbed into the No. 149 overall spot in one.
I'm not quite sure what Rivals saw that hampered Chamblee's ranking, but should the skills he showed off in his high school career translate then Pittman could be looking at a really special talent on the O-Line.
The Crown Jewel
If there was any of these that I had to bet 95% of you were able to guess, this would be it - and it's for good reason. Isaiah Sategna is the biggest pickup that the Razorbacks have had on the trail since...
The allure of bringing in a receiver of Sategna's caliber is one thing, but doing so despite a longstanding expectation that he'd be playing his college ball elsewhere makes it all the more impressive by the staff.
A four-month commitment to Oregon was ended in a surprise flip to Arkansas, and it's been all Hogs since that point.
In a class loaded with wideouts, there's little doubt in my mind that Sategna has a chance to be a star. I mean, the kid led the ENTIRE COUNTRY in receiving yards in 2021.
Though he has blazing speed and the ability to break away in the open field, his route-running and ball skills are second to none. Just look at this play and try sliding someone else into this spot -
Look, we won't see Treylon Burks 2.0 immediately next season in Sategna, but with the skill set he has and legitimate SEC track speed (yes, he's running track for the Razorbacks as well), Sategna has the potential to become something special in his time at Arkansas, and he is undoubtedly the crown jewel of this 2022 group.
