5 freshmen to watch from Arkansas football recruiting's highest-ranked class since 2015

Arkansas football's 2022 recruiting class was its highest-ranked since 2015. With an overall ranking of No. 22 and seven four-star prospects, coach Sam Pittman's latest class came with plenty of hype.

Now, those prospects are preparing for their first season in Arkansas uniforms. Of the more than 30 freshmen on the 2022 roster, a handful have made an impression in preseason practices and have a chance to be impact players as freshmen.

Here's a look at five new Razorbacks to watch in 2022.

LB Jordan Crook

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 227 pounds

Hometown: Duncanville, Texas

What to know: Arkansas' top linebackers are returning standout Bumper Pool and Alabama transfer Drew Sanders. But behind them, don't count out Crook. The "high-energy" player is a viable option as the Razorbacks' third linebacker. Linebackers coach Michael Scherer said he's working with Crook on shaking bad habits and learning the defense, but he expects big things from the former three-star.

"We're going to need Jordan Crook in a lot of different situations, and he's ready for it," Scherer said. "You'll see Jordan Crook a lot this year, no doubt about it."

DL Nico Davillier

Height: 6-4

Weight: 240

Hometown: Maumelle

What to know: Pittman said after Arkansas' first scrimmage that the defensive lineman would play this season rather than redshirt. With interior lineman Cam Ball out because of an injury, Davillier has moved inside, but Pittman said he can play at either spot. Defensive line coach Deke Adams praised the former three-star's physicality and ability to get to the ball.

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"You don’t find many guys that big that are that athletic at his age," Pittman said. "I’m really high on him. I think he’s going to be really good for us.”

OL E'Marion Harris

Height: 6-7

Weight: 362

Hometown: Little Rock

What to know: The second-highest rated recruit in Arkansas' 2022 class, Harris is a big lineman who Kennedy said can play at guard or tackle. His listed weight is more than 360 pounds, but Kennedy said he had worked to get down to about 330. Harris is fighting for a spot on the depth chart with an offensive line that returned all but one starter from last season. Harris' versatility helps in that regard, Kennedy said.

"He’s a large, powerful kid," Kennedy said. "We’ve been flexing him in at guard, but man, he also is athletic enough to flex out to tackle."

OL Patrick Kutas

Height: 6-5

Weight: 305

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee

What to know: Kutas has played just about every spot on the offensive line in preseason practice thanks to minor injuries among the group. Pittman said if he had to choose one spot for Kutas, he'd be at left guard battling redshirt freshman Jalen St. John. He's also been getting work at center of late.

"I've always thought (center would) be a great place to play one of your best young kids, because he has to learn the game in there," Pittman said. "He's done a really good job. He's starting on some special teams for us, too. We're going to travel him and expect him to be in the 2-deep at some point."

WR Isaiah Sategna

Height: 5-11

Weight: 173

Hometown: Fayetteville

What to know: What Sategna lacks in height, he makes up for in speed and ball skills. The top-rated recruit in Arkansas' 2022 class, Sategna has impressed in practice. Although older players such as Oklahoma transfer Jadon Haselwood, returner Warren Thompson and sophomore Ketron Jackson Jr. will lead the way at receiver, Sategna has an opportunity to get in the mix. He's also in the running for kickoff and punt return duties, Pittman said.

"If you’re not the biggest guy, you have to have special skills, and he has them," Pittman said. "He can separate. Really good hands. ... I like him a lot. When he runs by people, I like him a little bit more. He’s got super speed.”

Christina Long covers the Arkansas Razorbacks for the Southwest Times Record and USA Today Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at clong@swtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football freshmen to watch: Isaiah Sategna, E'Marion Harris