OU football WR Isaiah Sategna III remained loyal to Sooners while boosting leadership
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
NORMAN — Isaiah Sategna III was forced to do some soul-searching after the 2025 season ended.
Oklahoma football’s leading receiver and its offense’s best player a year ago had options. He had positioned himself well to try his hand at the NFL, while also knowing he’d have an enticing package waiting for him with the Sooners if he wished to return to college for his final season of eligibility.
Ultimately, he was drawn back to OU.
“A lot went into that decision,” Sategna said last week as the Sooners opened training camp. “First, I had to pray to God and ask what He wanted out of me. He kept telling me loyalty and to stay where I'm at. I have more to give and I felt like OU was the right place to be.”
Getting the speedy and reliable 5-foot-10 receiver back was one of the Sooners’ top offseason priorities and he enters preseason camp as the leader of the pack within the receivers unit. Sategna is the SEC’s leading returning receiver and was voted to the conference’s preseason second team.
Now secure in his choice, Sategna aims to improve on his second-team All-SEC campaign from last year. The next step in Sategna’s development has been becoming more of a vocal leader.
While his father is a track coach, Sategna isn't naturally outspoken.
“We've all challenged him and he has come up really well as a leader,” OU quarterback John Mateer said. “We've seen it. And I've been in that position before and it's weird, but he and the receivers are out there all the time catching, and obviously it makes my heart full to see them working.
“Isaiah Sategna is really picking up the whole room.”
In the past, Sategna led with his play on the field and the way he went about his nutrition and recovery. He started all 13 games last season, serving as the Sooners’ primary returner on kickoffs and punts as well, while totaling team highs of 67 receptions, 965 yards and eight touchdown receptions.
Using his voice more has been a work in progress but it’s something he has committed to for the betterment of the team.
“Naturally, I'm a leader that likes to go out there and play and let everybody see what I can do,” Sategna said. “Now, I'm more of a vocal leader this year. There have been some growing pains with that but I feel like I've been a lot better with that this year.”
With a plethora of newcomers at the position like Virginia transfer Trell Harris, Texas transfer Parker Livingstone, Washington State transfer Mackenzie Alleyne and a freshman quartet, that increased leadership has been crucial.
“He's been a huge influence,” OU receivers coach Emmett Jones said. “He’s always reminding guys to meet him in the training room and meet him at the jug machines. To make sure they’re in nutrition and doing what they’re supposed to do, checking and sitting down and eating, having a good relationship with the nutritionists.
“And then guys, see him getting better as far as what he showed last year. To understand the nuances of the position that allow him to be even more deadly than he was last year. So just that — sharing ideas, information, talking through route-running and through everyday approaches with the younger guys.”
In his first press conference of the spring back in March, Brent Venables said Sategna was his favorite player on the Sooners’ roster last season during their College Football Playoff run. The Sooners’ coach admires his competitive spirit, durability and willingness to show up every day to practice with the right mindset.
Getting that production back, combined with an increased leadership role, is more than a welcome sight for OU.
“I’m working on getting out of my comfort zone,” Sategna said.
Other wide receiver happenings as camp gets underway:
– Jones said Harris had a minor setback over the summer and was in “wait and see mode” to start camp. Harris was a full participant in drills. Just over two weeks ago, Venables said the All-ACC receiver was “really close” to being back. One of the most coveted receivers in the transfer portal, Harris totaled 59 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. He arrived on OU's campus nursing an injury with the Cavaliers and underwent a cleanup procedure.
– By all accounts, sophomore receiver Manny Choice had a massive summer. After playing in 10 games primarily on special teams and as a reserve, the 6-foot-4 receiver was a star during spring ball and entered camp with high expectations from the coaching staff. Some even believe he will end up starting.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football WR Isaiah Sategna III remained loyal to Sooners while boosting leadership
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos