New Hogs' Receiver Considered 'Freak Athlete by National Columnist

Isaac TeSlaa didn’t start his college career as a can’t miss prospect but has received glowing reveals during offseason and fall camp.

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Aug 15, 2023 9:58 PM EDT

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It hasn’t taken long for Isaac TeSlaa, a former Division II star, to turn heads as he moved up in competition. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman has been vocal about how well the former Hillsdale College player has adapted to the speed to the SEC.

Bruce Feldman at The Athletic did a look at the "freaks" in college football this year and tabbed TeSlaa to include in the list. Considering this Razorback team doesn't get a whole ton of accolades, at least it shows somebody is paying attention.

“A transfer from D-II Hillsdale College, where he was the Great Midwest American Conference offensive player of the year after catching 68 passes for 1,325 yards and 13 touchdowns, the 6-4, 216-pound senior has impressed his new coaches. TeSlaa has displayed good strength for a wideout (a 315-pound bench) to go with terrific athleticism (38-inch vertical jump and a 10-5 broad jump) and excellent size and reliable hands.” — Bruce Feldman, The Athletic

The blurb by Feldman on the transfer checks out. Even the Hogs strength coach, Ben Sowders, is blown away by Tesla’s athletic ability.

“Man, he’s a freak show,” Sowders said. “He’s a freak show. I”m glad we got him and nobody else did. But, I mean, you’re talking… I think he’s like a 515-squatter at 215 pounds. He’s running high, high-21s. He cleaned 335. Could probably have done a little bit more. I think he hit 350 or 355 on his bench. I mean, you’re talking about a receiver, now.”

Fellow transfer, Alfahyim Walcott relayed the same message about the same wideout he faces almost daily in practice.

“You’re right. A freakshow,” said Walcott. “Like, I’m watching it. Bro, I’m like, ‘What the heck?’ As a receiver, you know what I’m saying? I’m a pretty strong guy, as well, but watching him like the clean, bench, squat. Like, that’s going to be a problem.”

Although plenty of football fans, coaches and media members have never heard of TeSlaa doesn’t make him feel any less confident. During the spring, he spent time in a press conference sharing his experience of being recruited in high school.

“Like I wasn’t overlooked,” TeSlaa said. “I don’t blame coaches for not recruiting me out of high school. I mean, I was a quarterback and I didn’t have any film at receiver. Small school, we played the wing-T and I was a quarterback. I mean, I don’t blame them for not seeing the receiver potential in me. But I knew if I put the work in I would be able to produce some numbers, then obviously I balled out last couple of years and luckily the guys here noticed I’m a playmaker and that’s what I’m here to do now.”

His recruitment as a transfer was said to be a much busier process than it was just a few years earlier coming out of high school. The 6-foot-4, 215 pound receiver had offers from Oklahoma State, Iowa, Colorado, Texas A&M and a host of other high major programs.

The one question that remains is how will his game translate to FBS and SEC football? If TeSlaa is able to come out in week one and blow Razorback fans a way, he could definitely become a favorite of not only the fans but college football as a whole.