Interview: 2017 California JUCO OG Isaiah Lawrence Narrowing Down Over 20 Scholarship Offers

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Anytime a student-athlete receives a scholarship offer, there should be a celebration. On the surface, a great amount of time, dedication, and hard work, on and off the playing field, has been extended to get that honor. While some offers may come down the line that are expected, other offers come hidden behind a story of true triumph. At the junior college level, many student-athletes are already playing behind the proverbial 8-ball looking to extend their playing days in hopes of snagging a scholarship offer to a four-year program – that is exactly what Isaiah Lawrence did, just not in the timeframe as most of his counterparts.

Time can make all the difference in the world, both physically and mentally. When Lawrence was playing football at Samuel Fels High School in Philadelphia, academics and football were not at the forefront of his universe. After taking two years off from the game for family reasons, Lawrence reemerged onto the gridiron with Pierce College in Los Angeles as a gray-shirt in 2014 ready to give football another go. After one season at Pierce and a breakout season at Los Angeles Valley College during the 2016 campaign, Lawrence is one of the more highly sought after JUCO offensive linemen in the nation as part of the 2017 class.

The transformation for Lawrence has been a thing of beauty. During his high school days, he played at 6-1, 340, lining up primarily at defensive tackle. Classroom work was not as important to him then either – but all of that has changed. Lawrence is now a lean-and-mean Monarchs green offensive guard machine proudly sporting a 3.8 GPA. His work in the weight room and on the practice field has morphed him into a 6-3, 310 pound, one-man gang at guard applying his brute strength in the run and passing game. Lawrence’s play helped pave the way for the Monarchs to post a perfect 11-0 season in 2016 winning the American Division Championship Bowl with a 24-16 defeat of Southwestern.

Lawrence’s talents have drawn 20-plus scholarship offers from four-year programs. The young man once two years removed from playing high school football seeing his window of receiving a free education by playing football dwindling away is now on the doorstep of making a major life decision; a fantastic decision to make that will help shape the rest of his life. In the joy of the moment signing with a next level college program will not be lost on the struggle of his journey. Lawrence had one stint of sharing a studio apartment with seven other people and twice shared living quarters with 12 others.

Ahead of Lawrence’s June 19th commitment date, a set date for great reason, I caught up with the JUCO talent getting an overview on his sophomore season, off-season workouts, and recruiting prospects.

Interview

Isaiah, by all accounts you had a breakout sophomore season going from a virtual unknown to a highly coveted recruit, how did your game improve from your freshman to sophomore season at the JUCO level?

“My coach, Coach Tanner, taught me a lot of stuff technique wise and taught me on how to read defensive players. Before that, I felt like I was just out there to be out there. The coaches at Valley really helped me improve my game. They taught me how to take defensive linemen out of the game completely.”

From a technical standpoint, how did you work over the opposition so well?

“I was quicker than most defensive tackles I faced. My coaches taught me how to play slower. I have a quick set and kick. When I set, I had to be more patient waiting on the defender. With my punch, my coaches told me that I have a strong punch and just stay with it. They also said I have always had really good footwork, just use your technique.”

Who was the toughest defensive lineman or linebacker you went up against last season?

“The two toughest defensive tackles I went up against were my teammates, Terrell Cloud and Charlie Koka.”

How did they make you a better player?

“Terrell, he was as quick as me. When we went against each other it was a chest match. He would time the ball perfectly forcing me to keep getting better. Charlie, he is a strong Polynesian. It was helpful going up against him. He was probably the strongest defensive lineman in our conference. They helped me get better in different ways – speed, strength, and technique.”

You play with a lot of power in your game with your blocks, what are your weight room maxes?

“My bench is 335, my squat is 550, deadlift is 415, and my power clean is 275.”

Nice. What have you been doing this spring to stay in shape?

“I have been working out with a Fresno State player, Malik Forrester (defensive lineman). I’ve been working out with him and my fellow offensive linemen are working out. We are doing technical stuff so we don’t lose anything this spring.”

How many offers do you have now?

“Over twenty.”

Which schools have offered you?

“Sioux Falls, Elizabeth City, State University, South Dakota School of Minds and Tech, Central State University, Fort Valley State, Virginia State, University of Texas Permian Basin, St. Augustine, Western New Mexico, Wayne State, Virginia Union, Slippery Rock, Black Hills State, Kentucky Wesleyan, and FCS- D-II schools like Alabama A&M, Arkansas Pine Bluff, and Tusculum in Tennessee.”

Are there any schools showing interest but have not offered?

“I’ve been talking to Murray State, Tennessee Tech, and Northern Arizona. Alabama State reached out to me a few days ago. Louisiana-Monroe saw my film and liked it, so did North Carolina A&T.”

Have you taken any visits, unofficial or official?

“I’ve been to Alabama A&M. I have some trips coming up next week. I’m going to Sioux Falls, Rocky Mountain College, and a couple other coaches said they wanted to set something up. I’m waiting on the other colleges to see where else I may go.”

When do you make your decision where you will play college ball at the next level?

“On June 19, that is my mother’s birthday and my deceased Aunt’s birthday. I want to make the day special for my mom.”

When you announce the lucky school, what will that school have shown you or what will that program have that influenced you to sign there?

“The school will have a coaching staff that will push me to get my degree. I have a 3.8 GPA. I take school very-very serious. Without grades you cannot play football.”

How are you going to do your announcement?

“I’ll do it on social media – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.”

When you step on the field for the first time in a full-pads practice with your new team this fall, what will that moment be like for you in your heart and mind?

“It will be mind-blowing. It will make me remember all the work I put in to get to that moment. I have friends that are now in the NFL going through the JUCO route. It will be humbling too. I lived 13-deep in a two bedroom, eight-deep in a studio, and 13-deep in a three-bedroom. To survive out here I was on food stamps as well. It’ll be a big moment for me.”

Isaiah, thanks for taking time to do the interview today. Good luck with your upcoming visits and announcement.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Photo credit: LA Valley College; No. 71 Isaiah Lawrence pulling (2016).

Photo credit: LA Valley College; No. 71 Isaiah Lawrence pre-game (2016).

Photo credit: LA Valley College; No. 71 Isaiah Lawrence holding championship trophy (2016).