2018 Bishop Gorman 3-Star OL Jacob Isaia Talks Vanderbilt Offer from USC Camp

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

If game tape does not lie, witnessing in person makes true believers of us all. The whirlwind off-season football camp circuit Jacob Isaia has been on has been worked to plan allowing the Class of 2018 rising star to showcase his skillset throughout the west coast territory. The results show college coaches across the country believe Isaia could be a future starter in the trenches seeing his offer total go from three in late February to 22 as of June 12 making him one of the hottest recruits in the nation.

The buildup began when Isaia showed his budding talents during the 2016 season as the starting right tackle for Bishop Gorman. The Gaels were unstoppable posting a perfect 15-0 season capturing a MaxPreps national championship. If there was any concern about Isaia among college scouts, it was never about his heart, drive, determination, or athleticism, it could only be about his size. Isaia played his junior year around the 6-3, 260, mark but has gone about adding size to his frame the right way, the healthy way. He is now at a muscular 6-3.5, 275 pounds, and growing.

Isaia has not only earned his stripes on the field with Bishop Gorman, but has taken the challenge to the top defensive lineman in the country competing at the Under Armour All-American Camp, the Los Angeles and Oakland Nike Regionals, and over the weekend at USC’s Rising Stars Camp. Doubters no longer could question his talents with his three early offers from Michigan State, Nevada, and BYU expanding to Ole Miss, San Diego State, UCLA, Kansas State, Dartmouth, Virginia, UNLV, Minnesota, Georgia Tech, Hawaii, Syracuse, Arizona, Iowa State, Connecticut, Washington State, and Utah.

The list expanded to 22 over the last couple of days with Louisville and Vanderbilt jumping on the bandwagon. Any offer is sweet, but the Vanderbilt offer might be a little sweeter earning it at the USC Rising Stars Camp where Isaia was recognized as an offensive MVP performer working directly with Commodores’ offensive line coach Cameron Norcross.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Isaia after his performance at the USC camp and after a quick unofficial visit crosstown at UCLA to get an update on his recruiting process.

Interview

Jacob, you attended USC’s Rising Stars Camp on Sunday. How did the camp go for you?

“I thought it went great. I thought it was awesome to see different coaching points. There were offensive line coaches from Vanderbilt, Northwestern, USC and Michigan all giving me pointers. It was great to see how they run their offensive linemen schemes.”

What were some of the different points of instruction you received from the coaches?

“It was cool to see how their technique is different from one another. One example is on double-teams. San Jose was teaching to step forward while double-teaming while Colorado State taught to step back and hit. It was different, and different steps, but all work for the common goals but showed there are different ways to do it.”

What are your thoughts on your performance during the linemen drills?

“I wasn’t really sure who I would go up against. At The Opening Regionals I was going up against the same guys. I know their techniques. At this camp, there were guys there I did not know. There were loads of different talent there. Some may not have any stars or were ranked as two-stars but performed really well. It was interesting to see how they would adapt to me and how I would adapt to them. It was also interesting to see how other linemen do their steps on run blocking and pass setting. It was a great experience getting a different look every time.”

How did the one-on-ones go for you?

“I won more than I lost.”

Did you get any feedback from the coaches during the camp?

“They all taught different techniques and had different viewpoints. Coaches were telling me that my work was great and amazing. USC’s offensive line coach, Coach (Neil) Callaway, he was really coaching me up. I got better every time. When we were doing a pass set, I was working with Vanderbilt’s coach, Coach Norcross. He tweaked me a little bit with my stance, it helped improve my game.”

After the USC camp, you went over to UCLA for an unofficial visit, what all did you do there?

“I did not compete at their camp; it was mostly a receivers and quarterback camp. Their O-line coach, Coach (Hank) Fraley was there. I talked to him some. I saw Coach (Jim) Mora (head coach). I talked to him some as well. It was a really good experience talking to them. They are still interested in me, like me, and I have a really good connection with them.”

Did they talk about the process going forward with your recruitment?

“I’m going to commit in August. I told them that and they were fine with it. They did not mention how many linemen they are taking, but I know they want a lot. They are not picking and choosing how many linemen they are taking like other schools. We’ll see where it goes.”

Louisville offered you last week. How did the Cardinals drop that offer for you?

“I had talked to Louisville before The Opening in Oakland (May 21). I have a good connection with their offensive line coach, Coach (Mike) Summers. When he called me he said ‘next time we talk I hope to give you good news.’ Last week, on June 3, I gave them a call and they said they wanted to offer me. They said I looked really good on film and that they have enough room to offer me. I was really happy with the offer. Coach Summers is a really good person to talk to.”

Right before we got on the phone you picked up another offer, one from Vanderbilt.

“Yes.”

Congratulations.

“Thank you.”

How did the Commodores’ staff let you know about the offer?

“Coach Norcross texted me about an hour ago asking me to give him a call. I called him about 40 minutes later. He said ‘sorry for this being so late but I had to make sure we could take more linemen. Space opened up and we’d like to offer you.’ He really liked me from the start. I approached him too late to get an early offer. He didn’t know if he could offer me with so many commits and a limited number of spots. He saw my film, knew I was a hard worker, and has talked to my family and has a good connection with my parents.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“After Boise state (June 14-17 team camp), I’m going to Kansas State on the 19th and Kansas on the 20th. Then I’m planning on going to Minnesota on the 21st, Vanderbilt on the 23rd, Georgia Tech on the 22nd, and Virginia on the 24th.”

Which schools are showing regular interest but have not offered?

“I think Boise State, USC, Michigan, Washington, and Oregon would be the main schools.”

How many offers now?

“Twenty-two.”

Earlier you mentioned you are committing in August. Why have you set a date in August?

“I want to commit before the season starts so I can focus on my high school season and not on recruiting.”

Do you have a specific date in August set or are you in a wait and see mode?

“Sometime in August, but I do not have an exact date set.”

Are you going to come out with a top schools list soon?

“I think I will either after the visits next week or sometime in July. I’ll come out with a Top 5 or Top 10 to narrow it down, then I’ll be able to commit somewhere.”

Jacob, thanks for your time today and congratulations on a successful USC camp and offers from Louisville and Vanderbilt.

“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: recruitingnewsguru.com; Jacob Isaia at the Oakland Nike Regional.