Interview: Bishop Gorman 2018 OL Jacob Isaia Showcasing Athleticism on Camp Circuit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

During the offseason, Class of 2018 offensive lineman Jacob Isaia made a move that was big, and in so many different ways, going from Iolani High School in Honolulu to Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. Not only are the geographic locations seemingly worlds apart along with the climate and landscape, but few schools have the label of national high school football powerhouse the way Bishop Gorman does. The Gales have won seven consecutive Nevada state championships and notched a national title at the end of the 2014 season.

Isaia was a starting left tackle for the Raiders during his sophomore season and is transitioning to fill a starting role along the Gales offensive line in 2016. The 6’3”, 235 pound, talent has quickly adjusted to his new school and has shown no ill effects of the change. At the Nike Opening regional in Los Angeles on Feb. 28, Isaia produced a Nike SPARQ rating of 101.31 placing him in the Top 100 athletes in the nation so far regardless of position or grade classification. His accomplishment is a little more impressive knowing only one other offensive lineman has scored better than him, Class of 2017 recruit Brett Neilon (Santa Margarita) with a score of 103.89.

Delving a little bit further into the numbers, Isaia outshined a lot of Class of 2018 skill position players rated as 4- and 3-star recruits at the Los Angeles regional in an event that is not necessarily set up for the big men up front to do well. The SPARQ tests consists of a 40-yard dash, shuttle drill, vertical jump, and power ball toss; quickness has not always been a lineman’s forte. Isaia ran his 40-yard dash in a 4.91, his shuttle in 4.55, tossed the power ball 39 feet, and jumped 36.6 inches. Remember he is still technically just a sophomore.

Before entering his junior season, Isaia has a lot of things he is working on in the weight room and on the practice field. Fresh off his big showing in Los Angeles, I sat down with Isaia to get the inside scoop on his transfer to Bishop Gorman, his thoughts on his Nike Opening regional performance, and a recruiting news update.

Interview

Jacob, you made a big move in the offseason. How has your transition from Honolulu to Vegas gone?

“The transition has been great. I have a lot of Hawaii guys here helping me. A lot of kids at Bishop Gorman have been helping me. Everyone has been helping me work my way through the program.”

What are some of the differences between the two schools, and not necessarily in a negative way?

“Bishop Gorman is a prestigious athletic school. We workout a lot, push each other to workout, and work on academics as well. At Iolani, I was focused on academics more than athletics. Here they balance it out.”

Great answer thank you. You had a great showing at the Nike Opening regional in Los Angeles. What was your SPARQ score?

“101.31.”

How does that score translate for you?

“It shows how much I’ve worked in the last year. The last time I did the combine I got a 77, I had a bad knee then. The score I got this time around was amazing. I thought I would be in the 80-90 range. When I found out I was at 101.31, I was amazed. I know it is the No. 1 ranking for offensive linemen in the 2018 class. I’m not sure about where that ranks among the 2018 offensive linemen so far.”

What camps are you going to coming up?

“I might go to the UCLA Big Man Camp later in the summer. I don’t know about Rivals yet. I know I’m doing the Oakland Nike Regional and the All-Poly camp in Utah.”

You did so well at the Nike camp in LA, why go to the Oakland camp and do it all over again?

“I feel like I need to work on a few things like my 40. I got a 4.9, but I think I can bump it to 4.7-4.8. With the power ball, I need to work on my technique. I have the strength. My vertical was amazing, I have not jumped that high in a while. The shuttle, I need to work on that as well. I know I can do better. Hopefully I can get better score.”

I think that’s great that you are going back after it. What did you weigh in at for the Nike camp?

“I was at 6’3”, but I was supposed to be at 240. A lot of kids got sick at school and so did I right before the camp. I lost some weight and came in at 233.”

What is your offseason weight gain goal?

“I want to be at 250-260. My main goal would be around 250.”

You mentioned some exposure camps, are you going to any college camps coming up?

“I’m not sure yet. Maybe. I’m looking at a camp in the Midwest, Sound Mind Sound Body in Detroit.”

Which schools are showing interest in you right now?

“The biggest interests are Michigan State, UCLA, USC – I just went to their Junior Day, and Washington.”

How did USC’s Junior Day go for you?

“It was great. I loved talking to the coaches. They were very helpful showing me around, telling me a lot about the history of the school, and their point of view on coaching. They talked about how they see me right now. I think they are really interested in me. I know a lot of the recruiters go into different areas. I talked to the Hawaii and Nevada area guys.”

How does USC see you right now?

“Some see me as a defensive end. When I talked to the offensive line coach, Coach (Neil) Callaway, they see a lot of potential in me on the offensive line.”

Do you have any other unofficial visits coming up?

“None that are planned yet but I really want to take another unofficial to Michigan State.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“I looked at my GPA the other day, it’s about a 3.0. I’m working hard to maintain good grades.”

Jacob, thanks for your time today. Again, congratulations on a great showing at the Nike camp and good luck up in Oakland.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Isaia family; Jacob at USC.

Photo credit: Isaia family; Jacob receives his Nike SPARQ rating.