Interview: 3-Star 2020 RB Isaiah Jacobs Talks Breakout Season and Recruiting Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The recruiting trail is quickly learning about Class of 2020 running back Isaiah Jacobs and for good reason – he is very talented. The Owasso High School rising star blistered 6A Oklahoma competition during the 2018 season earning a three-star recruiting ranking and eight offers along the way.
The raw capabilities for Jacobs was seen in spurts during his sophomore campaign rushing 23 times for 149 yards with two scores while pulling down six passes for 83 more yards playing behind a senior. Skipping ahead to his junior season, the field was his playground rushing 151 times for 1,024 yards with nine trips into the end zone. He further showcased his all-purpose talents as a piledriving lead blocker and a threat on third downs securing 27 passes for 296 yards with another score going up on the board.
The offseason is proving to be a busy one for the 5-10, 198-pound, must-get Power 5 Conference recruiting target. Visits have been taken with more visits on the schedule along with national camps and combines to showcase his talents extend beyond the borders of Oklahoma. To learn about it all, I sat down for an in-depth one-on-one with Jacobs.
Interview
Isaiah, I really like your running style. You run hard and drag folks churning up yards. When the lights come on come Friday night in the fall, what is your mentality when the ball is handed off to you?
“My mentality is a killer mentality. No matter what, my mindset is I need to get that extra yard every time I run the ball.”
The 2018 season was a breakout one for you after being behind a senior during your sophomore campaign. Did you anticipate the kind of success you had ahead of your junior year?
“No. Not at all. My sophomore year, did not play as much. Coming off that year, I received two offers. I had it in the back of my mind that I could make an impact for my team, things started to go up from there.”
You showcased your all-purpose back talents as a devastating blocker and a target out of the backfield on passing downs. How did those two areas of your game improve in 2018?
“We had a new running backs coach, that helped a lot. I worked to get chemistry with my QB. We did a lot of passing routes to work on my hands and our timing.”
I mentioned a few areas of your game that I like, your running style and yards after contact. What are some other strengths to your game?
“My football IQ and my field vision are strengths to my game. When I am running everything slows down, I can see everything before it happens.”
What are you working on with your game this offseason?
“Everything. My goal is to get better in every aspect of my game.”
Are you going to any national camps and/or combines this offseason?
“Yes. I am going to a Nike Opening Regional and I competed at an Under Armour All-American regional.”
How did the Under Armour camp go?
“I did great in the one-on-ones, but I did not get to test. I didn’t run my 40 because we got there late.”
With recruiting, which schools are showing interest in you?
“I am receiving interest from TCU, Kansas State, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Arkansas State, Nebraska, Utah, and Missouri.”
How many offers do you have now?
“I have eight. I just received an offer from Maryland.”
Jacobs Offer Sheet (8): Arkansas, Ole Miss, SMU, South Dakota State, Tulsa, Eastern Michigan, Maryland, Memphis
Fantastic. Congratulations.
“Thank you.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?
“Yes. I have been to Mizzou and Arkansas. I was supposed to go to Kansas State but I went to the Under Armour All-American camp. I will get up there sometime soon for a visit.”
In addition to the Kansas State visit, are there any other schools you may visit upcoming?
“I am taking a visit to Ole Miss.”
Backtracking, how did the Mizzou visit go?
“It was good. They want to see me this spring. I talked to their staff, I knew a lot of them from my brother. I learned about their new facility. They should have that build by the time I graduate from high school.”
What about Arkansas, how did that go?
“It was amazing. The level of interest was different between the two. The way Coach (Chad) Morris (head coach) has everything setup for the staff and everyone, I like it. He has certain standards he wants met. They are like a family up there. I know there are other schools that could feel like that for me, that is why I am taking my time with the recruiting process.”
Isaiah, I appreciate your time today covering all the topics with me. Good luck with the rest of your spring workouts and upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Jacobs family; Isaiah Jacobs at Arkansas and Missouri