Interview with Hawaii Class of 2018 Rising Star OL/DL Jacob Isaia

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The 2015 high School football season across the U.S. is starting to come to a close after two months of a lot of blood, sweat, and tears by thousands of kids. Week after week and game after game the unexpected continues to happen making each week all the more exciting and while making preseason expectations a distant memory.

Hundreds of high school players across the nation have brushed off the veil of low expectations to emerge as top players for their school, conference, and/or state. Entering the 2015 season few would have guessed that a 6’3”, 235 pound, kid from Hawaii would emerge as a player to watch for on recruiting boards. The fact that said player is 6’3”, 235 pounds, or that he is from Hawaii is not the surprising part but knowing that said player is a starting left tackle for one of Honolulu’s biggest schools and he is just a sophomore is pretty amazing.

This has been one of the feel good stories of the 2015 season, watching Iolani High School’s Jacob Isaia emerge as a top player in his class despite his lack of prototypical weight for a left tackle. Using technique and a lot of God given speed and natural strength, Isaia has caught the eye of top west coast football programs like UCLA, USC, and Washington with each program already hosting him or preparing to host him on unofficial visits starting the early grass roots movement of building a relationship that one day could turn into a signed letter of intent.

Jacob’s maturation on the gridiron will come with a lot of support. Players coming from Hawaii stick together and UCLA guys like freshman offensive guard Fred Ulu-Perry (St. Louis High School – Honolulu) and junior linebacker Isaako Savaiinaea (Punahou High School – Honolulu) are already watching out for him. Jacob also has gifted bloodlines on his side. His dad, Sale Isaia played for UCLA in the early 1990’s playing five seasons in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns (1995), Baltimore Ravens (1996-1998), and New England Patriots (2000).

The younger Isaia has a long way to go before becoming a top prospect needing to pack on the pounds, but all the other signs of him being a next level recruit are already there. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Jacob after he visited UCLA to get the inside scoop on his sophomore season and a recruiting news update.

Interview                                  

Jacob, it is pretty impressive that you are starting at the varsity level, especially at left tackle, during your sophomore season. Did you start or play as a freshman at the varsity level?

“I was a starter on our intermediate team at left tackle and defensive end.”

The 2015 season has been a little tough for you guys going 2-7. How has the team held up over the season?

“We finished strong in a tough league. We moved up to Division I this year because of league rules. We kept winning championships and so we had to move up a level. This is our first time in Division I. We did not have a lot of bodies, we only had 42 players. Fortunately I got to start at left tackle this year.”

What are your strengths on the field at left tackle?

“I feel like my passing blocking is the strongest part of my game. I still need to work on my run blocking.”

What did you do in the offseason to prepare for this season?

“I didn’t come to a lot of the practices because I was playing volleyball with a club team. I also went to Michigan State and Ohio State. When I got back I went straight into running plays and working on my technique.”

You play bigger than your size at left tackle, what is your bench press and squat max?

“My bench press max is 315 and my squat max is four plates on both sides (415).”

Did you play any defensive line this year?

“No I didn’t play defense, but next year I’m expecting to play both ways.”

The offseason is coming quick, do you have a plan for your offseason workouts yet?

“This year I quit basketball to focus on lifting and working with other coaches to get better. I’m going to work hard on my strength and conditioning.”

Do you have a weight gain goal that you want to meet?

“My goal is to get up above 250 pounds in the offseason.”

What schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?

“Right now, UCLA and Washington. I’m going to visit Washington in November. When I was at UCLA for the Cal game (Oct. 22), I talked to Coach (Adrian) Klemm, UCLA’s offensive line coach, and the director of football relations, Matt Bernstein. Matt showed me around campus.”

How did your visit with UCLA go?

“I liked it. It was amazing. I got to watch the game at the Rose Bowl vs. Cal. The day after we met with Coach Klemm and I also got to catch up with some of the Hawaii boys like Isaako Savaiinaea and Fred Ulu-Perry. I also got invited to watch the volleyball team practice. I know Michael Fisher, he’s the Bruins’ setter from Hawaii (Hawaii Baptist Academy – Kailua).”

What all did you see when you toured the campus?

“Matt took me around the old part of the campus. He let us go into the football facilities. I saw where the trainers go, it is remarkable what they have there. It was a really nice experience.”

Are you excited about UCLA now?

“My dad (Sale Isaia) played at UCLA in the early ‘90’s. He played defensive line for the first three years and then they moved him to the offensive line. He played in the NFL for the Ravens and Patriots.”

So you have a good instructor working with you?

“Yeah.”

When you’ve talked to college coaches like Coach Klemm, what are they telling you about your game?

“They’ve said they like my film. I have not talked to Washington’s offensive line coach (Chris Strausser) a lot. Coach Klemm said I’ll have a future as an offensive lineman. He told me to gain weight at slow pace and maintain my foot speed.”

It maybe way too early but have you started putting together a list of college camps you plan on attending during the offseason?

“I know I’m going to UCLA’s Big Man Camp and to a University of Hawaii camp.”

You mentioned before that you were playing volleyball in the offseason last year, will you play volleyball again during this offseason?

“My main focus is playing D-I football.”

What position did you play in volleyball?

“I was an outside setter. I made the national team in volleyball.”

You must have a pretty good vertical leap.

“33 inches.”

You mentioned an upcoming visit to Washington, are you going to any other schools for a visit in the near future?

“USC in January but I’m not sure on the exact date.”

Who have you been talking to on USC’s staff?

“Scott Thompson, he’s their scouting director.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I really like how everyone gets along. We all play hard and come together under our school motto which is “one team.” We believe in that motto. I like how we play as one team. No one player stands out. We all help each other out. When one guy goes down the other has to step up and play their hearts out and we do.”

Jacob, thanks for your time today and good luck in the offseason.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Isaia family; Jacob (center right) at UCLA with stepdad (left), Fred Ulu-Perry (center left) and Isaako Savaiinaea (right).

Photo credit: Isaia family; Jacob with Coach Klemm.

Photo credit: Isaia family; Jacob in UCLA film room.