Interview: Playmaking Abilities of 2018 California ATH Isaac Taylor Stuart has 22 Offers on the Table

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The stage is set for Class of 2018 do-everything athlete Isaac Taylor-Stuart. Anything and everything is possible for him to succeed going forward. Based on his junior season, Taylor-Stuart will not disappoint.

Taylor-Stuart rushed out in the lead as one of the top all-around athletes in his respective class lining up all over the field for St. Augustine High School. The now- 6-1.5, 192 pound, talent had a breakout sophomore season coming up with 56 tackles, 47 solo, a fumble recovery, and three tackles for a loss. For a cornerback coming into his own, more importantly he had three interceptions and 13 passes defended quickly becoming one of the more prized defensive backs in the nation. Before his junior season began, Taylor-Stuart already had double-digit scholarship offers.

The 2016 season was another 10-3 campaign for St. Augustine making a run to the CIF Championship Game. Well-respected Saints head coach Richard Sanchez did not let his four-star talent’s abilities go to waste lining him up at wide receiver, corner, kick returner, and handed the rock off to him with great success. Taylor-Stuart ended the year with 645 yards off 69 carries with seven touchdowns sporting a pretty remarkable 9.3 yard per carry average. In the passing attack, Taylor-Stuart hauled in nine receptions for 109 yards with another score. His 4.43 speed in the 40-yard dash, verified at a Nike Regional camp in Los Angeles, was on display on kick returns where he had at least 361 yards covered off 10 attempts with 98- and 95-yard touchdowns.

Even with teams refusing to throw his way, Taylor-Stuart still had nine passes broken up and a pick while dragging down 41 ball carries with a sack and two tackles for a loss on defense. All the big plays kept college coaches coming to the yard and blowing up his Twitter account leading to 22 scholarship offers to date. The list of hopeful schools praying to land Taylor-Stuart includes Alabama, USC, UCLA, Notre Dame, Arizona, San Diego State, Washington, Utah, and Washington State, just to name a few.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Taylor-Stuart at the conclusion of his junior season to get an overview on his time on the field while getting a recruiting news update.

Interview

Isaac, you had another outstanding season on the field in 2016. At corner, did opposing quarterbacks test you out much during the 2016 season?

“Not that much. Last year, during my sophomore year, they tested me maybe five times a game. A lot of the games this year they would try once, sometimes not at all. They did not throw my way as much this year as last year.”

How did the playoffs go for the Saints?

“We had a good playoff run. We made it to the finals of CIF Championship. We were up 31-7 but they (Madison) beat us 35-31. They went on to win state.”

*St. Augustine beat Point Loma and La Costa Canyon in the playoffs

How did the playoffs go for you personally?

“I had a good run on defense. On offense, I just tried to produce yards. I had a much better playoff run this year than last year.”

Which game was your best in the playoffs?

“I’d say LCC (La Costa Canyon) was my best, on the defensive side. During the Point Loma game I had a back injury. It was terrible. It hurt when I was tackling people, I could not move as much. I came back to have my best playoff game the next game.”

What is your off-season workouts focus?

“Right now I am working to get to 205 (pounds). That is my main goal. I want to get faster. The faster I am the better it is for me at corner and on kick returns.

From our previous interview, I know you have a 4.43 posted. How much faster do you want to get?

“The time I want is 4.3 or a 4.2. Out of high school I want a 4.2. This off-season I want a low 4.3.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“Twenty-two.”

Which teams have been among the latest to offer you?

“The latest teams to offer me are Oregon, Texas A&M, Penn State, Nebraska, ASU (Arizona State), Boston College, LSU, Colorado, and CSU (Colorado State). Those are the most recent ones.”

Did you take any game day visits this season?

“Yes. I took game day visits to USC, UCLA, and SDSU (San Diego State).”

What were some of the things you learned from your visits?

“USC was the best game day visit. We went into the student section during the game. That opened my eyes. Afterwards we went into the locker room, it was a great experience. When we were on the field during the pre-game, the size difference was amazing. All the cornerbacks, receivers, and linemen are bulked up. That let me know I have to get bigger.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“In January, no. During the spring I’m taking a southeast trip to visit some schools.”

Do you know which schools yet?

“Not all of them. I’m thinking about South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. All the schools in that area. I’m trying to go to Nebraska too. I’ll take another visit to USC too.”

Are you running track this spring?

“I am.”

Which events are you planning to run?

“The 200, 400, and long jump. I want to try to do the 100 to see my time.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“3.25.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No, I have not taken them yet. I took the practice PSAT. I got a 1,300 on that.”

There are a lot of exciting bowl games coming up. Are there any you are pumped to see?

“Mainly Alabama, USC, Penn State, and Ohio State.”

Isaac, thanks for your time today and good luck with your off-season workouts.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: SDFNL Magazine; No. 5 Isaac Taylor-Stuart locks onto a receiver.

Photo credit: San Diego UT Preps; No. 5 Isaac Taylor-Stuart looks for running room.

Photo credit: Taylor-Stuart family; Isaac at USC with Adoree Jackson.