Interview: The Move from Hawaii to Vegas Paying Off for Bishop Gorman OT Jacob Isaia

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There are different types of football players that for whatever reason immediately attract a spectator’s eye. The spotlight always starts with talent but the drive and determination of the guy putting it all out on the line stays with everyone watching beyond the game. Jacob Isaia has had all of that going for him since his sophomore season with building momentum.

There are very few prospects who can claim to what Isaia accomplished during the 2015 season. The Honolulu area native secured a varsity starting spot at left tackle coming in at 6-3, 235 pounds with Iolani High School. Even then college scouts knew there was something special that could be in the works with Isaia. Teams like UCLA, Hawaii, and Washington were keeping an eye out on him.

The rising sophomore was ahead of the curve in the weight room benching 315 and squatting 405 while posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.9.

In the off-season Isaia made a big move on several levels leaving the comforts of Hawaii for Las Vegas joining one of the more storied high school football programs over the past decade in Bishop Gorman.

Since 2009 the Gaels have won seven consecutive Nevada state championships and lay claim to back-to-back USA Today High School National Championships (2014-15). Bishop Gorman started the season ranked No. 3 by MaxPreps but after a convincing 44-14 road win against Cedar Hill High School (Texas), the Gaels currently occupy the top spot in both the MaxPreps and USA Today rankings.

All Isaia has done since transferring to Bishop Gorman is add 25 pounds to his frame and win the starting right tackle spot at one of the best high school football teams in the nation as a junior.

The list of colleges showing interest in the Class of 2018 rising star is growing. Michigan, Michigan State, USC, UNLV, Washington State, and Utah are all curious especially after BYU was the first to offer Isaia on July 12.

Isaia has not taken the early part of the recruiting process lightly with unofficial visits to Michigan State, Ohio State, Utah, San Diego State, UNLV, Boise State, UCLA, USC, Washington, and Washington State. Isaia has ties to Michigan State where his grandfather and uncle played and has ties to UCLA where his dad defensive line and offensive line for the Bruins before playing for the Ravens and Patriots.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with Isaia after the Gaels handled Cedar Hill to get an update on his off-season, the Gaels 2016 schedule, and a recruiting news update.

Interview

Jacob, you’ve made a lot of headway since joining Bishop Gorman. One of the things that jumps out at me is the added weight. How did you add all of that weight over the summer?

“First and foremost I have to give thanks to our strength coach, Coach May. He has helped me get on a really good weight program. I am eating a certain kind of protein and complex carbs. I drink a special shake provided at Gorman. But really I just had to go out and eat more.”

How are you moving with the added weight?

“I’m doing my best. I can tell I have gotten a little bit slower, I’m not going to lie. The coaches like where I am at right now.”

Have you maxed out lately in the weight room?

“All of my maxes are still pretty much the same. I’m power cleaning 275 now.”

Over the summer did you go to any college camps?

“I went to some camps as an observer and talked to coaches at the camps.”

Which camps did you attend as an observer?

“Michigan, I met some of the Michigan coaches again, UH (Hawaii), and Louisville.”

How did the BYU offer come to you?

“It was kind of a shock really. I was not expecting BYU to offer me before my first game. They were very silent on social media. They came to our spring ball practices and watched us. That was the only time I made contact with them.”

What other schools are showing interest in you right now that you know of?

“Nebraska and Michigan State – because my grandfather played there (Bob Apisa). We have a lot of family ties back to Michigan. My mom is from there. Florida State is another big school that I have received mail from lately. Actually they were one of the first schools to send mail to me. I get mail from Washington, UCLA, USC, Washington State, and Utah.”

By the way, congrats on winning the starting right tackle spot at Gorman.

“Thank you.”

What have you been working on throughout the summer to prepare for the 2016 season?

“Mainly my footwork. I’ve been working on speed and working on a lot of technique that Gorman teaches. We’ve been practicing against different fronts and defenses. I’ve been learning the plays and the rules of the plays all summer.”

You guys set a tone in your opening win against Cedar Hill. It looked impressive to watch but in your opinion how does the team look right now?

“I think we are a solid unit. We work well together. The game on Saturday showed a lot of improvement. We all were talking and communicating with each other. Tate (Martell – 2017 Ohio State commit), our quarterback, he helped us out too. He was telling us if the safety was coming and would audible out of plays. Our communication is great and we really improved during that game. There were a lot of ups and downs on both sides. We pumped each other up with great plays throughout the game and kept going.”

You guys have a couple of big time games left on the schedule. Are there any games you are personally excited to play?

“Kahuku (HI) in Week 4. That’s the game I am excited for. There are 20,000 fans coming for the game. We know Kahuku is going to bring it. They will sell it out.”

Are there any other games you are pumped to play?

“All the games on the schedule will be really good games. We play against a lot of good teams. I am treating it as we are playing against a ranked team each week. I’m going hard each week. We are not taking it easy on anyone.”

Is there anything coming up that has caught your interest?

“I’m excited to start talking to coaches on Sept. 1.”

Get ready to start fielding some phone calls.

(Laughs) “Yeah, they can start calling, giving pointers, and answering questions I may have about their school. We can really talk about what we need to talk about. I’m really excited to start that part of the recruiting process.”

Jacob, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Isaia family; No. 75 Jacob Isaia with No. 78 Christian Martinez and No. 73 Adrian Dupuis

Photo credit: Isaia family; No. 75 Jacob Isaia with No. 8 Adam Plant Jr. and No. 30 Jeff Ulofoshio