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| Joliet (IL) Catholic running back Ty Isaac (#32) |
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 215 lbs.
Class: 2013
Position: Running back
School: Joliet (IL) Catholic
Notes: Holds offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Purdue, Tennessee, Toledo, USC, Vanderbilt, Washington, and Wisconsin . . . As a junior in 2011, rushed 178 times for 2,114 times and 45 touchdowns . . . Caught 16 passes for 360 yards and 7 touchdowns . . . As a sophomore in 2010, rushed for 650 yards and 7 touchdowns . . . As a freshman in 2009, rushed for 675 yards and 6 touchdowns . . . ESPN 4-star RB . . . Rivals 4-star RB, #18 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star RB, 96 grade, #4 RB, #28 overall . . .
Strengths: Very good speed for a kid his size . . . Has clearly worked on running form to maximize speed . . . Very smooth runner in the open field who will be tough to track down from behind . . . Good vision . . . Knows how to set up blocks, when to follow blockers, and when to explode through hole . . . Naturally lowers hips to maximize cutting ability . . . Lowers pad level well when he sees contact coming . . . Good receiver . . . Catches ball away from body and high points the ball . . . Shows good hustle all the way through the play
Weaknesses: Not a particularly tough runner . . . Needs to improve lower body strength and leg drive . . . Goes down too easily when being tackled from side or behind . . . Probably needs to add 20 lbs. to be an effective power runner
Projection: Running back. Isaac has all the tools to be a successful college running back. There's a reason many big-time schools are after him . . . but he plays against poor competition, so his high school statistics and highlights should be taken with a grain of salt. The high school players he's playing against are overmatched, and it's not because Isaac is superhuman. I have heard many concerns that he runs too high, but I don't see that as being a problem. He does have a very upright running motion, but that's typically only when he gets in the open field and is running away from 5'8", 150 lb. defensive backs; when he's in traffic, he does a good job of running behind his pads. I also have some concerns that in his misdirection, east-west high school offense, he might struggle to adjust to running from the I-formation and getting downhill immediately in college. He takes advantage of a lot of overpursuing linebackers to get into cutback lanes, but that flow might not be there at the next level. As Isaac grows and turns into a 235 lb. tailback, he seems to have a good future, especially if he runs behind a powerful offensive line like Michigan's that can get him to the second and third level against smaller, sometimes slower players.
Reminds me of: Eddie George
For high definition highlights, click here or watch the low def ones below:
I know he wasn't first on your wish list, but from this, am I right in assuming you would not be disappointed if he ended up as the commit?
ReplyDeleteWell, a couple guys that I would rank above him (Ford, Tenpenny) have gone elsewhere, and Davis is a longshot. I wouldn't be disappointed in the sense that he's not a good player, but there are just other guys I would have preferred.
DeleteI was just watching his highlights (for the billionth time) and wondering, what kind of offense would maximize his cutting ability? Don't know much about running schemes, so I wish you could shed some light on this. Would there be a particular offensive philosophy that would focus more on backcuts, maybe like the one the Denver Broncos used when they had Terrell Davis? Or is it just a matter of emphasis?
ReplyDeleteI do think he would fit in well as a zone runner, such as the Denver Broncos. He could have also been a good for a zone read option team, like we had under Rodriguez. I think he might struggle with iso blocking, because he's a little indecisive. But if Michigan pulls some linemen and gets linebackers to flow over the top and make bad decisions, then I think Isaac can take advantage of that.
DeleteIsaac stills scares me a bit. You just don't see him breaking tackles or putting his head down much. It's cut, cut, cut.
ReplyDeleteI agree somewhat...but if you were that much better than your competition, you'd probably do the same. Think about it. When you were a high school senior playing basketball or football against your seventh grade cousin, did you run through him or back him down in the post when playing around? Or did you show off your [mediocre] ball handling skills or stutter step around him because he was so much slower? Isaac doesn't NEED to break many tackles, because the kids he's playing against aren't good football players.
DeleteI see what you're saying and I agree. It just scares me that a kid is going to get used to playing like that and never adjust to needing to be more physical.
DeleteHearing that USC is going to put on a show of shows and really hard press for him this weekend. Have an inlaw inside the fort. They believe he is the next USC elite RB and they are going to pull out every stop imaginable .... all within the rules of course : ) Let's just say that USC will really put LA and the school, image, and visability on prominent display.
ReplyDeleteWho would be better for us Thunder: Smith or Isaac? I'll even throw Shallman in there for good measure. Order of who you'd want?
ReplyDelete1. Isaac
Delete2. Smith
3. Shallman
Thunder, who do you like better Issac or De'veon Smith? And who fits UM's offense better?
ReplyDeleteI think Smith fits the I-formation/power offense better, but Isaac would be better in a spread/zone running system.
DeleteIt will be interesting. Many things are interesting in this recruitment. Does Smith take his spot before Ty even decides, thus making Ty'd decision easier? Does Mich tell Smith to hold off, thus most likely losing him if Smith wants to commit? Does Mich not only tell Smith to hold off, then lose Ty to USC/ND ...etc, then come back to Smith and its too late, he is PSU/OSU bound? etc....
ReplyDeleteIf Smith wants to commit this weekend, YOU TAKE HIM BRADY HOKE!!! Thats my opinion and im sticking with it :)
It seems the third team in Smith's recruitment is Pitt, not PSU.
DeleteThunder - get your prioritizations above but it seems that M wants to go to a 2 back system (i read that as not a FB/RB but "2" backs) that would be in most plays but moved around. Would you say Isaac,Smith are the "same" type of back and Shallman the other?
ReplyDeleteSmith and Shallman are more similar (power backs) than Isaac and Smith, I think.
DeleteI find it very interesting that the spread/zone-running system fits Isaac better. There have been reports that he wants to be in a pro-style offense.
ReplyDeleteHe's very much a kid who wants to make it to the pros, so that makes sense.
DeleteI still want Smith. Get him up to 225, with his 5'11" frame, a kid who's already accustomed to physical power-running...Sometimes you can't rely on the O-line to blow wide open holes: the RB has to power through defenders. Laveon Bell for MSU is a heck of a runner. Much of the reason for that is that he's so darned physical.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the analysis! Was there any info in the film that shows his pass catching ability? Or potential to pick up blitzes? Id assume his size would help in those areas no?
ReplyDeleteHe's a pretty good pass receiver and makes a few nice catches. There really aren't any highlights of his blocking abilities, but yes, his size should be an advantage if he has the willingness to do it.
DeleteThere is some nice film out there somewhere with Isaac in a t shirt and shorts demonstrating some pretty nice hands and some coaching. He reaches and plucks the ball out of the air with a lot of confidence. I've seen it a couple times now so it shouldn't be too tough to find.
DeleteI always appreciate your analyses and insights. But what is the deal with the use of all the distracting ellipses? Come on man! The next step is one sentence paragraphs. Then chaos.
ReplyDeleteIf you have suggestions to make it better, let me know. I thought about bullet points, but I think that would make the posts too long.
DeleteI guess the only thing I would suggest is plain ol' regular sentences. But you could use several semi-colons in the place of the ellipes to break up parts of a list, such as the following:
DeleteStrengths: Very good speed for his size; has improved running form to maximize speed; very smooth runner in the open field, making him tough to track down from behind; vision; knows how to set up blocks, when to follow blockers, and when to explode through hole; naturally lowers hips to maximize cutting ability; lowers pad level well when he sees contact coming; good receiver in that he catches the ball away from body and high points the ball; shows good hustle all the way through the play.
Perhaps a little better - but I see what you mean now; no type of form is perfect.
Is it me or does it seem the backs we are recruiting are a bit different from the mold of Fitzgerald Toussaint? Obviously the offense has changed, but given his success last year and your accurate prediction of Fitz, would you rather we get a commit from a back like Fitz somewhere down the line?
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of Toussaint. I prefer the backs who are 5'11" or 6'0", powerfully built, and with some speed. I'm not a huge fan of the tall, lanky guys or the 5'6", 170 lb. guys. That's why Justin Davis and Keith Ford were toward the top of my wish list.
DeleteGot it, thanks.
Delete