Draped with offers from
schools holding prestigious football traditions such as the University of Georgia,
the Ohio State University, and the University of Oklahoma, in addition to many
more, Joliet Catholic running back Ty Isaac has decided that next season he is
going to take his talents to Los Angeles and play for the renowned Trojans of the
University of Southern California.
“After
my first visit, I kind of had my mind made up. I just had to wait for my family
to come out and visit with me and see what their [opinion] was on everything,”
says Isaac. Adding, “It’s a really good group of guys [on the team]; they play
hard. I’m excited to get out there.”
At
6’3”, 217 pounds and one of the top running backs in the nation, Isaac has
played at the varsity level for the Hilltoppers and head coach Dan Sharp since
his freshmen year.
"We know Ty is a great football player. The impact [he] has made on our team
and school community goes way beyond his
talent. Ty is a great leader and has a strong
competitive spirit to be the best. This is contagious; Ty makes everyone around him better,” says Sharp.
His
most successful year coming as a junior, Isaac rushed for 2,114 yards with 45
touchdowns in addition to a state record breaking 515 yards with six touchdowns
in the team’s loss to Montini in the 2011 state championship. Resulting from
his unbelievable season, Isaac was named the 2011 Chicago Sun-Times Player of
the Year and the ESPNChicago.com Offensive Player of the Year.
Although
Isaac hasn’t had as much playing time this season as in the past due to a
shoulder injury that he suffered during the season opener against Providence
Catholic, he has rushed for a total of 799 yards with ten touchdowns and is
hoping to add on to these totals in the playoffs.
As
a player, Ty doesn’t “categorize [himself] as anything,” saying, “I just try to
do what I need to help the team out.” Personally, Isaac says that he brings to
the Hilltoppers “a winning attitude and leadership.”
He
has had an obviously impressive high school career, but what made it all come
together for Ty Isaac? How did he become the special competitor that he is
today?
Ty began his football career when he was just six years
old as a center in Joliet’s public league. Transitioning to a running back
after his first year, he continued in the league through eighth grade.
“I always wanted [to be] a running back. [That’s what] my dad played. The first year I
wanted to it didn’t work out, but ever since then I’ve been playing.”
Ty
had done well during his fifth through eighth grade seasons. However, when the
time came for the rankings of the class of 2013, it was evident that Ty was
something special.
“After
they did the first rankings for our class going into freshmen year, I made the
top one hundred. That was when it was like okay maybe you’re really good.”
Ty
says that his family has been his biggest support system throughout his life
and football career.
“They’ve
impacted all of the decisions that I’ve made, my work ethic, and the way I
play.”
Ty
adds that his coaches have also always been there to support and help him with
many of his decisions in addition to building on the work ethic that has been
structured by his family.
As
for his future coaching staff at USC, Ty has a “good relationship with them,
and hopefully can build on it more once [he gets] out there.”
Ty
recently had a discussion with a Trojan coach about the number that he will
wear next season. Ty is number 32 at Joliet Catholic; the number he has worn
for the majority of his life and also the number that his dad wore. Though, in
honor of former USC star O.J. Simpson, the number is retired.
“I
actually talked to the coach the other day. I want to wear number four when I’m
there because I wore that my freshmen and sophomore years. If I can’t get four,
I want to wear 2. So, we’ll see what happens.”
We’ll
see what happens for sure. That is with the future of Ty Isaac and football.
One thing is for sure, he has set himself up for a successful future with USC
football and possibly even further than that.
In
addition to cheering on the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bulls, Ty’s
plans for this offseason include working out and just getting better.
“I
think, collectively, my whole game could be a lot better. It’s just going to
take time to really pin point what acutely needs to be worked on, but we’ll
figure it out and work harder.”
When
asked about whether or not he ever feels any pressure on the field having the
reputation that he does as an athlete, Ty simply responds, “No, but at the same
time if you can’t play with pressure, you’re probably not very good.”
