2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Adisa Isaac, an edge rusher out of Penn State. He is from Brooklyn, NY, and was a 4-star recruit from Canarsie High School.
Isaac spent his entire collegiate career as a member of the Penn State Nittany Lions. It began as a freshman in 2019 where he appeared in only 6 games. He totaled 4 solo tackles, 10 assists, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in limited playing time. In 2020 as a sophomore he would again play as a part-time player and appeared in 8 games. He racked up 5 solo tackles, 8 assists, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
His entire 2021 season was lost due to a torn Achilles and didn’t see him appear in a single game.
He returned in 2022 to be a full-time starter and appeared in 13 games. He piled up 15 solo tackles, 13 assists, 11 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks and showed potential in his first crack as a main contributor on the Penn State defense.
His final collegiate season came as a senior in 2023 where he appeared in 13 games. He set career highs in his final season and racked up 23 solo tackles, 14 assists, 16 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 forced fumble.
Measurables
Height: 6’4” (54th-percentile)
Weight: 250 lbs (11th-percentile)
Age: 22.4
Class: Senior
NCAA Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2019 | Penn State | Big Ten | FR | DE | 6 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 2020 | Penn State | Big Ten | SO | DE | 8 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2021 | Penn State | Big Ten | JR | DE | |||||||||||||||
| *2022 | Penn State | Big Ten | JR | 13 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 11.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| *2023 | Penn State | Big Ten | SR | DE | 13 | 23 | 14 | 37 | 16.0 | 7.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Career | Penn State | 47 | 45 | 92 | 31.5 | 14.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- He is great in both 2-point and 3-point stances and is extremely versatile.
- Has elite hand usage and a great two-hand swipe move.
- He executes stunts at an elite level.
- Possesses a powerful frame and is difficult to move off the line.
Weaknesses
- Has a poor anchor and technique against the run and is a below-average run-stopper.
- He struggles at times with pass-rushing due to hand placement and technique.
- Is stiff in the hips and lower body and that is a major contributor to his struggles as a pass rusher
- He leaves his assignments too often and needs to work on discipline.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Late Round 2
Ideal Landing Spot: Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles imploded on defense in the second half of the 2023 season and could use a defender of Isaac’s potential. He is a developmental player and is not pro-ready, but if he can refine his game he could be a major asset to the Eagles.
Isaac may slip into the third round and if he did, he would be an even greater value to the Eagles, although a team may fall in love with his obvious upside and jump the gun on him in the second round.
