Former Penn State, Canarsie HS Football Standout Adisa Isaac Feeling the NFL Draft

If you ever had an opportunity to speak to former Canarsie High School (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and ex-Penn State football defensive end Adisa Isaac, humility might be the word you use to describe him.

But the talented Isaac, who made 24 tackles, had eight sacks and one forced fumble with the Nittany Lions in 2023, is on the cusp of having an NFL team call his name during the 2024 Draft in Detroit, Mich., on April 25th to April 27th.

In fact, NFL draft projections have Isacc going anywhere from the second- to third-round of the draft, according to SportsIllustrated.com.

Furthermore, his stock has risen after he enjoyed a solid week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., so things are looking up for the Brooklyn native.

Please check out Isaac’s action from the 2024 NFL Combine: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/oA4MrajkBrDAjTBC/?mibextid=oFDknk

Considering that he did not play organized football until he was a high school freshman, it is nothing short of remarkable. But Isaac is taking the entire draft process all in stride.

“It’s kind of a thrill,” Isaac said of the possibility of being selected in the upcoming NFL Draft.” I never thought it was a possibility. I’m taking it day by day. I’m training, getting      in the best shape possible. You can’t be too picky, to be honest. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing. But I obviously want to get drafted as high as possible.”

Of course, there is room for gridiron growth for the 22-year-old 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge rusher with a high ceiling. But Isaac is no stranger to hard work and dedication. Plus, his owns elite athleticism and a high coachability factor that could help him grace an NFL gridiron in the near future.

“All this (NFL attention) didn’t happen overnight,” Isaac said. “All my coaches at Canarsie saw my potential before I did. I just listened and took it all in. God blessed me with height, but I put the work in to get better.”

Plus, he deployed a never-give-up, never-surrender attitude, which came in to play when he tore his Achilles tendon, forcing him to miss the entire 2021 NCAA Division-I football season.

“If you think that way, why play the sport,” Isaac said of the positive mindset he used to rehabilitate his way back to health and productivity during his injury. “I put my best foot forward and got healthier and better at football.”

Before Isaac took up football, however, basketball and wrestling were the sports that captured his attention. But football won out in the end.

“My mom didn’t shy me away from anything,” he explained. “I did wrestling in middle school. I also played varsity basketball for three years. High school was the time I slipped into football. I always wanted to play football. All my coaches at Canarsie saw my potential before I ever did. I just listed (to the coaches) and took it all in every chance that i got.”

For three years, former Canarsie football coach Kyle Allen and the rest of the coaching staff, including assistant Christopher Sino, who also serves in the same capacity under Allen at August Martin High School in Queens, groomed Isaac to be his best on the field and in the classroom. What came to fruition is a person who earned a valuable education at Penn State and is preparing to fulfill his NFL dream come April.

“Words cannot describe how proud I am, how proud everyone in my house is and his mom is of him,” Allen said. “He took the words and the process we taught him and ran with it.

“My job was to put him in position to get him to the people who could get him to where he wanted to (eventually) go,” he continued. “Penn State did that. We always say he’s family. To help shape him into who he is now feels good. It’s gratifying for all of us.”

As for waiting for Draft Day to arrive, Isaac admitted to being a little anxious. But who could blame him? It is the NFL, for that matter, and how many athletes can say that they have a legitimate shot at playing at the big time?

“It’s getting closer to the Draft,” Isaac said. “I’m kind of itching for it. But I’m not changing anything that I’m doing. Why change it? It got me this far. I’m just thankful for having this opportunity.”

— Jerry Del Priore