Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac makes call on playing in Peach Bowl
STATE COLLEGE — Penn State redshirt senior Adisa Isaac has determined the next steps along his football journey. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native will play in the Peach Bowl when the No. 10 Nittany Lions face No. 11 Ole Miss on Dec. 30 in Atlanta.
“You start something, you got to finish it,” Isaac said. “That’s kind of how I think about it. And I’m a captain for Penn State. So, I feel like as a leader, the right thing to do is to stay with the guys from start to finish.
“I feel like it’s just good to finish on what I started. Leaving now just wouldn’t sit right with me. I feel like we still had a good season this year and it’s only right to finish on a good note.”
Whether or not he is then off to the NFL Draft, however likely that may be, is not something he wanted to discuss on Friday here at local bowl media day at Beaver Stadium. He said he has not yet made a decision on that.
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Isaac’s likely last season in State College was his best one. He led the Lions in defensive end snaps and finished with a team-high 15 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He also recorded a fumble recovery, forced fumble, four quarterback hurries and 35 total stops.
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What is Penn State end Adisa Isaac’s NFL Draft stock?
Fellow starting defensive end Chop Robinson announced on Dec. 5 that he would sit out of the Peach Bowl and move on to draft prep. He could be a first-round pick. And, he’ll be off the board early on Day 2 if not. Isaac’s outlook is not as clear, however. After missing all of the 2021 season due to an Achilles injury, Isaac rounded back into form over time in 2022. He was a third-team All-Big Ten honors after leading the Lions with 11 tackles for loss while also totaling four sacks, eight quarterback hurries, and 28 total stops. He should test well at the NFL Combine. Which, if teams are happy about his medical reports (and all signs suggest they should be), could boost the Penn State defensive end’s NFL Draft stock considerably.
As of the first week of December, ESPN’s Jordan Reid called Isaac the eight-best edge rusher in this year’s Draft class (Robinson was No. 7). The outlet’s Matt Miller had Isaac at No. 7 and Robinson at No. 6. More will be known about Isaac’s draft possibilities as the pre-draft process starts in earnest later in January. But, as of now, he stock seemingly has a great chance to soar before April. We will also be curious to see if either or both players are invited to the prestigious Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. It is often a proving grounds for players who are looking to jump in the rankings, as well.
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