Penn State end Adisa Isaac talks 2021 injury, excitement for 2022 season
STATE COLLEGE — Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac said he was training to get better last summer when he felt something he never had before.
The now fourth-year Nittany Lion said he hoped for the best but feared the worst. It ended up being the latter, as he later learned that he had torn his Achilles tendon.
Isaac ended up missing all of the 2021 season. He used that time to not only heal but also reflect on what football means to him. The pain of sitting out will now fuel the Nittany Lion this fall.
“I have never been injured or had a major injury, so getting accustomed to this new lifestyle and having to rehab and having to just use more mental than physical,” Isaac said. “Once I got adjusted it made me stronger in the end.”
Penn State has high hopes for Isaac in 2022
Some players have reported feeling isolated or lonely while rehabbing from an injury. By staying close to his Penn State teammates, Isaac said he never felt that way.
He was back in action for winter workouts earlier this year and then spring ball. He was held out of the live periods during Saturday’s Blue-White game. But, the fact that he was on the field at all was a major win for a Lions program that must replace both defensive line starters from a year ago.
“It feels good to be back, just moving around with the team, with the new team, so it feels good,” Isaac said.
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“To be honest, I’m still getting my feet underneath me. But, I’m definitely progressing at a good pace. So, I feel good where I’m at right now. In summer, I’ll take it to a whole other level. So, I feel good where I’m at right now for spring.”
Added head coach James Franklin:
“Defensive line, just having Adisa [Isaac] back. We felt like he had a chance to be a really special player and then missed last year. So having him back, it’s great to see that athleticism coming off of the edge.”
More: Penn State football news and views: Stage set for summer
Isaac figures to start come September and the opener with Purdue. He is explosive and has a quick twitch off the edge that could make him a star in the Big Ten. Before all that happens, however, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native must continue to take small steps toward being the well-rounded, dominating player he’s capable of being. That starts with being fully healthy, and he’s almost there.
“Summer is big for me,” Isaac said. I’m trying to like get my feet back under me and be better than I was before. It’s huge for me to come back for the season.”
