Adisa Isaac Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

School: Penn State

Class: Redshirt Senior

Position: EDGE

HT: 6’4

WT: 247 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #74

Background: Adisa Isaac was one of the best defenders in his high school class. He was a 4-star defensive end and a top 100 player. Isaac is from Brooklyn, New York, where he attended Canarsie High School. He was named the All-USA New York Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and District Defensive Player of the Year as junior. Isaac set the PSAL record for sacks in a season in his senior season. Isaac also lettered in track & field at Canarsie. Adisa Isaac committed to Penn State over Texas A&M and Alabama.

College: Isaac was used as a rotational edge rusher during his freshman season, appearing in 11 games but having a limited impact. He saw an increased role in the following season but did not quite break out. He missed all of 2021 due to an injury. 2022 was his big breakout. He earned All-Big 10 third team honors. He registered 8 quarterback hurries and 4 sacks. Adisa Isaac had a dominant 2023 season with a career high of 9 sacks on the season.

Strengths: Isaac has developed nicely as an edge rusher at Penn State. His most unique and likely his best trait is his ability to defend the run. He launches himself towards the running back and can often get to him from his spot on the edge before the ball carrier gets back to the line of scrimmage. If a running back shows any kind of hesitancy behind the line, Isaac has the burst and chase down ability to bring him down. Isaac is a polished pass rusher. He can win with both power and finesse. His pass rushing moves are versatile. He has an excellent spin move as well as an arm chop that breaks him free of the grip of offensive linemen. His explosiveness is too much for offensive tackles to handle in the phone booth and he gets them back on their heels. He dominates the leverage battle, using his hip flexibility to bend low and set the edge.

Weaknesses: Isaac’s overall size may cause him issues against the larger, more technically refined offensive tackles. He needs to learn how to consistently win without power. He struggles against double teams where he can get jammed and taken out of the play.

Conclusion: Adisa Isaac can be a difference maker in a rotational role. He will need to add more muscle in order to see the field as much as some of the premier edge rushers.

Scheme Fit: 4-3

Ideal Role: EDGE

Best Team Fits: CAR, DET, HOU

Player Comparison: Will McDonald IV

Player Grade: 79.0