The redshirt freshman running back and kick returner leads the Bulls in all-purpose yards
TAMPA, Fla. – Alvon Isaac is intrigued by how student-athletes utilize podcasts and other forms of social media to discuss sports and whatever topic is percolating on a given day. It is a space he would like to elbow his way into at some point. If he does, Isaac might want to carve out a segment or two devoted to how his listeners could make the lives of those around them a little better.
The redshirt freshman running back and communications major at USF did not move far away from his native Gainesville to attend college. When Isaac makes the two-hour drive north on I-75 to return home, he often visits recreational centers that meant so much to him as a youth. He enjoys spending time with youngsters and telling them that they, too, can attend college and be a student-athlete.
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“I try to give back because it can be kind of hard to get to the position I am in right now,” he said. “So, I am trying to give kids more motivation to keep going, keep pushing, keep finding a way. They may want to get out of the situation they or in, or the neighborhood they are in. It is about showing kids that there is a way in life for them to compete in sports or get a nice job.”
Isaac, who is thankful for the many life lessons he learned from staff members at recreational centers he spent much time at after school and during the summer months, may also want to preach the virtue of patience and making oneself better by paying attention to what is needed to improve. His time with the Bulls serves as a prime example.
Learning, working to get better
Isaac, who was a jack of all trades – running back, receiver, safety, kick returner – at Hawthorne High, about 15 miles outside Gainesville, arrived at USF last year needing to be all eyes and ears in a running back room that included three players in their final season of eligibility: Kelley Joiner, Nay’Quan Wright and Ta’Ron Keith. A way for a young player to get on the field and build confidence is to work with the special teams units.
“If you can get on special teams, have success on special teams and build confidence before you ever play offense or defense,” said Golesh, on a young player’s path to more playing time. “If you throw guys in (to their positions) too early, and it doesn’t go really well, it kills their confidence. Sometimes it takes a year or two to actually get back. ‘Von’ did a ton for us on special teams last year.”
Isaac, who played in four games last season and excelled on the practice field, spent the winter and spring adding muscle and weight to his 5-foot-9 frame. In addition to working with strength and conditioning coach George Courides, he spent time with running backs coach Micah James in improving his game toting the pigskin.
“I wanted to be more mature with decision making and getting bigger, stronger and faster,” said Isaac, whose offseason diligence also included a nutrition plan to fuel a 20-plus pound increase to 185. “I cracked down on watching film, things like pre-snap reads and what the defense gives. I feel that doing a lot of film study helped with my IQ of the game.”
It all paid off in significant playing time through the first two weeks this season, including being the primary kick returner. The results of his on- and off-field work were evident in a familiar place last week.
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Homecoming to remember
Isaac grew up “a five- or six-minute walk” from the Swamp. Hence, one can only imagine how excited he was to play the Gators last week in front of several family members.
“I had been wanting to play in the Swamp since I was little,” he said. “Before the game, like weeks before the game, I was anxious and eager to get out there and show my ability.”
He showed plenty of ability in totaling 136 all-purpose yards. With the Bulls driving toward Nico Gramatica’s game-winning field goal, Isaac took a dump-off from quarterback Byrum Brown and, with the help of a JeyQuan Smith block, raced 29 yards up the right sideline to the Florida 32. It was a pivotal play in the 18-16 win.
“I was really focused on my process all week and was so eager and so excited to get up there and play,” he said.
Isaac heads into Saturday’s game at No. 5/6 Miami (4:30, The CW Network) with a team leading 203 all-purpose yards through two weeks.
“He has grown up so much from the time that he got here,” said offensive coordinator, Joel Gordon. “He has a process and he works at it. He wants to be a good. He is elusive, has good vision and is hard to tackle. He has made some big plays and needs to keep his foot on the gas. I am fired up for him.”
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