UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Redshirt senior defensive end Adisa Isaac joined the Penn State family early in the spring semester of 2019 and became one of the only early enrollees on the defensive line. It was then Isaac learned what it means to be a leader.
Isaac was voted a team captain in 2023, five years after he began developing crucial leadership skills from a core of Nittany Lions like Odafe Oweh, Antonio Shelton and Shaka Toney, who Isaac called, "a big brother."
Isaac now carries the lessons he learned from that group into his own captaincy, where he is now sharing his knowledge and experience to the younger players. The Brooklyn, New York, native never imagined he would be recognized as a captain and appreciates the respect from his teammates.
"It means a lot," Isaac said. "I could have never told you this was gonna happen. I'm just excited that my teammates look at me in such high regard and I just wanna make sure I'm holding up that end of the bargain."
Isaac's three non-verbal siblings have taught him key lessons off the field and have been a dynamic influence to his development as a leader. The Canarsie High School product is one of the longest tenured Nittany Lions on the roster but it's never been an easy road.
On the field, Isaac missed all of 2021 with an injury. He bounced back in a big way in 2022 to garner All-Big Ten third-team honors. Isaac possesses a unique ability to completely change the complexity of a game and he put that on full display last season, ranking first on the team with 11 tackles for loss.
Isaac and junior defensive end Chop Robinson quickly developed a formidable force on the edge as the former tallied four sacks in 2022. Isaac isn't reading into his past success and is continuing to grow as a leader by using his voice in the right way to make an impact.
"I'm just trying to be more vocal, standing up in front of the room a lot more," Isaac said. "I'm just doing what I've been doing, pulling guys off to the side, giving them tips or telling them when they're doing something wrong. Just being that big brother to everybody and trying to make it in a way that I'm not criticizing nobody but just looking out for everybody and their best interests."
Isaac's experiences through triumph and tribulation allowed him to find his voice as a season off from football created a situation for Isaac to see the game through a different lens. The speedy and agile defensive end always carries a special way of encouraging anyone on the defensive side of the ball.
Leading by example with an infectious level of energy and charisma, Isaac outlined how he never hesitates to help his teammates in any way he can. For head coach James Franklin, Isaac's ability to lead with maturity has been a key strength during his tenure as a captain.
"He just came in very mature, very prepared, very steady and I've been impressed with him," Franklin said. "He continues to develop as a football player. He's had some injuries he's had to overcome. Obviously, he was voted as a captain so he's universally respected and I think as this year goes on, you're going to see him continue to get more production and make more plays for us, especially depending on the offenses we play."
Junior linebacker Curtis Jacobs and Isaac enter their fourth season working alongside one another. Their impact has been felt on the program since day one and they've each cultivated a culture in their respective position groups.
Jacobs ranked third on the team in tackles a season ago and watches daily how Isaac can cause havoc in the backfield. The Glen Burnie, Maryland, product shared how Isaac's role as a leader orchestrated a "major turnaround" in the defensive line group and indicated how Isaac's had an influence on him.
"He means a lot to me," Jacobs said. "That's my teammate, that's my brother and that's just a guy you wouldn't want to let down. That's why he's a captain."
