Michigan football target Ty Isaac, a five-star running back, chooses USC over the Wolverines
The Michigan football program's top-ranked 2013 recruiting class had a shot to get even better Tuesday.
But it came up just short.
Five-star running back Ty Isaac from Joliet (Ill.) Catholic Academy, offered his commitment to USC, according to his personal Twitter account.
Isaac reportedly had USC, Notre Dame and Michigan in his final three.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Isaac is rated the top running back in the 2013 class by Scout.com, and is the No. 2 running back according to Rivals.com.
In an interview with Scout.com's Allen Trieu, Isaac explained his decision.
"Honestly, Saturday or Sunday, I kind of woke up and knew," Isaac told Scout. "I ran through every scenario in my head and thought about it all and I was just like, football is supposed to be what it's going to be.
"As long as I do what I know I need to do, that's going to take care of itself. When I laid down and thought about where I saw myself being in school outside of football, it was SC."
Brady Hoke currently has 18 commitments for the 2013 class, a group that is rated No. 1 overall nationally by Scout.com.
Michigan presently has one running back in that class, four-star prospect DeVeon Smith (5-11, 210) from Howland (Ohio) High School.
Smith is rated as the 32nd-best running back in the country by Rivals.com.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
SMC
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3:29 a.m.
Maybe the kid just wanted to win a rivalry game once in a while....
Hookemhorn
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.
Yep, the Spartys should know all about that! After getting rolled by Michigan six years in a row, they finally got a few against the worst teams in Michigan's history. Great accomplishment!
ted
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3:18 a.m.
One thing I can say though...is that maybe he will decide to de-commit from USC. There is plenty of time. Michigan's season may be a factor. If they can beat Alabama that mayb change the view of many recruits.
81wolverine
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 6:26 p.m.
Now you're talking. All it will take is another scandal coming out of USC, a position coach leaving there, or his Mom having a change of heart about him playing so far away. You better believe Hoke won't give him up yet.
umgoblue47
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3:26 a.m.
you do make a good point!! but coach HOKE is not going to wait around to find out. if he can land GREEN he won't take another RB in this class and there might not be anymore room in this class by then. GO BLUE!!!!!!
umgoblue47
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3:17 a.m.
disappointed we did not get TY ISAAC, he would really have made this class even more special! but DERRICK GREEN is also a MONSTER and a good fit for MICHIGAN's offense!! o$u also want's this kid so come on coach HOKE do your magic. . . GO BLUE!!!!!!
Jarhead
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:09 a.m.
Ted I get your fear that you think we are understarred and slow. But I have to point out that Alabama isn't loaded with 5 stars at skill positions. Even according to Rivals which you refer to, Alabama for 2012 and 2013 has four 5 stars so far, an Athlete, RB, MLB and a Safety. Now Scout says the 5 stars are a WR, 2 MLB's and a Safety. Alabama also has a non-rated LB. Rivals says that for the same 2 years USC has five 5 stars, QB, WR, DE, and 2 OL men. Scout says four 5 stars, RB, QB, DT, and a Safety. Funny thing is Rivals didn't even give Isaac a 5 star on their site yet call him the number 2 RB in the nation? One point is they only give out so many 5 stars and that the five stars are really the lucky 4 stars who got chosen. And as I always ask "WHO is doing the choosing?" And what was Mike Hart? 5/8, 5/9 3 star? Who better would you have run for Michigan during those years. No he wasn't no speedster but he moved the chains and protected the ball. Lets not forget that the 2012 recruits are Brady's first class and so there are more 3 stars than 2013. As much as I wanted the spread to work for us, all is not apocalyptic for the wolves in the future.
Jarhead
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 10:10 a.m.
2010? And who was recruting for Mich in 2010?
ted
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:55 a.m.
Now that is what elite level skill position recruiting looks like !!! No way we can compete with these guys on the field with 3 star leftovers .
ted
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:53 a.m.
USC 2010... WR three 5 stars, RB 2 4 stars & one 5 star 2011...WR three 4 stars & one 5 star, RB one 4 star 2012... WR one 4 star & one 5 star, RB one 3 star (oh my gosh ! ) 2013... WR one 4 star RB one (soon to be) 5 star
ted
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:44 a.m.
Alabama 2010..WR two 4 stars, RB one 4 star 2011.. WR three 4 stars, rb one 5 star 2012..WR two 4 stars, RB one 4 star & one 5 star 2013 WR one 4 star, RB one (soon to be) 5 star.
ted
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:33 a.m.
What could have been if they had an elite ?
ted
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:33 a.m.
An elite running back would have done a lot better than Mike Hart. Especially the offensive line he ran behind. He was a very good running back, but he wasn't great. He never broke long runs and fast defenses shut him down. His 3 star rating was accurate.
saintd
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 12:49 a.m.
let's talk michigan men.
Matt Patercsak
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 12:37 a.m.
I'm content with DeVeon Smith. He will likely be better than the other RB we commit. I've preferred Smith from the beginning. Isaac is great tho, he'll do well at USC
ted
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 1:59 a.m.
Really ? what are you going to get with Smith ? He will never break the long runs. He will get caught from behind.
observer
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 12:26 a.m.
they don't seem to so well when they go up against the big boys.......
Hailmary
Thu, May 17, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
This new crew of coaches just got on board. If my memory serves me I believe Brady and staff got a late start on recruiting their first year. I believe they recruited well if not darn right great for 2012 all things considered and a lot of recruits around the country are showing a keen interest in Mich. for 2013 and yes, I know 2013 is all verbal at this point but it's the solid talent and interest from around the country that I'm talking about. Look, Mich. is not going to fashion it's self after Oregon at least not in the forseeable future. If you naysayers will support our present staff and team, I would imagine you'll enjoy the coming year much more so than constantly criticizing every little thing and then some. Relax, when the season starts, grab a beer, have a steak or hot dog, kiss your wife or girlfriend and enjoy our great Wolverines because I'll guarantee you that they will do their best to entertain you and win the game.
ted
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.
No they don't . Sad part of it is, nothing has changed from the Loyd Carr era. I was hoping there would be a break-through with a new Michigan football program that even the elites now wanted to play for them. Unfortunately that hope has died off and we can now see that the song remains the same.
happyguy1
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 9:34 p.m.
Can't get 'em all. Truthfully, it would have been nice to have Isaac, but the reality of recruiting is that NO school gets every player they want. We're doing fine (contrary to what any naysayers on the board who seem to lack a firm grip on reality think). Currently, we have (according to Scout) 3 five star players. That happens to be the same number that USC currently has. That is not bad by a long shot. I have to chuckle sometimes when I read the negative comments posted on these boards. The funny thing is that I believe the poster(s) honestly think we can't see their scarlet and grey or green and yellow peeking out from behind of their poorly painted on block M. At any rate, Michigan is continuing to recruit strong. GO BLUE!!!!!
ted
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3:09 a.m.
Believe me they would choose the 5 stars over what they are settling for now. Star ratings are for the most part accurate. There are some that rise above it , but on average it is accurate.
GoBigBlue
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:57 a.m.
Hey Ted, who died and made you king of evaluating talent?? Do you honestly think Hoke and Borges check rivals or scout to check a kids star count or decimal ranking that your so obsessed with? Wake up man! They scout talent best fitted for what they are trying to accomplish. They are seeking big strong RBs with decent speed to pound opposing D lines. They are seeking big WRs who can stretch the field or go up and get the ball! I don't see Calvin Johnson or Justin Blackman running 4.3s. But they seem to be pretty effective in the receiving game. This is the type of player Michigan is after. Just sit back and let the staff (who get paid millions) do their jobs! I'm sure if they wanted your expert advice on talent evaluation they'd ask for it.
ted
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 12:03 a.m.
Who cares about MSU. How are we going to compete again st the great teams like Alabama and USC ? You people have yet to answer any of the concerns I have proposed, instead you chalk it up to me as a troll. Answer the concern for once... Where are the elite playmakers Borges and Hoke are recruiting ? Do you really think it is not an important factor ? You can only do so much with a great offensive line. What is just as important and what seperates the great teams from the rest are the 5 star playmakers..
Terry Star21
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 11:29 p.m.
I agree happyguy....we're all set with our four and five stars, and even a few 3 stars will become as good as 5's once taken under the wing by our fine coaches. We're looking great, fabulous time to be a Michigan Football faithful....ohio and msu are in the rear view mirror - slowly disappearing !
Hailmary
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 10:26 p.m.
happyguy1, pay no attention to ted he spouts the same doomsday prophecy each time he posts. ted knows that we all know his school is miami of ohio it's just that ted has nothing better to do with his time. I find ted funny.
ted
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
Whatever makes you sleep at night. My point remains...NO elite skill position players have committed. The great teams are loaded with them. Do you really expect to compete with that ? You must be in denial, because you choose to avoid the issue of my point.
happyguy1
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.
I meant "green and white" but after seeing the Michigan vs. Michigan State game this year, it doesn't even appear that State knows their own colors.
Gabe Callender
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.
Once a solid lock to chose Michigan months ago, we lose out on yet another big time athlete. Not at all happy with the way Michigan has been recruiting at the skilled positions on offense.
GoBigBlue
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:47 a.m.
Hey Observer, news flash, big boys lose to big boys!
umgoblue47
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:45 a.m.
ted/theo. . . you would be negitive and complain if we had gotten TY ISAAC or if we get DERRICK GREEN! the problem is you still want RR as MICHIGAN'S coach and his spread offense (which i admit i did like) but know matter if we were to get all 5* recruits RR's defense, or should i say lack of would have given us more L then W's! you complain about BORGES's offense but at least give him 3/years to prove it. if MICHIGAN want's to be great again we need a killer DEFENSE which RR could not give us in his 3/years as MICHIGAN's head coach!! coach HOKE and staff has the defense pointed in the right direction as well as the offense under BOGRES!! GO BLUE!!!!!!
observer
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 12:27 a.m.
I agree, they lose out to the big boys too often....
Terry Star21
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 11:24 p.m.
Gabe....you and Ted are the funniest, crack me up...lol
Hailmary
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 10:21 p.m.
Take a chill pill ted all is in order whether you like it or not. Mich. has recruited well and we will, "win some and lose some" just like USC. This is all the nature of the game and for you to continuously spout catastrophic damnation on our program just fortifies my belief that your just another troll with nothing better to do with your life. Mich will get their allotment of RB although maybe not on your timetable. Mich. is building so relax ted and for gods sake check your blood pressure it's probably high, maybe you should think about staying on your own site.
ted
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.
Sad fact is, as of this 2013 class, No great RBs remain except for Derrick Green and that's a long shot.
ted
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.
I definitely agree. You have to wonder if they don't like what they see when looking at the type of offense Borges plans on instituting. The offensive line looks great, but what about the skill players with the ball in their hands ? According to rivals... We have 2 WRs, one is a 5.7 the other is not even ranked. ! rb who is a 5.7. This may be good for a team like Indiana, but if you look at the skill position recruiting of a team like USC or Alabama, they are almost always 5 stars ! If Michigan wants to be great low 4 star and 3 star players are NOT going to do it !
ted
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
Huge loss. Hoke and Borges come up short on the skill position once again. They could not even pull a great rb in our part of the country and instead this elite skill talent still chooses to go far away, despite what everyone wants to think is a new era. We are loaded with 3 stars at the skill/speed positions. Despite what anyone on here says, even if these 3 stars turn out to be great players, if that is the case just imagine what we could have done with a five star. Slow running back, big slow wide-outs. Borges just isn't doing his job on the recruiting front. Michigan is still not a place where an elite talent like Ty sees as a place worthy of going to.
81wolverine
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.
Ted, don't be enamored with the star ratings, especially for running backs. College football recent history is littered with bust 5* RB's. In fact, some of the good ones that got to the NFL were 3* or lower. Besides, let's not trash the coaches for not recruiting good players until we see the actual product on the field in 3-4 years. This recruiting season isn't over yet and MIchigan is in the mix on several very good running backs, not to mention Mr. Isaac might change his mind before national signing day.
GoBigBlue
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3 a.m.
Hey Ted, who died and made you king of evaluating talent?? Do you honestly think Hoke and Borges check rivals or scout to check a kids star count or decimal ranking that your so obsessed with? Wake up man! They scout talent best fitted for what they are trying to accomplish. They are seeking big strong RBs with decent speed to pound opposing D lines. They are seeking big WRs who can stretch the field or go up and get the ball! I don't see Calvin Johnson or Justin Blackman running 4.3s. But they seem to be pretty effective in the receiving game. This is the type of player Michigan is after. Just sit back and let the staff (who get paid millions) do their jobs! I'm sure if they wanted your expert advice on talent evaluation they'd ask for it.
Milqueman
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:40 a.m.
@Ted, Apparently you don' do any research at all. According to Rivals, and this is only one source, the 2012 class had 25 recruits. Of which, ten are 4 stars and two are 5 stars. I hardly see this as "Loaded with 3 stars" as you put it. Furthermore, for the 2013 class, UofM is already looking at 18 recruits, thirteen of which are 4 stars. As most ranking agencies go, they are conservative with their stars this early on, as the next years class has yet to play their senior year of high school. Look for some of those 4 stars to go up to 5 stars. It happened to the 2012 class. If you compare 2012 & 2013's class to the former coach, 2010's class had 27 recruits and only six 4 stars, zero 5 stars. 2011's class had 20 recruits with only six 4 stars and zero 5 stars. I see nothing wrong with the current coaching staffs ability to recruit. it's obviously a HUGE improvement over the last few classes and ranked right up there with the best classes in the country.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 11:29 p.m.
Hey! SURFIN', dude!!
Terry Star21
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 11:23 p.m.
This is funny, funny stuff....lol..
michboy40
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 7:08 p.m.
Ugh, this kid chose the sun, the beach, and the babes. I guess I can't blame him, but I would have loved to have seen him in maize and blue! Good luck Ty, unless you play Michigan
truebluefan
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 11:53 a.m.
I have to second Hailmary's thoughts about L.A.. I used to live in San Diego and while I was there I visited L.A. quite often. The weather is awesome and the city has pretty areas but the area surrounding USC is poor and crime infested. San Diego is a much prettier city than L.A. It's always boggled my mind how San Diego State football struggled for top recruits (until Hoke showed up).
Hailmary
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
michboy40, I live not far from the Rose Bowl, I'm originally from Ann Arbor. Work brought me here but I left my heart in Mich. The sun is usually blocked by smog, the beaches are for the most part dirty although a few are still nice and the babes don't have any more going for them than the girls in Mich. USC is in a dangerous area and I do mean dangerous. I'm betting this kid will have second thoughts more than once during his stay in Los Angeles. I wish him luck, USC has great tradition like Mich.
Blue Marker
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.
Good luck to Ty...unless USC plays Michigan. As a parent of a college student I wonder how Ty's mom feels about this. One place is a 4 hour drive, the other a 4 hour (at least) plane ride. One place has a solid coach with a pretty solid reputation; the other has a coach who's been in some hot water. USC just got off probation, Kiffen left UT after only 1 year and he was directly involved in recruiting Reggie Bush. To me the choice would be obvious. But I guess that's why they call them homers!
GoBigBlue
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.
Look for the staff to push hard now for Derrick Green. He is a beast as well with size and 4.3 speed.
heartbreakM
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.
Aww, he wasn't that talented anyway. Aww, he probably couldn't get in anyway. Awww, he is overrated. Awww, he would have sat behind all of our outstanding athletes. Awww, it's not like he's going to win at USC. (Can't get everybody, and I don't think this is a big deal).
GeeWhiz
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.
Tough break but those who come will be champions! Go Blue!
Hookemhorn
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.
Oh I see we still have a sore Sparty over here posting about their non-existence in the BCS.
SMC
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.
Money.
GoBlue2009
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3:39 p.m.
BCS.
SMC
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.
I hear a Sugar Bowl Champions ring and a $2 will get you a medium coffee at Starbucks.
Terry Star21
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 6:18 p.m.
Just a quick answer Rock, "2012 Sugar Bowl Champions" a few months back......short memory there Pal !
RocknRolla
Tue, May 15, 2012 : 5:48 p.m.
Just a quick question Whiz, when is the last time "those who come will be champions" rang true?