March 20, 2024 • 19 mins
Will Selva and MJ Acosta-Ruiz are back for another episode of El Huddle!
This week we're joined by Louisville Running back draft prospect Isaac Guerendo! First, Isaac shares his experience at the NFL combine and what it was like to change from Wisconsin to Louisville.
Next, Isaac talks about his relationship with Wisconsin alumni and star RB Jonathan Taylor.
And finally, Isaac shares with us what he does on his down time and his experience with reality tv.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
El Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership
with iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Oh look at dal What is good?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Everybody?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Hope you're all doing well? This is the l Huddle Podcast.
My name is Will Saba, Along time, my Ermana, my Brima,
Brima Ermana, Mjakta Ruiz and MJ. This is the season
now where we are meeting future prospects, future stars potentially
(00:39):
here on the l Hudle Podcast. Love this season, love
this time of year, and we are gonna love our
next guest. This guy is an absolute stud. He was
a running back at Louisville and the man had I
popping numbers at the combine in Indianapolis. How about this
four three three in the four yard dash? Come on,
(01:01):
that's not enough to impress you. How about a vertical
up of forty one and a half inches?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Yes, let's give it up.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
The one, the only running back, Isaac Gerendo. Let's go,
what's up Isaac?
Speaker 3 (01:18):
How are you guys doing?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Oh we're great, Yeah, a lot better now that we
have you.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
And I appreciate you guys having me on for sure.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah, absolutely, So what has your time been spent right now?
After you did that impressive performance in Indianapolis.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
So for me, you know, after that especially, you know,
just talking over with my agent and everything, just kind
of just giving myself a little little mental and physical break.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
You know.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
That that all two months, two and a half months,
you know period you talk about you know, training and
then you know, going.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
To a to an All Star Game, and then you know,
obviously the Combine on top of that. You know, it
was it was a pretty hectic two months.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
But you know, I mean there was a lot of
people that were kind of stressed, but I just I
just try to embrace all of it, you know, take
it all in.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
You know, one thing I've heard and I've learned a
lot through this process is like you only get to
do it once, so you know, just just staying in
the moment, you know, and join everything, and you know,
just really understanding that, you know, not everybody gets this opportunity,
so really just trying to trying to embrace that and
you know, just really cherish it, honestly, Isaac.
Speaker 5 (02:31):
Okay, We've had former players come on here a ton
talk about the combine, their experiences of the Combine, and
every time we talk about the next generation, the new
guys coming through, it's always the same, the same markers, right,
like you guys were just built different. I feel like
the new standard of the forty is four sub four
(02:52):
four four three and below that right where years ago
that was like, oh my god, this is the fastest
man on the planet. Like, you guys really are setting
the new standard for the NFL. What do you think
think about the collegiate experience now has shifted or evolved
that makes you guys these hybrid crazy fast yet super
(03:13):
strong athletes.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Honestly, you know, I think it's a combination of a
lot of things. But you know, I think most importantly
just you know, just understanding like training and you know,
continuing to to to build and develop as far as
you know, recovery and stuff goes. So it's like as
we continue to learn more, you know, about our bodies
and then about training and kind of you know, what
(03:38):
things work best, you know, I think, you know, that's
kind of when when we're able to continue to make
progress and make jumps and strides and as far as
you know, improving times, improving jumps and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
One thing, Isaac is we've had guests come on talk
about their combine experience about how the nerves really got
to them the day of or the night before. How
were you feeling heading into the day when you had
those amazing numbers recorded.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Uh yeah, So for me, you know, fortunately I was
able to you know, obviously, you talk about playing you know,
at a high level, you know, playing college football, you know,
you're kind of in that environment.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
But but for me, it was you.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
Know, I felt like I had been there before, you know,
being being a track guy. You know, you know there's
not as many people on the track, you know, when
you're when you're running, you know, versus on the football field.
So you know, feeling that I have been in that
position before, you know, I really just tried to kind
of just stay stay in the moment and stay locked in,
and you know, I think that allowed me to be
(04:50):
you know, just kind of stress free in that situation.
So you know, I really just kind of blocked everything out.
You know, obviously with the combine. Now, like I went
in twenty eighteen in high school, and you know, they're
was probably you know, there's a few people scattered here
and there, but you know, now like a lot of
people actually go to.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
The combine, so you know there was a lot.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
More people, but you know, just really just like staying
in the moment, you know, taking taking deep breaths, but
you know, also understanding I've been in similar situations, so
you know, it wasn't very new to me.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
You mentioned something earlier that really really caught my attention
because I think it's it's such tremendous.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Foresight for you to have.
Speaker 5 (05:36):
You said you took a much needed both physical and
mental break, and I think having both of those components
as as a as a point of priority for you
just speaks to not just who you are as an athlete,
who you are as a man, but really understanding that
both of those things have to be in alignment. Why
was that so important for you?
Speaker 3 (05:56):
You know, I think you know, just entering college football,
that's that's something that you know, as obviously being an
older guy.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Somebody who's been been through it, you know, just you know,
been through a lot of adversity. You know, just understanding
that you know, this this game is definitely more than
more than physical.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
You know, you have to look at the the.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
Mental aspect of things, and you know, just kind of
kind of balance it too, because uh, you know, it's
really important. You know, if you if your mental is
not there, you know, you're not going to be able
to perform physically. And I don't think people give enough
credit to to how mental this game can be.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
You know, just talk about you.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
Know, the amount of time and effort that you have
to invest in the game.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
You know, it can be a lot a lot of
it sometimes.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
You know, there's there's several different things that people people
struggle with, whether that's you know, being away from home,
whether that's you know, gaining losing weight. You know, there's
a there's just so many things that go into it.
So you know that that can create for for a
lot of stress. So you know, really really making sure
that you do take care of your mental you know,
(07:02):
I feel like it's it's it's important to have that balance.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
You seem to have a great balance in the way
that you're talking to us in great perspective. What was
your reaction when you ran the forty and then you
turned around and you saw up on the scoreboard four
three three.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Well, so the unfortunate thing is when you're when you're
in the building and you look up like your first forty,
they don't they don't show the time so I'm over here,
like what did I run? What did I run? So
I didn't really get it until til I got back.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
One of one of the guys that I was training with,
he had let me know my time, and I was
just like, you know.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
I think, I think I'm just gonna stick with that one.
Like I was.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
I was fine with it, But seems like the more
like I watched, the more I watch it, I'm like,
maybe if I had a better start, I would have
been able to get for too.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
But you know, I'm completely happy with my time.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
And then you know, obviously, you know, got to give
all the credit to my trainer, Jordan X three, you know,
for helping me, you know, get to that point.
Speaker 5 (08:03):
Not you thinking, oh I didn't get a four to two. Yeah, yeah,
the thought of a four to three has my hamstrings
screaming at the moment.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Absolutely not would not occur.
Speaker 5 (08:19):
But I do want to talk a little bit about
your college experience, because you mentioned you do have more experience,
I think than the common combine prospect who comes through
the doors.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
You you played your final year.
Speaker 5 (08:30):
Of eligibility eligibility rather in Louisville after three seasons at Wisconsin.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
That's a that's a.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
Pretty shift, hard shift and two big programs. So how
was that change for you?
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Yeah, So for me it was it was very different.
You know obviously, you know I spent so much time
you know, just because you know, early on I did,
you know, struggle with like some injury stuff. So you know,
for me, you know, taking that last year, you know,
it was it was still like a development thing for me.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
You know, that's that's something.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
That I you know, incorporated in to my my decision
to to move on and go somewhere else. But you know,
at the same time, you know, be able to get
get some more film, you know, build some more confidence
and stuff like that. But you know, it was definitely
a very big transition, you know, the offensive offenses, you know,
(09:23):
talk about scheme wise, you know, being at Wisconsin, you know,
we were ran the ball like fifty times a game,
and then you know, switching to a more you know,
multi dimensional offense. You know, I think it was definitely
something that was good for me, you know, especially with
with how the game changes, you know, not only at
the college level, but in the professionals as well. You know,
(09:45):
it's it's it's important, you know, being able to showcase
you know, multi dimensions. You talk about you know, being
able to run the ball, but you know pass block
and then catch the ball in the backfield as well.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
So you know, being a part of offense like that,
you know, a lover. You know, it helped me to
showcase that.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Those offenses in Wisconsin definitely show case the running backs.
And one of those guys who was showcased over the
years was Jonathan Taylor, who's now with the Cults. How
has he been an influence for you?
Speaker 4 (10:15):
You know, he's he's made things like a lot easier
for me. You know, already transitioning from high school to
college and itself is a is a big enough hurdle,
but you know, when I was transitioning, you know, from
a receiver to a running back, you know as well,
(10:35):
like that that creates obviously more than one hurdle, more
than one obstacle. So you know, having him as a mentor,
you know, in my in my young years was you know,
like I couldn't be more thankful for it. But you know,
just also you know somebody you know who I modeled
my game after. But you know, like just on and
off the field, you know, he's he's a. He's a
(10:57):
great person, but you know he's obviously a great player
as well, so you know, just kind of modeling, modeling
my game and then you know, just myself after him
in general. You know, that's that's kind of been a
big thing. But you know, he's also a guy. You know,
whenever I text him, whenever I call him, he's going
to pick.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Up the phone. He's going to answer the phone.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
So you know, being able to ask him a lot
of questions throughout this process as well, you know, it
definitely helps me.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
You know, gives me a leg up, you know, going
into interviews, kind.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
Of understanding what to expect, kind of you know, figuring out,
you know, how how the testing is for the combine,
stuff like that. But then you know, like also understanding
you know, looking at the draft process, you know, going ahead,
like you know, he he talked to X amount of teams,
but you know, none of the teams were the Coats,
(11:50):
so it's like, you know, you truly never know where you're.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Gonna end up.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
So you know, I could I could talk to thirty
one teams and the thirty second team could draft me.
So you know it's just kind of you got to
you gotta be ready for whatever. You know, it's just
a lot of unknowns, so just understanding that, but you know,
having him as a mentor, you know, just I'm very
grateful for it.
Speaker 5 (12:12):
This tracks so much with what we already know about
him as as just like a douche dude as a player,
like this is one hundred percent on brand. So I
love to hear more and more stories about that. But
you're right, like you never know which way along the
process you can go in and think you crushed an
interview and then suddenly it's a team that you hadn't
even spoken with before outside of the very quick meanings
(12:34):
you guys have during the combine in Indianapolis, have you
been able to meet with any teams? Like, can you share?
Arethy of that with us?
Speaker 3 (12:42):
So I talked to my agent.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
He was saying, like, you know, most of the visits
and stuff are supposed to come like after pro day,
so you know, I haven't been on any yet, but
you know, I've started to plan some for for after.
But you know, obviously, you know, going from one of
those to the other, you know, I'll be able to compareison,
you know, get a feel for stuff like that. But
we we do have such a late day with it
(13:05):
being March twenty six, so you know a lot of
guys have already you know, kind of been been through there.
So you know, after that, you know, I'll have a
have a better idea of you know, what places I'll
be visiting and stuff.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
So Isaac you were talking about earlier in the podcast,
that's you know, right now, just kind of decompressing a
little bit. It's been pretty hectic for you. You've had
to do a lot training really hard. So how do
you wind down? What's a guilty pleasure of yours that
that the public doesn't know?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
A guilty pleasure?
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Like are you a gamer?
Speaker 5 (13:44):
Like?
Speaker 3 (13:44):
What are you?
Speaker 6 (13:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (13:45):
Reality? Yeah, trashy TV.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
I love it blind.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Blind watching it. I was told to watch the first
episode and I did end up.
Speaker 4 (13:57):
But I just honestly don't understand how anybody could participate
in the show like that.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
I don't.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
It's a lot, It's crazy, But I'm starting to mesh
all these these love shows, you know, Love.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Island, Love is Blind, and I don't.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
Remember the other one altogether, but I do. I do
play video games a good for sure. But you know,
obviously the last two weeks. I haven't haven't really had
the time, but you know, I'll probably get into it
at some point. But you know, being in being in
Florida training though, you know, being able to just you know,
(14:34):
drive to the beach, you know, just hang out for
a little bit, that's relaxing. But you know, it's a
little bit of a wake up call getting back to
Indy and Louisville and stuff and it being thirty degrees
and I'm like, oh wow, no, but.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Not having that going to the beach, Yes, sir, I'll
take that. So Isaac, now, now that you're going through
this process, do you allow yourself at all to at
least think of the possibilities of places that you you'll
(15:11):
go or or or where you're going to land. Because
there's thirty two opportunities, right and as you mentioned, as
j T told you, you never know where you're going
to end up. But do you ever allow yourself kind
of back in those quiet moments when you're with yourself
and you're saying, you know, this would be cool if
(15:32):
I could go here. Wow, if I went there, the
things that I could do when I can accomplish.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
M Yeah, So for me, you know, it's I've kind
of always had this mentality.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
It's just like a you know, whoever, whoever it the.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Good people around there.
Speaker 6 (15:54):
Yeah, Isaac, Yeah, that's you know, like I feel like
sometimes too, like your family, your friends, like you know,
your childhood spaces, like oh, we wish you could play
for the home team, and that happens, right, but like
at this at this point, you're like, dude, I just
want the shield and then the like just the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
But but yeah, you know, obviously, you know my mom's like,
you know, have you talked to the colts, have you
talked to I'm you.
Speaker 4 (16:23):
Know, I know you want me to be at home,
and you know, I'll play for anybody.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
But at the end of the day, you never know, like, yeah.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
Trust Mom's gonna be the first one to buy the
jersey call your name.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
She would burst out in tears if that happens. Oh
my god.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
All right, well now we're let us be your proxy.
We will manifest that for you. You never have to
say it. Ever, us and momus and mom for you.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
That's it.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
I mean, she must be so happy and proud of you,
of what you've been able to do and you have
been able to show up and show out in these
massive veys news in these big time football programs, and
then you go to a place like Indianapolis where for
you it's home essentially, and you do what you do.
(17:16):
I mean, I can only imagine how she feels watching
her son, you know, training and dreaming of the NFL.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
Yeah, no, for sure, Like the amount of times in
the past couple of months that she's told me she's
proud of me, Like it's it's insane. But you know,
I couldn't couldn't appreciate her more, you know, throughout this
this whole process.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
But you know, she's you know, both my parents have
always been for me. You know, I don't I don't.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
I don't remember the last time she she missed the game,
you know, from from little league.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
You know, that's traveling, you know, even when.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
I was at Wisconsin, She's making the six hour drive
every weekend. But yeah, no, I mean I definitely couldn't
couldn't appreciate her her more during this process, you know,
just being you know, such a such a good supporter.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
What's your mom's name, her first name, Jennifer. I need
a Jennifer cam on Draft night. That's the only feet
to see. I think I don't see Mama Jennifer on
the other side, and that's always my favorite part of
the draft. And look, we're so excited for you. Now
you're part of our fam of our familia, as we
say here on El Huddle, we are brooding for you
(18:28):
and so excited for you. Thank you so much for
coming on. The best to your mom and your parents
and the whole family. I know, I know that watch
party is going to be intense, so I can't wait
to see where you land. We know that you will
be absolutely amazing once you hit the league.
Speaker 4 (18:42):
Isa, No, for sure, I appreciate you, guys. You appreciate
you guys. You know, taking the time, you know, have
the me on for sure.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Absolutely, Hey, good luck, my friend, and make sure to
come on back. Don't get an attitude when you get
into the league.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
He's not going to have an at it.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
Okay, okay, all right.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
We just love there, right all right, see you soon.
Speaker 5 (19:05):
I think, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Well, good luck, my man.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
In Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership
with iHeart Radio. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the
iHeartRadio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts,
El Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership
with iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Oh look at dal What is good?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Everybody?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Hope you're all doing well? This is the l Huddle Podcast.
My name is Will Saba, Along time, my Ermana, my Brima,
Brima Ermana, Mjakta Ruiz and MJ. This is the season
now where we are meeting future prospects, future stars potentially
(00:39):
here on the l Hudle Podcast. Love this season, love
this time of year, and we are gonna love our
next guest. This guy is an absolute stud. He was
a running back at Louisville and the man had I
popping numbers at the combine in Indianapolis. How about this
four three three in the four yard dash? Come on,
(01:01):
that's not enough to impress you. How about a vertical
up of forty one and a half inches?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Yes, let's give it up.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
The one, the only running back, Isaac Gerendo. Let's go,
what's up Isaac?
Speaker 3 (01:18):
How are you guys doing?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Oh we're great, Yeah, a lot better now that we
have you.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
And I appreciate you guys having me on for sure.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah, absolutely, So what has your time been spent right now?
After you did that impressive performance in Indianapolis.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
So for me, you know, after that especially, you know,
just talking over with my agent and everything, just kind
of just giving myself a little little mental and physical break.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
You know.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
That that all two months, two and a half months,
you know period you talk about you know, training and
then you know, going.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
To a to an All Star Game, and then you know,
obviously the Combine on top of that. You know, it
was it was a pretty hectic two months.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
But you know, I mean there was a lot of
people that were kind of stressed, but I just I
just try to embrace all of it, you know, take
it all in.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
You know, one thing I've heard and I've learned a
lot through this process is like you only get to
do it once, so you know, just just staying in
the moment, you know, and join everything, and you know,
just really understanding that, you know, not everybody gets this opportunity,
so really just trying to trying to embrace that and
you know, just really cherish it, honestly, Isaac.
Speaker 5 (02:31):
Okay, We've had former players come on here a ton
talk about the combine, their experiences of the Combine, and
every time we talk about the next generation, the new
guys coming through, it's always the same, the same markers, right,
like you guys were just built different. I feel like
the new standard of the forty is four sub four
(02:52):
four four three and below that right where years ago
that was like, oh my god, this is the fastest
man on the planet. Like, you guys really are setting
the new standard for the NFL. What do you think
think about the collegiate experience now has shifted or evolved
that makes you guys these hybrid crazy fast yet super
(03:13):
strong athletes.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Honestly, you know, I think it's a combination of a
lot of things. But you know, I think most importantly
just you know, just understanding like training and you know,
continuing to to to build and develop as far as
you know, recovery and stuff goes. So it's like as
we continue to learn more, you know, about our bodies
and then about training and kind of you know, what
(03:38):
things work best, you know, I think, you know, that's
kind of when when we're able to continue to make
progress and make jumps and strides and as far as
you know, improving times, improving jumps and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
One thing, Isaac is we've had guests come on talk
about their combine experience about how the nerves really got
to them the day of or the night before. How
were you feeling heading into the day when you had
those amazing numbers recorded.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Uh yeah, So for me, you know, fortunately I was
able to you know, obviously, you talk about playing you know,
at a high level, you know, playing college football, you know,
you're kind of in that environment.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
But but for me, it was you.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
Know, I felt like I had been there before, you know,
being being a track guy. You know, you know there's
not as many people on the track, you know, when
you're when you're running, you know, versus on the football field.
So you know, feeling that I have been in that
position before, you know, I really just tried to kind
of just stay stay in the moment and stay locked in,
and you know, I think that allowed me to be
(04:50):
you know, just kind of stress free in that situation.
So you know, I really just kind of blocked everything out.
You know, obviously with the combine. Now, like I went
in twenty eighteen in high school, and you know, they're
was probably you know, there's a few people scattered here
and there, but you know, now like a lot of
people actually go to.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
The combine, so you know there was a lot.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
More people, but you know, just really just like staying
in the moment, you know, taking taking deep breaths, but
you know, also understanding I've been in similar situations, so
you know, it wasn't very new to me.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
You mentioned something earlier that really really caught my attention
because I think it's it's such tremendous.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Foresight for you to have.
Speaker 5 (05:36):
You said you took a much needed both physical and
mental break, and I think having both of those components
as as a as a point of priority for you
just speaks to not just who you are as an athlete,
who you are as a man, but really understanding that
both of those things have to be in alignment. Why
was that so important for you?
Speaker 3 (05:56):
You know, I think you know, just entering college football,
that's that's something that you know, as obviously being an
older guy.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Somebody who's been been through it, you know, just you know,
been through a lot of adversity. You know, just understanding
that you know, this this game is definitely more than
more than physical.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
You know, you have to look at the the.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
Mental aspect of things, and you know, just kind of
kind of balance it too, because uh, you know, it's
really important. You know, if you if your mental is
not there, you know, you're not going to be able
to perform physically. And I don't think people give enough
credit to to how mental this game can be.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
You know, just talk about you.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
Know, the amount of time and effort that you have
to invest in the game.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
You know, it can be a lot a lot of
it sometimes.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
You know, there's there's several different things that people people
struggle with, whether that's you know, being away from home,
whether that's you know, gaining losing weight. You know, there's
a there's just so many things that go into it.
So you know that that can create for for a
lot of stress. So you know, really really making sure
that you do take care of your mental you know,
(07:02):
I feel like it's it's it's important to have that balance.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
You seem to have a great balance in the way
that you're talking to us in great perspective. What was
your reaction when you ran the forty and then you
turned around and you saw up on the scoreboard four
three three.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Well, so the unfortunate thing is when you're when you're
in the building and you look up like your first forty,
they don't they don't show the time so I'm over here,
like what did I run? What did I run? So
I didn't really get it until til I got back.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
One of one of the guys that I was training with,
he had let me know my time, and I was
just like, you know.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
I think, I think I'm just gonna stick with that one.
Like I was.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
I was fine with it, But seems like the more
like I watched, the more I watch it, I'm like,
maybe if I had a better start, I would have
been able to get for too.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
But you know, I'm completely happy with my time.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
And then you know, obviously, you know, got to give
all the credit to my trainer, Jordan X three, you know,
for helping me, you know, get to that point.
Speaker 5 (08:03):
Not you thinking, oh I didn't get a four to two. Yeah, yeah,
the thought of a four to three has my hamstrings
screaming at the moment.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Absolutely not would not occur.
Speaker 5 (08:19):
But I do want to talk a little bit about
your college experience, because you mentioned you do have more experience,
I think than the common combine prospect who comes through
the doors.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
You you played your final year.
Speaker 5 (08:30):
Of eligibility eligibility rather in Louisville after three seasons at Wisconsin.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
That's a that's a.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
Pretty shift, hard shift and two big programs. So how
was that change for you?
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Yeah, So for me it was it was very different.
You know obviously, you know I spent so much time
you know, just because you know, early on I did,
you know, struggle with like some injury stuff. So you know,
for me, you know, taking that last year, you know,
it was it was still like a development thing for me.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
You know, that's that's something.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
That I you know, incorporated in to my my decision
to to move on and go somewhere else. But you know,
at the same time, you know, be able to get
get some more film, you know, build some more confidence
and stuff like that. But you know, it was definitely
a very big transition, you know, the offensive offenses, you know,
(09:23):
talk about scheme wise, you know, being at Wisconsin, you know,
we were ran the ball like fifty times a game,
and then you know, switching to a more you know,
multi dimensional offense. You know, I think it was definitely
something that was good for me, you know, especially with
with how the game changes, you know, not only at
the college level, but in the professionals as well. You know,
(09:45):
it's it's it's important, you know, being able to showcase
you know, multi dimensions. You talk about you know, being
able to run the ball, but you know pass block
and then catch the ball in the backfield as well.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
So you know, being a part of offense like that,
you know, a lover. You know, it helped me to
showcase that.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Those offenses in Wisconsin definitely show case the running backs.
And one of those guys who was showcased over the
years was Jonathan Taylor, who's now with the Cults. How
has he been an influence for you?
Speaker 4 (10:15):
You know, he's he's made things like a lot easier
for me. You know, already transitioning from high school to
college and itself is a is a big enough hurdle,
but you know, when I was transitioning, you know, from
a receiver to a running back, you know as well,
(10:35):
like that that creates obviously more than one hurdle, more
than one obstacle. So you know, having him as a mentor,
you know, in my in my young years was you know,
like I couldn't be more thankful for it. But you know,
just also you know somebody you know who I modeled
my game after. But you know, like just on and
off the field, you know, he's he's a. He's a
(10:57):
great person, but you know he's obviously a great player
as well, so you know, just kind of modeling, modeling
my game and then you know, just myself after him
in general. You know, that's that's kind of been a
big thing. But you know, he's also a guy. You know,
whenever I text him, whenever I call him, he's going
to pick.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Up the phone. He's going to answer the phone.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
So you know, being able to ask him a lot
of questions throughout this process as well, you know, it
definitely helps me.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
You know, gives me a leg up, you know, going
into interviews, kind.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
Of understanding what to expect, kind of you know, figuring out,
you know, how how the testing is for the combine,
stuff like that. But then you know, like also understanding
you know, looking at the draft process, you know, going ahead,
like you know, he he talked to X amount of teams,
but you know, none of the teams were the Coats,
(11:50):
so it's like, you know, you truly never know where you're.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Gonna end up.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
So you know, I could I could talk to thirty
one teams and the thirty second team could draft me.
So you know it's just kind of you got to
you gotta be ready for whatever. You know, it's just
a lot of unknowns, so just understanding that, but you know,
having him as a mentor, you know, just I'm very
grateful for it.
Speaker 5 (12:12):
This tracks so much with what we already know about
him as as just like a douche dude as a player,
like this is one hundred percent on brand. So I
love to hear more and more stories about that. But
you're right, like you never know which way along the
process you can go in and think you crushed an
interview and then suddenly it's a team that you hadn't
even spoken with before outside of the very quick meanings
(12:34):
you guys have during the combine in Indianapolis, have you
been able to meet with any teams? Like, can you share?
Arethy of that with us?
Speaker 3 (12:42):
So I talked to my agent.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
He was saying, like, you know, most of the visits
and stuff are supposed to come like after pro day,
so you know, I haven't been on any yet, but
you know, I've started to plan some for for after.
But you know, obviously, you know, going from one of
those to the other, you know, I'll be able to compareison,
you know, get a feel for stuff like that. But
we we do have such a late day with it
(13:05):
being March twenty six, so you know a lot of
guys have already you know, kind of been been through there.
So you know, after that, you know, I'll have a
have a better idea of you know, what places I'll
be visiting and stuff.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
So Isaac you were talking about earlier in the podcast,
that's you know, right now, just kind of decompressing a
little bit. It's been pretty hectic for you. You've had
to do a lot training really hard. So how do
you wind down? What's a guilty pleasure of yours that
that the public doesn't know?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
A guilty pleasure?
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Like are you a gamer?
Speaker 5 (13:44):
Like?
Speaker 3 (13:44):
What are you?
Speaker 6 (13:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (13:45):
Reality? Yeah, trashy TV.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
I love it blind.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Blind watching it. I was told to watch the first
episode and I did end up.
Speaker 4 (13:57):
But I just honestly don't understand how anybody could participate
in the show like that.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
I don't.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
It's a lot, It's crazy, But I'm starting to mesh
all these these love shows, you know, Love.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Island, Love is Blind, and I don't.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
Remember the other one altogether, but I do. I do
play video games a good for sure. But you know,
obviously the last two weeks. I haven't haven't really had
the time, but you know, I'll probably get into it
at some point. But you know, being in being in
Florida training though, you know, being able to just you know,
(14:34):
drive to the beach, you know, just hang out for
a little bit, that's relaxing. But you know, it's a
little bit of a wake up call getting back to
Indy and Louisville and stuff and it being thirty degrees
and I'm like, oh wow, no, but.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Not having that going to the beach, Yes, sir, I'll
take that. So Isaac, now, now that you're going through
this process, do you allow yourself at all to at
least think of the possibilities of places that you you'll
(15:11):
go or or or where you're going to land. Because
there's thirty two opportunities, right and as you mentioned, as
j T told you, you never know where you're going
to end up. But do you ever allow yourself kind
of back in those quiet moments when you're with yourself
and you're saying, you know, this would be cool if
(15:32):
I could go here. Wow, if I went there, the
things that I could do when I can accomplish.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
M Yeah, So for me, you know, it's I've kind
of always had this mentality.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
It's just like a you know, whoever, whoever it the.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Good people around there.
Speaker 6 (15:54):
Yeah, Isaac, Yeah, that's you know, like I feel like
sometimes too, like your family, your friends, like you know,
your childhood spaces, like oh, we wish you could play
for the home team, and that happens, right, but like
at this at this point, you're like, dude, I just
want the shield and then the like just the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
But but yeah, you know, obviously, you know my mom's like,
you know, have you talked to the colts, have you
talked to I'm you.
Speaker 4 (16:23):
Know, I know you want me to be at home,
and you know, I'll play for anybody.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
But at the end of the day, you never know, like, yeah.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
Trust Mom's gonna be the first one to buy the
jersey call your name.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
She would burst out in tears if that happens. Oh
my god.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
All right, well now we're let us be your proxy.
We will manifest that for you. You never have to
say it. Ever, us and momus and mom for you.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
That's it.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
I mean, she must be so happy and proud of you,
of what you've been able to do and you have
been able to show up and show out in these
massive veys news in these big time football programs, and
then you go to a place like Indianapolis where for
you it's home essentially, and you do what you do.
(17:16):
I mean, I can only imagine how she feels watching
her son, you know, training and dreaming of the NFL.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
Yeah, no, for sure, Like the amount of times in
the past couple of months that she's told me she's
proud of me, Like it's it's insane. But you know,
I couldn't couldn't appreciate her more, you know, throughout this
this whole process.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
But you know, she's you know, both my parents have
always been for me. You know, I don't I don't.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
I don't remember the last time she she missed the game,
you know, from from little league.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
You know, that's traveling, you know, even when.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
I was at Wisconsin, She's making the six hour drive
every weekend. But yeah, no, I mean I definitely couldn't
couldn't appreciate her her more during this process, you know,
just being you know, such a such a good supporter.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
What's your mom's name, her first name, Jennifer. I need
a Jennifer cam on Draft night. That's the only feet
to see. I think I don't see Mama Jennifer on
the other side, and that's always my favorite part of
the draft. And look, we're so excited for you. Now
you're part of our fam of our familia, as we
say here on El Huddle, we are brooding for you
(18:28):
and so excited for you. Thank you so much for
coming on. The best to your mom and your parents
and the whole family. I know, I know that watch
party is going to be intense, so I can't wait
to see where you land. We know that you will
be absolutely amazing once you hit the league.
Speaker 4 (18:42):
Isa, No, for sure, I appreciate you, guys. You appreciate
you guys. You know, taking the time, you know, have
the me on for sure.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Absolutely, Hey, good luck, my friend, and make sure to
come on back. Don't get an attitude when you get
into the league.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
He's not going to have an at it.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
Okay, okay, all right.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
We just love there, right all right, see you soon.
Speaker 5 (19:05):
I think, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Well, good luck, my man.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
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