Adisa Isaac isn't driven by fame.
He has had a deeper purpose, first at Canarsie High School in New York City and then at Penn State over the last five years.
He plays football for his mother and his three non-verbal siblings.
They are the reason he does it.
Isaac explained, "That's why I do it. Without them, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing."
Isaac cemented his position as a second-day NFL Draft pick on Friday at Penn State's Pro Day. He is expected to be chosen late in the second round or third round. If that happens, he would likely sign a rookie contract worth about $8 million.
He would then be in a position to relocate his mother and siblings from New York because, as he mentioned during the 2022 season, "there was violence everywhere."
"I really want to take her and my family somewhere else," he expressed, "and give them something they didn't have. I feel like it's well deserved. That would make my life, just giving them back for everything they've done for me."
Lisa Wiltshire-Isaac is thankful for all that her youngest son has done for her and her other three children, who are all developmentally disabled and need special care. She has raised them as a single mother.
Kyle, Y'ashua, and Tadj are unable to talk, read, or write. Kyle, the oldest, has cerebral palsy. Y'ashua and Tadj, the youngest, are on the autism spectrum, according to Lisa.
From a young age, Adisa has assisted his mother with taking care of his siblings, helping out with various tasks such as meeting Tadj at her bus stop, getting their shoes and clothes, feeding them, and doing "any little thing that he could have done," as his mother described.
"Oh, no, I can't imagine what I would do without him," Lisa stated. "I don't even want to think about it. He's a part of the puzzle that can't be replaced. He's irreplaceable."
Isaac will be a challenge to replace at Penn State. Last season, he led the Nittany Lions in tackles for loss (16) and sacks (7.5) and served as a team captain. He was selected to the All-Big Ten first team by a media panel and to the second team by the coaches.
Despite his achievements, he played in the shadow of fellow defensive end Chop Robinson and linebacker Abdul Carter. Not surprisingly, he was an outstanding leader.
"People don't see it, but he'll make sure the unit is all together," Penn State defensive line coach Deion Barnes said last fall. "Checking on each guy and talking to guys through plays. His leadership has been the biggest help for me."
Isaac is mature beyond his years due to the sacrifices he made while growing up. When NFL teams inquired about him at the Scouting Combine earlier this month, he started with talking about his family.
"They're part of me," he stated. "I talked about what it was like growing up and all the stuff I had to go through that affected me. I told them how that molded me into the player and person I am and how I think.
"I had to grow up really quickly. It really gave me that mentality from a young age of being selfless, being patient, and being a team player."
One of his high school coaches mentioned that he never complained about his family responsibilities. He said Isaac and his mother, an elementary school teacher, "feel blessed and honored that these kids are in their lives."
He is very important to her and his siblings.
When they see him, they become very happy and excited.
Adisa Isaac wasn't a top player at Penn State, but he's a remarkable young man who is easy to support. He's six weeks away from keeping a promise he made to his mother and to himself.
Getting drafted is going to be extremely important to him. He has experienced many difficult moments which have led him to where he is now. He is very thankful for everything and wouldn't change any of it, as he believes that you can't appreciate the good times without the bad.
