ATLANTA — On Wednesday night, Adisa Isaac declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. On Thursday morning, the star Penn State defensive end explained why.

“There’s been a lot of thoughts with family and with coaches. I felt like it was time,” Isaac said, two days before the Peach Bowl. “I felt like it was time to make that move.”

Isaac’s decision comes after his best season in a Penn State uniform. The fifth-year senior and captain led the Nittany Lions and ranked third in the Big Ten with 15 tackles for loss. The first-team All-Big Ten honoree also led Penn State with 7 1/2 sacks.

Isaac will have an opportunity to add to his TFL and sack total on Saturday. Despite declaring for the NFL draft, the New York native will play against Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl.

“I’m happy, and I’m blessed,” Isaac said on Thursday at The Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel. “I’m really appreciative of all the memories at Penn State, and I just want to close out strong with the guys. I feel like it’s only right that I finish the season, hopefully with a W.”

It would have been understandable if he opted out. Isaac is the No. 7 edge rusher in the 2024 draft class, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. He sits behind only UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, Alabama’s Dallas Turner, Florida State’s Jared Verse, Ohio State’s J.T. Tuimoloau, Alabama’s Chris Braswell and teammate Chop Robinson. Isaac projects as an early-round prospect.

Isaac “could have never thought” he’d be in the position he’s in. After not playing football until he was a high school freshman, the edge rusher developed into one of the top prospects in the 2019 recruiting class with offers from Alabama, Miami, LSU and Michigan. But Isaac’s devastating Achilles injury that cost him the 2021 season put his future in doubt.

At that point, playing in the NFL “felt like it was miles away.” But Isaac worked his way back. He rehabbed, trained and improved. He knocked off the rust in 2022, leading the Nittany Lions with 11 TFLs while chipping in four sacks. But he knew he had more to give.

Isaac decided not to leave for the NFL after the 2022 campaign. And he’s glad he did.

“Who knows what would have happened last year if I came out?” Isaac said. “Everything happens for a reason. That’s why I stay even-keeled, trust the process, stick to the gut feeling and keep moving along in a positive direction. I try not to stay too stagnant. But yeah, everything ended up panning out good for me.”

Isaac also said his family was a “big factor” in his decision now to declare for the draft. Isaac’s three siblings have disabilities that leave them unable to talk. His oldest brother, Kyle, has cerebral palsy after being born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. His older brother, Y’ashua, and younger sister, Tadj, have autism. All four were raised by their single mother, Lisa, who earned the moniker “Superwoman.”

Isaac has dedicated his life to his family, to “a special bond” he has with his siblings. He loves football. But the 6-foot-4 pass rusher also knows that with every sack and every tackle for loss, he’s one step closer to changing his family’s fortunes.

Now, after the Peach Bowl, Isaac will have that opportunity.

“Growing up, there were a lot of ups and downs,” Isaac said. “Sometimes when I’m going through something hard like a tough workout, I reflect back on that. It drives and pushes me. Those are not times that I want to go back to. The blessings that God has given me now is showing me to keep improving and keep doing what I’m doing. Because it’s gotten me this far.”

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