Interview: 3-Star 2021 Arizona OL Isaia Glass Talks Verbal Commitment to Arizona State
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
One major component of the college football recruiting process is taking the natural talents of a high school player and projecting how said talent may grow and improve within a team’s system. The good ones do it well, and Arizona State got a gem of a silent commit for a day on Thursday in Class of 2021 offensive and defensive tackle Isaia Glass.
Glass spent the 2019 season as a two-way starter for Queen Creek High School. Between alternating in the Bulldogs’ defensive trenches racking up 44 stops, he also earned second team All-Region honors as a raw and developing yet dominating first-time left tackle. Playing at around 6-4, 235, Glass has taken to the offseason with something to prove pushing his physical presence to 6-5, 260. The efforts and upside of the three-star recruit brought 21 offers to the table but all was put to a stop along the recruiting trail when the Sun Devils were made aware of his verbal commitment Thursday morning.
In a lucky break for RNG, we had a prearranged interview updating Glass’ offseason workouts that evolved into a commitment interview.
Interview
Isaia, there are many aspects to your game that pop watching game footage on you and one of them is your footwork. That can come with countless hours of drills but it looks like you play or grew up playing other sports. Is that accurate?
Yes. I would say so. I played basketball and I threw shot and the discus in track.
Thought so. During the 2019 season you lined up at left tackle for the first time with the Bulldogs. How did the season go for you at the new position?
It was interesting. As mentioned, that was my first time playing at that spot. It was fun. I didn’t have a lot of experience but got the hang of it. My athleticism carried me a long way, it was a lot of fun.
There is a controlled aggressiveness you bring to your style of play on offense. That dominating streak in your planting defenders is fantastic. What gets you riled up or motivated to play at the level come game time?
For sure – just loving the game of football. I enjoy trying to dominate the guy in front of me. I was under-weight at 235 last season and I did not have a lot of technique or experience, so I just tried to dominate with my athleticism.
When the 2019 season ended, what did you feel were your overall strengths as an offensive lineman?
Honestly, I don’t know. I had a lot wrong with my game but I was playing hard and playing to the whistle. With my run game and pass pro, there was a lot of improvement, and still more to be done.
Last season you were also getting after it on defense. What position were you playing and what responsibilities did you have within your defensive scheme?
Last year, they moved me from tackle and end. I was a starter both ways. I got a lot of reps on defense, but that was my time to get a break if I was tired. I was good at stopping the run and with my pass rush; I was versatile.
Starting on offense, what have you been working on with your game this offseason?
Over the spring I have been training with Vital. My trainer, he played in the NFL, and has a facility for offensive linemen. When he shut down, I went with another trainer, Coach Austin, he played high school and JUCO ball. He has been training me and my teammate, that has been working well. We do a lot of technique work.
And what have you been working on for defense?
Not a whole lot being honest. I’m not playing on defense at the next level. Since we’ve been having practice, I have been working on that in practice. I am trying to perfect my craft as an offensive lineman.
Where all will you line up in 2020?
Left tackle and defensive tackle.
Before we go deep into recruiting, at which position are most teams offering you?
Left tackle.
Are there schools showing interest but have not offered yet?
There are a few, but right now just focusing on my main school.
How many offers do you have now?
Twenty-one.
Glass’ Offer Sheet: Arizona, Arizona State, Army, Colorado, Fresno State, Hawaii, Kansas State, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa State, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, San Diego State, Tulane, UNLV, Utah, Utah State, and Washington State
Going back to last season, did you get to take any unofficial visits?
Yeah, I went to Oregon State.
How did that go?
I enjoyed it a lot. It was nice to see in-person and talk to the coaches.
On May 1, you dropped your Top 7 of Oregon State, Arizona, Washington State, Utah, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, and Iowa State in no order. Does that list still stand as is or has anything changed?
No. Since then, I got Indiana, Colorado, and ASU. With time going on, my parents helped me weigh my options. Based on the information I have my best choice is ASU.
Congratulations. When did you commit?
I committed this morning (Thursday).
How did you commit?
I had a few minutes with the staff and let them know I was committing.
What was that moment like for you getting the verbal commitment accomplished?
It was a relief. It is nice to be a part of the school, but it is hard to let a lot of the other schools know I will not be attending their schools. But I was ready to focus on one school.
What will you do to celebrate this big moment?
As of right now, I have no clue. Nothing is planned.
All just happened, I understand. Isaia, thanks for your time today and congratulations again on your commitment to Arizona State.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Glass family; Isaia Glass at Arizona State