Running Back Ty Isaac Cleared To Transfer

As players finish up the grind of a long semester with the much-fretted semester exams, we hear news that sophomore running back Ty Isaac has been officially released of his scholarship and plans to transfer in the summer. 

Isaac, the five-star recruit out of Joliet Catholic Academy, really took off once Ed Orgeron gained control as interim head coach alongside injuries in the backfield to Tre Madden and Justin Davis. Appearing in 14 games this past season on both offense but especially special teams, Isaac carried the ball 40 times -including an 11-rush, 87-yard outing against Cal- for 236 yards and two touchdowns.  

But following an injury-plagued spring, and as Isaac called the overwhelming weight of playing in Los Angeles while his mother's health was suffering back home was tough to manage, the tailback finally made his intentions clear.  

"I really enjoyed my time at USC but it's decision that I had to make and I made it," Isaac told Chris Swanson of uscfootball.com 

Isaac sounded extremely remorse about leaving USC heading into his sophomore season given his family situation but the departure from the football program took an almost equal toll on his overall thoughts about the decision. That said, Isaac new that now was the time was officially ask for his release. 

"I really appreciate USC and the way they treat their players," Isaac told Chris Swanson. "I wish it could've worked out because it's a great place. it's just one of those tough decisions but I felt I made the right one to be closer to my family."

Isaac has been officially released of his scholarship, which USC gets back in the next recruiting class, leaving the Trojans with a solid three-back rotation in Buck Allen, the now-healthy Tre Madden along with 18-year-old back Justin Davis.

Isaac fought with Davis for most of last season just to obtain that third spot in the rotation and with the sudden second-half emergence of Buck Allen in the backfield, amassing 135 carries for 835 yards including 14 touchdowns, this immediate loss at tailback could be easily overcome in the near future. 

The Trojans now head into players-only Summer Workouts without the large presence of Isaac, who some great potential carrying the rock in that upright Adrian Peterson like gallop in the backfield. But still expect coach Sarkisian to draw plenty of run plays for Allen, Madden and Davis once Fall Camp starts August 4th.