In 2013, running back Ty Isaac was among a group of ESPN 300 prospects from Big Ten country who ended up signing with schools far, far away. While Isaac went to USC, fellow Illinois native Laquon Treadwell signed with Ole Miss and Indiana native Elijah Daniel went to Auburn.
A year later, Isaac is returning to the Midwest and could end up playing in the Big Ten after all. The running back from Joliet, Ill., announced Wednesday that he has been released from his scholarship at USC. He is expected to transfer to a school closer to home to be near his ailing mother.
"It was based on a family decision," Isaac told Rivals.com.
Isaac picked USC over Michigan and had received scholarship offers from around the Big Ten. Possible landing spots include Northwestern, Notre Dame, Illinois and possibly Michigan. He has three years of eligibility remaining and could use a redshirt season this fall if forced to sit out because of NCAA transfer rules.
He rushed for 236 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries last season as a true freshman for the Trojans. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Isaac is a hulking back who could fit in well with just about any offense.
Northwestern landed a USC transfer in wide receiver Kyle Prater in 2012 who, like Isaac, was a decorated recruit from Illinois who elected to come closer to home because of family reasons. Illinois certainly could use a boost at running back for the future, as top playmaker Josh Ferguson will be a junior this fall.
Isaac was highly regarded at USC and could be an instant impact player for his new team.
