Back on the Field, Scott Isacks Finds His Footing

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - September 11, 2026

Simply being back on the field felt like a win for UAB tight end Scott Isacks in the season-opening loss at Illinois.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound New Orleans native played on 42 offensive snaps and produced an overall grade of 70.4, according to Pro Football Focus. His run blocking grade of 65.3, according to PFF, was second best on the team behind offensive tackle Keyon Cox’s grade of 72.3. Isacks also had one catch for 15 yards.

It was the first time he was on the field since helping Florida beat Tulane, 33-8, in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 20, 2024.

“I was excited to be back out there,” Isacks said. “I felt like we played hard offensively, but we still lost. Like, we need to keep getting better and stuff. I'm excited about this week now. But it was fun being on the field again, especially after being hurt last year.”

Isack’s 2025 season, his fourth at Florida, never really got underway after he what he calls a “head and neck injury” that happened in the week before the season opener. He tried to push through the pain during practice but said it “continually got worse.” He returned to practice midway through the season but said “my head was spinning during practice.” So, he shut it down for the season. He thought about giving up football but began feeling better in December.

Once the season ended, after head coach Billy Napier and the staff was fired, Isacks entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer. He got an early text from UAB tight end coach Reilly Jeffers.

“Then he kept texting me,” Isacks said. “I thought, ‘Alright, he wants me at UAB.’”

Isacks had options but he took only two visits. One of the visits was in his hometown at Tulane. The other visit was UAB. His decision came quickly.

“I went on a visit and met all the coaches, met some of the guys and stuff,” Isacks said. “Being from New Orleans, Birmingham's not too far away. I just really liked the atmosphere and loved what Coach Mortensen had for us after showing me the offense and the culture. I didn't think too much about it. I liked it and and was like ‘Alright, this is the place. This place wants me and I want to be here.’"

For the UAB coaches, the selling point wasn’t just what he had done in what was four years at Florida, where he played limited time in 14 games. There was also intriguing tape from his time at Metairie Park Country Day High, where he was a 6-foot-4, 238-pound running back. One of the biggest players on the field, he ran the football in a similar style as he played with on the other side of the football at defensive end. Jeffers compared his style to former Alabama and current NFL standout Derrick Henry.

“We were kind of at a small school,” Isacks said. “I played a little bit of outside linebacker and tight end, but we didn't use the tight end a ton. So they were like, ‘We’ll just throw you in the backfield and hand you the ball.’  Guess it's easier that way.”

Isacks had a lot of success on both sides of the ball, earning All-State honors, but recruiting interest was light. His only FBS offer came from Louisiana, where his father Leonard once played offensive line. He chose to take a walk-on offer from Florida because of a relationship with Napier. Now, he’s an important part of a UAB tight end position that can stretch to five deep when everyone is healthy. Three tight ends played in the season opener with Antonio Ferguson getting the most snaps with 44.

“I feel like, you know, after being hurt last year, God's given me another opportunity,” Isacks said. “I want to take full advantage of it and honor UAB, honor Christ, honor my last name while I'm on the field and really dominate. I’ll take it one game at a time and see what happens.”