Michigan Wolverines: Michigan Lands USC Transfer Ty Isaac

Michigan hopes Ty Isaac can consistently do what he did to the California Golden Bears. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The first time around, the Michigan Wolverines finished second for Ty Isaac. The five-star running back from Illinois was heading to the West Coast, and the University of Southern California was his destination.

Despite not landing Isaac, Michigan did just fine in the running back department. They signed the top-rated running back in Derrick Green, along with powerful four-star bruiser DeVeon Smith.

But when Isaac looked to transfer closer to home (his mother has developed an ear problem that will not allow her to fly to her son’s games), the Wolverines were ready to reestablish the relationship. After a brief sales pitch from Northwestern, Illinois, and Notre Dame; Isaac decided Ann Arbor was the place for him.

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Now the only thing to wait on is the NCAA. Isaac applied for a hardship waiver because of his mother, but the hardship waiver states that the transfer school must be within 100 miles of the player’s home. Michigan is 250 miles from Isaac’s native Joilet, Illinois. Isaac has applied to play right away, if so he will compete with Green and Smith for the starter’s spot. If not, he will move back to the class of 2017.

This changes the dynamics of Michigan recruiting. As many know, Damien Harris has decommitted from Michigan. While he says the Wolverines are still a factor, it seems like other schools are more appealing to him.

Michigan’s other running back target, Mike Weber, never committed, and it doesn’t seem like he will in the future. In fact, he may end up at one of Michigan’s rivals: both Michigan State and Ohio State are rumored to be leading for him.

If Isaac doesn’t win his appeal, he will sit out a year. If this happens, he becomes the Wolverines’ featured back for 2014. If he wins the appeal, Michigan will still need an upper-echlon running back recruit for the upcoming class.

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So what can we expect from Isaac? He was one of the many running backs on USC’s roster last year, and he still managed to earn some time as a true freshman. He averaged 6 yards a carry on 40 attempts, which is very impressive. His breakout game was against Cal, when he rushed for 87 yards on 11 carries.

If you want proof of Isaac’s skill, his high school highlights are something to behold. In the Illinois state title game his junior year, Isaac rushed for 515 yards. In a single game. He broke the previous record for rushing yards before halftime.

Isaac is also a talented receiver out of the backfield, which make him double the threat for defenses. All that remains to be seen is when he will step on the field at the Big House. The NCAA currently does not have a timeline for his appeal, so Michigan will play the waiting game. Whenever it is, Ty Isaac will be a special player for the Maize and Blue.