Whether crashing through the line for a tackle or analyzing the opposing team at the lineup, ready to strike, a particular linebacker on the football field is hard to miss.
Coppell senior Blake Isbell was not always the standout defensive lineman he is today. Isbell started at the bottom as Coppell Middle School East’s C team backup quarterback and worked his way to the top.
Becoming a key part of the varsity Cowboy defense, his commitment and dedication has been on full display with the University of Tulsa noticing him, offering him a Division I scholarship to which he committed.
“When Blake came in his junior year, we saw that he was extremely determined to play on the football field,” Coppell assistant Keenan Kitchens said. “He’s a kid that’s self willed and self motivated to an extreme level.”
Moving from California to Texas in seventh grade, Texas’s prestigious high school football reputation drew Isbell to try out for the CMSE team.
“I didn’t know football rules or how the game worked – I was just excited to play a new sport and see what Texas football was all about,” Isbell said.
Isbell found himself on the sidelines as a backup quarterback on the C team. Undeterred, he amped up his training and practice, working his way up to the B team in eighth grade and the A team as a freshman.
“What I appreciate about Blake is that when it’s time to practice football, he puts his hard hat on and goes to work. Blake doesn’t take any plays off or practices off, he goes to work every day,” Kitchens said.
Recognizing his potential, Isbell’s freshmen coaches encouraged him to make the switch from quarterback to the defensive side of the ball, where he settled into the linebacker position.
“I wasn’t satisfied with where I was,” Isbell said. “Becoming a lineman ignited my passion and love for football, and I started setting goals for myself.”
His dedication carried him to the varsity team as a sophomore, where coaches observed his hard work and determination. As a senior, Isbell continuously pushes himself the extra mile, always striving to improve.
“I’ve watched Blake grow from a wide-eyed young sophomore who was just trying to fit into the team, to now,” Kitchens said. “Through sheer hard work and determination, he has demanded a lot of respect from his teammates and the coaches.”
Isbell’s training doesn’t stop at Coppell practice. His athleticism and explosiveness on the field is an asset. He has been conditioning for the past four years during the offseason with trainer Bernard Daniel, who also trains other Coppell players including senior linebacker Weston Polk.
“Blake’s the kid that comes in with his mind already set to dominate the workout each day,” Daniel said. “Even at 5 a.m. practices, he’s always on time and early. I rarely ever have to motivate Blake because he attacks every single workout like it’s his absolute last.”
Isbell’s versatility as a defensive player at both defensive tackle and defensive end makes him a crucial part of Coppell’s defense.
“He’s been a big puzzle piece to our defense this year,” Kitchens said. “When you get Blake on the field, you’ll get a motor that runs 100 miles an hour, a kid who plays extremely fast and physically. That’s always a good thing for us.”
Known for his quiet leadership and kind nature, Isbell is a relentless competitor on the field.
“Blake is a lead-by-example type of guy,” Kitchens said. “He’s not one that’s very vocal, but he helps us get lined up. He’s very aware of certain situations on the field and communicates that it’s important for everybody to do their job,”
With his future as a Golden Hurricane, Isbell has his eyes set on his goals: winning all-district honors in high school, all-conference honors at Tulsa and eventually towards his dream of becoming drafted into the National Football League.
“Blake is a very kind person, but he’s an absolute animal when it comes down to football, even so much so that he’s another person out on the field,” Daniel said. “Over the years he’s developed a type of dog mentality, where he became hungry because he had goals and a dream to hit.”
Being a part of Coppell football has not only shaped Isbell’s athletic career but influenced many other parts of his life, from building lifelong friends to solidifying his decision to pursue football as a career.
“At the end of the day, Coppell football is a huge family. I’ve built forever relationships with these guys,” Isbell said. “Seeing upperclassmen fulfill their dreams inspired me to do the same, to commit to a future in football.”
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