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| SportsTuesday, October 16, 2007 11:30 PM CDT |
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Wiggins triumphs as offensive lineman for ISU
NORMAL — Growing up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood on the west side of Chicago, Isaiah Wiggins got involved in after-school activities at Prosser High School. He felt it was the best way to sidestep the ample opportunities to get into trouble. Upon receiving no scholarship offers to play college football, Wiggins decided to walk on at Illinois State. Consider Wiggins two-for-two on critical, life-changing decisions. Wiggins has transformed himself from a raw but athletic 245-pounder in 2003 to one of the top offensive linemen in the Football Championship Subdivision during a rags to riches ISU career. “It’s a great story about a guy taking an opportunity and really going after it,” said Redbirds’ coach Denver Johnson. “One of the first things we were impressed with was how hungry he seemed to be to improve. He really worked hard and wanted to be coached. He started moving in the right direction almost immediately.” Wiggins’ initial goal at ISU was modest enough. “I just wanted to make the team,” he said. “I never expected to basically be a four-year starter and do the things I’ve done. I set the goal to do the best I can. I didn’t think I had much of a chance in college, but with hard work and dedication it turned out for the best.” Johnson and his staff thought enough of Wiggins’ potential to begin the molding process. “He was exceedingly raw coming out of high school as far as fundamentals and technique,” said the ISU coach. “But he was a smart kid, a good kid and a big kid. He seemed really driven to make it and he did.” Wiggins was put on partial scholarship after his redshirt season of 2003. Playing in all 11 games in 2004 led to a full scholarship. “It was a dream come true. I never thought I would be a scholarship player,” Wiggins said. “Coming from where I came from, I really needed it. I had to keep working hard so I could keep it. That was my mentality. That’s what kept me hungry.” A computer science major on track to get his degree in May, Wiggins was a reserve in 2004 until starting center Jeremy Melville suffered a season-ending injury. With a team leader suddenly unavailable, Wiggins was called upon to fill the void. “It was one of the most challenging things I ever had in my life,” he said. “I hadn’t taken snaps at center. I didn’t have my wrists taped. I just went out there and played. I knew the playbook, but I didn’t know it that much. They kept it simple and I got through it. After that, I was fine.” Although Johnson believes Wiggins could play center, guard or tackle if needed, the now 290-pounder has been the Redbirds’ left tackle since 2005 and earned first team all-Gateway Conference honors in 2006. His 35 career starts match defensive back Jesse Caesar for the most on the team. “He paid his own way (as a walk-on) because he wanted to be successful. He wanted to make it and earn his way,” said Johnson. “He’s got that certain intangible. He’s an earner, not a taker.” The reigning Gateway Offensive Lineman of the Week, Wiggins graded out at 98 percent in last Saturday’s 69-17 victory over Indiana State. “I had never given anything higher than 92 in my career. He blew it away,” said offensive line coach Rod Carey. “He is the most physically gifted offensive lineman I have. He’s a strong, powerful guy who has great quickness.” Wiggins has helped pave the way for ISU to rank second in the Gateway at 236.4 rushing yards per game. “I take a lot of pride in it,” he said. “We don’t get stats. But we get appreciation from the running backs and coaches so if feels real good.” Carey calls Wiggins a leader by example, but “all the words he says, people listen to.” Johnson teases the 22-year-old Wiggins by calling him “Father Time. He looks like a grown man out there and, particularly during two-a-days, he looks like an old man. “He is well respected on both sides of the ball and certainly by the coaching staff. There is nobody on this team I think more highly of than Isaiah.” Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports. E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
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Wiggy fan wrote on Oct 17, 2007 4:02 PM:
Good wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:33 AM:
Wiggins wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:21 AM:
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