UMass Football: Q&A with Canadian DE target Isaiah Bagnah

Some programs, like UMass football, manage to take advantage of overshadowed high school prospects in Canada like defensive end Isaiah Bagnah.

With recruiting season in full swing for the 2018 off-season, UMass football is definitely one of the more overshadowed programs across the country. The Minutemen are hot on the recruiting trail at this moment, though, for one of the top defensive lineman north of the border for the 2019 cycle.

Three-star defensive end Isaiah Bagnah could end up being one of the best Group of Five recruits along the defensive line for the entire 2019 recruiting class in the nation. Much like the UMass football program, Bagnah doesn’t get the attention he deserves.

Much of the lack of attention coming the way of Bagnah is just because he is coming out of Canada. Bagnah has the size and speed to succeed at the college level, and could be a gem of a find for some school like UMass or the Old Dominion Monarchs.

We got the pleasure of catching up with Bagnah to get his perspective on the recruiting process for some of the schools like UMass and Old Dominion across the country.

Q: As an underrated prospect coming from north of the border, what do you want people to know about your game?

A: As an underrated prospect coming from up North I want people to know that with my skill level, talent, aggression And last but not least blessings from god to be great at the sport I love most, Holds great things for my future. Some people think that just cause I’m from Canada that it’s easier or not as competitive football so they end up over looking me most of the time. I disagree. How I showcase my technique and athletic abilities on the field I believe is not only similar but if not better than many athletes down south. Canadian athletes are on a come up and that’s a fact.

Q: You hold offers from some FBS programs now, are there any schools you would really like to play for/get an offer from?

A: Yes I’m extremely blessed to have the offers that I do at this point in my recruitment process. My top 3 teams that I have dreamt about playing for since I was a kid is Notre Dame, Texas Longhorns, And The Oregon Ducks.

Q: Your highlights show a consistent motor where you get off the line fast, but what do you feel is the strongest part of your skill set?

A: I try to utilize speed and aggression in every play or move I make off and on the line. But my strongest part of my skill set is something you can’t coach and that effort and violence. Every play no matter how tired or the circumstances in the game I always put 100% to the rock. My violence gives me the edge to shed blocks and get huge hits throughout the game.

Q: What do you find is the biggest challenge as an international college prospect?

A: I believe my biggest challenge as an international prospect is the exposer and recognition that I deserve. As an All-Canadian and the No. 1 defensive end in the country I’d like to think of that as a big deal but to most people or scouts down south I’m just another football player chasing a dream 100 miles out of reach.

Q: Is there any current college or pro player that you really look up to now?

A: As a DE/OLB hybrid I’ve really looked up to players I could relate to athletically and fundamentally. Ever since I saw Jason Pierre-Paul play on TV and just absolutely dominating the game, that’s when I knew how I wanted to play this sport. So ever since then I’ve always looked up to him. Studied his film, countless technique walk throughs of his highlights, and of course being his fan, keeping up to date with news surrounding him as well.

Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Way too early complete first round

Again, we would like to thank Isaiah Bagnah for taking the time to give us his take on the college football recruiting process, specifically involved with the UMass Minutemen and Old Dominion Monarchs. He also holds an offer from the Yale Bulldogs out of the Ivy League.