Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Versatile B. Creek football player to have busy summer

May 29, 2012 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365


By Don Ketchum

Isaiah Huston can forget about doing much relaxing this summer. He’s got too much work to do.

He will be attending numerous football camps, playing in various 7-on-7 passing leagues with his teammates from Anthem Boulder Creek and beginning preseason practice for his upcoming senior season.

The 6-foot, 175-pound Huston is expected to be one of the state’s most versatile players this fall.

He starts at wide receiver and safety, returns punts and kickoffs and even plays quarterback out of the Wildcat formation. Having all of those on his resume should land him a Division I football scholarship.

Huston has had contact from at least 20 big-school programs and likely will have more.

Some want him as a safety because of his instincts and ball-hawking ability and others like his body control and his ability to run after making the catch as a receiver.

He admits he “likes the ball in my hands, but I really have no (position) preference. It’s wherever I fit into a program the best.’’

A Boulder Creek teammate, cornerback Ryan McKinley, also has been receiving attention from colleges. Both are products of the Let it Fly Football Camp for players age 6-14 in Anthem, which runs each Saturday through the end of July. It is operated by Huston’s father, Mark, a former quarterback at Northern Arizona University and at Phoenix Shadow Mountain High.

Isaish’s current camp is at Peoria Sunrise Mountain for the annual NFL/High School/Coast Guard Football Camp.

On Friday (June 1), he will be in El Paso, Texas for the UTEP Summer Football Camp, and on Saturday will participate in the San Diego State Summer Football camp in the Los Angeles area.

The recruiting process can be hectic, but Huston said “it is exciting. I’ve always wanted to play college football ever since I can remember. Hearing from these coaches, you want them to like you and you want to get a good feel for them.’’

There usually is someone contacting him every day.

“You want to be focused on that, but you also want to make sure you’re ready for your senior season,’’ Huston said.

He is looking forward to contributing to the Jaguars in many different ways.

The preparation already includes adding more muscle and strength and speed training, “because I know I will be called on to do a lot,’’ Huston said.

Huston played basketball as a freshman and sophomore and participated in track as a sophomore, but backed off of those to focus on football last year. He said he is considering returning to basketball this winter.

And he realizes the importance of academics. His grade-point average hovers above 3.0 and he says history is his favorite subject.

“Studying and playing football can be difficult, but you can do it if you manage your time,’’ he said.