Meet Isaiah Likely: Rising Star in the NFL

By Jason Bolton September 10, 2024 07:54

Photo by Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner

Isaiah Likely is an NFL fan and analyst favorite, as he has showcased his ability on the best stage you will find. We take a historic dive into Likely's upbringing and NFL career, focusing on the highlights of what he brings as a player and potentially projects at the next level.

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Early Life and Background

Coming from a sports family, Likely has been around athletics since he could remember. He went to Everett High School, and there, he did very well in football and basketball. If you ask members of his family, they will tell you how the young boy always had a love for football, and it was evident from an early age as he became one of the stars on his high school team.

The other side to Likely's success was the supportive environment he grew up in. His parents stressed the importance of education, discipline, and values, which he Likely took throughout his career. After completing his high school education, he enrolled at Coastal Carolina University, where he was inspired by college-level football.

College Career

The college career of former Coastal Carolina University standout Isaiah Likely was remarkable. He played tight end, amongst other positions, and was an extremely athletic player. Likely recorded 133 receptions at Coastal Carolina for 2,050 yards and an FCS-record-tying touchdown catch. Those numbers ranked him as one of the best student-athletes in school history and would still put him near the top for a tight end alone.

Likely graduated from Maryland in 2013, but he was already being praised for his great work on the field at various points throughout 2021. He received numerous honors, including a place on the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-American Second Team and the Walter Camp Foundation (WCFF) All-America Second Team. He has developed a reputation for being a clutch fan favorite, willing to make the big play.

NFL Draft and Transition

Isaiah's NFL transition likely started when the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He became the third-highest draft pick in Coastal Carolina history and the eighth player from that school to be selected into the NFL.

For Likely, going through the draft is an important step in becoming a professional. The Ravens are always looking for those with unique skill sets or versatility, and they think Likely has that. He likely entered his true freshman season with high expectations, as most analysts believed he would immediately be a factor on the field.

Professional Performance

Ever since signing with the Baltimore Ravens, he has done nothing but open even more eyes. He was a quick study as an NFL rookie, rapidly acclimating to their up-tempo game and proving that he could already play with some authority. He is an agile receiver who wins with great hands and plays the ball well in contested catch situations.

He has also built a nice rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson throughout his professional journey. His clutch plays came up huge in some of the biggest games for a team like the Ravens and helped turn him into a young rising star across the league.

Future Potential

Isaiah Likely has a bright future in the NFL regarding looking forward. Fans and analysts will inevitably already see his performances, but he has room to grow. He can emerge as an elite tight end in the league with continued development.

One area where Likely can likely improve is his blocking skills. As noted earlier, he's been pretty good at this aspect of the game, but improving his blocking chops would just add to that.

The transformation of Isaiah Likely from a talented high-schooler to an NFL top prospect is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and skills. Off his successful tenure in college and a hot start to the beginning of his career, he will likely be on course to join an elite list at tight end for the NFL. With a little help and a few touch-ups, this rookie wide receiver only stands to get better with time as he is smoothly acclimated into professional football.