Bailey: From Brooksville to Brooklyn

It's no secret that the population of Hernando County has a heavy New York flavor. Over the years, transplants have poured in from the New York metropolitan area, particularly in Spring Hill.

Isaac Bailey III is turning the tables. Born and bred in Brooksville, the 17-year-old has only left Florida a handful of times, including a trip to New York City as a child.

This fall the current Nature Coast senior will move to the Big Apple, after signing to play football at ASA, a junior college with campuses in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

"It means a lot," Bailey said. "Not too many people in my family went to college, especially for football. It's a big thing for me because I like football a lot. I'm just trying to go all the way.

"... It's going to be a big change in my life. I haven't been out of the little town in Brooksville too many times. I have to adjust to the environment, the weather, all that; the big city."

Carrying the load

The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Bailey has never actually visited ASA's Brooklyn facilities that he'll attend, but when the Avengers came forward with an offer, he jumped at it.

"Ike is going to be a great football player for ASA," Nature Coast Head Coach Mark Nash said. "I don't think a lot of people know about ASA. It's a relatively new junior college on the East Coast, which is a great thing because it gives more of an opportunity for kids on the East Coast not to have to go out west.

"They're extremely excited about Ike. They loved him from the first minute they saw him and it's a perfect fit. Ike will do really well. He'll get the academic help he needs to get in a position to play at the next level.

"They've got a great record of getting kids to the Division I level. They feel like Ike can play at the Division I level and they feel they're the program that can get him there."

The 2010 season certainly provided Bailey ample opportunity to display his skills. As a junior, in his first varsity season, he started at cornerback, recording 46 tackles, picking off three passes and recovering two fumbles.

That didn't count a pivotal interception returned for a touchdown in a three-way district tiebreaker - also featuring Hernando and Crystal River - that helped send the Sharks to their fourth straight playoff berth.

He aptly filled the void of graduated All-State pick Mike Fields in the defensive backfield. His senior year brought an opportunity to replace All-State running back Tevin Drake.

Bailey proved equal to the task, rushing 179 times for a county-best 1,331 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

Quarterback/wide receiver and University of Florida commit Ja'Juan Story may have received the headlines, yet Bailey made arguably a greater impact in an offense that struggled to pass.

"I think he had a wonderful season," said Nash, who was in his first year with Nature Coast. "He led the area in rushing. It was unfortunate; our issues have been documented as a football team Xs and Os-wise.

"We struggled trying to get Ja'Juan involved. Ike ended up through default having to carry more of the load than we'd like, but he did a great job doing it."

Bailey also continued to play defensively (30 tackles, one interception and one fumble recoveries) and returned kicks. For his efforts, he earned a spot in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Classic.

Focus on defense

ASA wants Bailey to focus on cornerback, a role he'll gladly embrace. It's a position he played going back to his days in Hernando Youth League, which began at age 8.

His offensive contributions for the Sharks came more out of necessity than his personal desire. Someone had to fill in for Drake, who is actually Bailey's cousin on his mother's side.

"As I was growing up, I played running back, too," Bailey said. "My 12th-grade year I got a chance to run, so I took that chance.

"... I was happy. I was proud of myself. I got a lot of experience. It was one of my best years playing football."

So what allowed him to excel in just one complete season running the ball? Both Bailey and Nash agreed it was the same attribute that made him a quality defensive back, and caught the eye of the Avengers.

"His speed," Nash said. "That's what all the colleges pointed to. The Division I schools liked his speed and his ball skills. He just reacts so fast. He's got great hips, he's got great speed. He has all the tools to be a true cover corner.

"He needs to put on some weight. They'll put weight on him when he goes to college. But his speed, you can't coach that."

He will additionally need to improve his grades, as that held him back from a legitimate Division I opportunity. It's an issue he appears ready to attack in attempting to earn a degree in sports management and continue his pigskin pursuits.

"I just want to accomplish my academics first," Bailey said. "Then make it to a D-I college and go from there."

By the Numbers: Isaac Bailey III
RUSHING
YEAR                     ATT       YDS        AVG.      TD          LG
So                         007        036        5.14       01          13
Jr                          019        169        8.89       00          35
Sr                         179      1,331       7.44       11         95*
TOTALS                205      1,536       7.49       12         95*

DEFENSE
YEAR     SOLO     ASST     TTK   TFL    SK  QBP        CF           FR           BLK        PB           INT
So           00            02       02    0        0     0           0            0           0              0 0
Jr            30            16        46   0         0     0           1            2           0              4            3
Sr           19            11        30    0         0     0          2            1              0             2            1
TOTALS   49            29       78     0         0      0          3            3              0             6            4