In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Isaac Hadac — a small-town New York athlete who played at multiple college football programs and has become one of the clearest voices on football training for young athletes.

If you spend any time around youth sports today, you see it everywhere: parents running their kid’s recruiting process. Parents controlling the Instagram account, sending the DMs, emailing coaches, even trying to negotiate offers.

But Isaac puts it plainly:

College coaches don’t want to talk to parents — they want to hear from the athlete.

Growing up far from major exposure, Isaac had to learn ownership the hard way. He didn’t have politics, connections, or a giant platform. What he did have was initiative — the willingness to message coaches himself, share film, follow up, and advocate for his own development. And that’s exactly what earned him opportunities at the next level.

But this conversation goes way deeper than recruiting mechanics.

Isaac breaks down the things young football players overlook long before the college process even begins. The habits that actually separate varsity from JV… and college-ready from not even close. Things like:

Footwork, discipline, conditioning, film study, and becoming coachable.

Not the highlight tapes. Not the gear. Not the 7v7 clout.

He talks about the difference between players who train skills and players who train standards. Why the best athletes he played with weren’t always the most talented — they were the ones who communicated, took criticism, prepared like pros, and made every rep matter.

And for parents, Isaac gives the reminder every family needs:

Support your kid. Encourage them. Help them stay organized.
But don’t drive the process for them.

Ownership is part of development — and coaches can see instantly when an athlete lacks it.

This episode covers:

• The #1 mistake parents make during the recruiting process

• Why coaches trust athletes who communicate for themselves

• What growing up in a small town taught Isaac about work ethic

• The football fundamentals athletes ignore but desperately need

• How to stand out to coaches without politics, exposure, or hype

• Why accountability beats talent in every locker room

• How athletes can build confidence through preparation, not perfection

• What parents can do that actually helps their athlete — and what hurts

  
  

Isaac’s story is a reminder that recruiting isn’t about being discovered — it’s about being ready. It’s about maturity, communication, and doing the uncomfortable work that most players skip.

At Athletes Untapped, we believe the recruiting process is just another part of an athlete’s growth — an opportunity to build character, independence, and ownership. Isaac embodies that message perfectly.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by h⁠ttps://athletesuntapped.com — the nation’s #1 platform for private sports coaching. Our mission is to help athletes reach their full potential by connecting them with great coaches who elevate both skill and mindset.

Listen weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for clips and highlights: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/