Several RCTC football players commit to play at a higher level; another nod to a successful first year for Terrence Isaac

(ABC 6 News) — When one commits to play sports at a junior college, more times than not, there are aspirations to get to the next level (e.g. Division I, II, III).

In the past few weeks, several RCTC football players have secured offers and many are hitching their wagons to leave Rochester and take their talents to the next level.

In many ways, year one of the Terrence Isaac era was a success. The Yellowjackets touted one of the top defenses in the NJCAA: 3rd-fewest points allowed per game (15.2), 3rd-fewest passing yards allowed per game (134.7), most sacks (53), and most interceptions (30). Three defensive players were named All-Americans: Sylvester Ware, Joseph Tarnue, and De’Vonta’ Roberts.

The Yellowjackets came up short in the playoffs but the outstanding play of the team resulted in several players securing offers to schools at the next level.

Tarnue will be taking his talents to Alabama to play for Jacksonville State.

“I feel like it was a great spot for me defensively, the culture and all that,” Tarnue said. “Just a couple [of] weeks ago I went down there to do a visit. My mom loves it. I love it. The culture and staff are all welcoming. Everybody [is] on the same page. Just going there and seeing what the coaches [are] about, that’s the reason why I led to the decision of picking Jacksonville State.”

Roberts will stay in Minnesota and take his talents to Bemidji State.

“The culture, the coaching staff, the school,” Roberts said when asked his reasons for picking the Beavers. “Their defense is like our defense and I fit well. They’re just missing the nickel piece and I just fit in well.”

Offensive lineman Tyree Ready — who was at the heart of a rushing attack that was fifth in the NJCAA Divison III in touchdowns — will take his talents to Montana State-Northern.

“They showing me the love that I needed,” Ready said. “And also the team doesn’t have a good record and I want to be a part of that change.”

There’s a slew of other guys who have committed, showing the culture head coach Terrence Isaac and his staff built works.

While the guys of this rendition’s Yellowjacket’s tenure is over, they all had nothing but positive things to say about their time and what they will remember the most.

“Coach always stays hard on me,” Roberts said. “They always kept pushing me to be great, even though everything was so tough. Mentally tough, physically tough. They are going to always teach you that it’s all about your mind. Don’t let anybody take your mindset away. If you want to go get it then [go get it]. Coach McKinney, Coach Issac always taught me that.”

Tarnue relishes the commitment the coaches had to the players when they were not on the field. “They want you to be a better person off the field and on the field,” Tarnue said. “They did a great job of doing that.”

Ready says he will miss the camaraderie the most. “They were like family,” Ready said. “They brought me in like family. Everything was good here. I really enjoyed it.”