This past summer Arlington head football coach Scott Peach was having a discussion with his offensive coordinator Philip Nelson about ways to improve their team’s production on offense. A simple solution came to mind.
“Coach Nelson said, ‘Get the ball to number 45,’” Peach said.
Number 45 is receiver Isaiah Robertson, and the Colts have given him the ball more often. He has done an excellent job at producing more touchdowns, but not in the way he was expecting.
Robertson has scored 19 touchdowns this season, but only five have come from what he is best at: catching passes. Robertson has scored 12 touchdowns running the ball.
Robertson said he feels like an Arlington version of San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel, who frequently runs jet sweeps and helped the 49ers advance to the Super Bowl last season. Robertson said it was awkward at first, but it’s a role he relishes now.
“I love it. I get the ball quick and I didn’t have to make a move downfield to get it,” Robertson said. “I’ve adjusted to it.”
Robertson has continued his solid production as a receiver with 48 receptions for 592 yards. He also leads the Colts in rushing with 502 yards on 63 carries.
Robertson has been a critical part of Arlington compiling a 6-3 record, 4-2 in District 8-6A heading into Thursday’s regular-season finale against Arlington Martin (3-6, 3-3) at UT Arlington’s Maverick Stadium. Arlington needs to win or have Arlington Bowie (6-3, 6-0) beat South Grand Prairie (6-3, 4-3) on Thursday to make the playoffs. The game Arlington and Martin was moved from Choctaw Stadium approximately two weeks ago.
Peach said the goal for Robertson was to have him touch the ball 18 to 20 times a game. Robertson’s rushing role has increased considerably from last season, when he had 19 carries for 209 yards and two touchdowns. This season he often runs the ball from a Wildcat formation when Arlington is in the red zone.
Robertson has led Arlington in receiving in each of the past three seasons and has 1,695 career yards receiving with 13 touchdowns. He has verbally committed to SMU, switching from Texas Tech in July.
“Isaiah Robertson may be one of the top skill athletes in the history of Arlington High School football,” Peach said. “You want to have him touch the ball every chance you can.”
Robertson wears the number 45, uncommon for a receiver. He said the number four is honor of his late grandmother Ruby Tatum, who was born on April 4, while the number five represents his own birthday of April 5.
Ironically, running receiver routes is one of the football skills Robertson picked up relatively recently. He did not become a full-time receiver until the eighth grade when he had a growth spurt close to his current dimensions of six feet tall, 185 pounds.
Through grade school, however, he picked up most other skills. After starting to play football when he was five years old, Robertson also played tight end, quarterback, running back, defensive back and linebacker.
“Playing a running back growing up helped a lot for where I am today. It helps in making a man miss,” Robertson said. “Playing quarterback gives me a sense of what the defense is doing too. It really helps in reading a blitz.”
Robertson’s touchdown total includes two on punt returns, including a 53-yard score during a 60-24 win over South Grand Prairie on Sept. 27. Returning punts could be the football skill Robertson picked up last as he didn’t start doing it until this past spring.
Robertson volunteered to become a punt returner after Arlington’s top punt returner in 2023, Cooper Peach, graduated. Cooper – son of the coach – currently plays for Washington University in St. Louis. Robertson is averaging 25.1 yards per punt return.
Robertson picked up the skill with an eye on his future.
“Nine out of 10 times if you make a team in the NFL you will be on the kickoff return or punt return teams,” Robertson said. “I want to prepare myself to do that if that time comes.”
While returning punts may come in handy in the future, Robertson said he plans on being a full-time receiver at SMU. He said it is exciting watching the 8-1 Mustangs being currently ranked No. 13 in the College Football Playoff rankings and is looking forward to possibly catching passes from quarterback Kevin Jennings, a former South Oak Cliff standout.
Peach said he believes Robertson, who Peach says has a 4.0 grade point average, will enjoy the academic challenge of SMU as well. Robertson said he plans on majoring in business, and after football, plans on either being an entrepreneur, getting into real estate or having his own clothing and/or shoe business. Peach said he can see Robertson in SMU’s prestigious Cox School of Business.
Robertson said he understands that competition in business is fierce, especially in owning a clothing line. He said that what he is doing in an uncommon role for Arlington this year is preparing him for that challenge, and a lot more.
“Football isn’t just about a sport. It’s about building character. It will develop me into a man,” Robertson said. “It will help in making the best decisions, to be a good dad to my kids and to be a good husband to my wife.”
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