There certainly is a lot of hype around Isiah Pacheco as the former Rutgers football running back is set to build on his strong first training camp in the NFL.
Pacheco, who made his NFL debut last week for the Kansas City Chiefs in a preseason loss at the Chicago Bears, has been the buzz of his team’s training camp to date. A seventh round pick, Pacheco’s speed and strength has been impressive.
In fact, it seems like a day doesn’t go by where Pacheco isn’t earning some accolades from the Chiefs coaching staff, his teammates or the media for something he has done in camp.
Pacheco is handling it all in stride. When asked this week about keeping a level head with all the buzz, he pointed back to his time at Rutgers football and the past two seasons under head coach Greg Schiano.
“From coach Schiano, I say from F.A.MI.I.Y., Trust, CHOP – that mental toughness and perseverance,” Pacheco told reporters this week, citing the mantras of the Rutgers football program.
“Being able to focus all four quarters of the game is very hard to do. If you can do it (an) intense level, I say everything can fall into place.”
In his preseason debut, Pacheco had a long kickoff return of 37 yards as well as two runs for six yards and a catch for five yards. He got significant first-team reps in the process.
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Pacheco was also asked about the decision to leave Rutgers a year early with one year of eligibility left.
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Those who followed Pacheco’s career closely knew that he had the potential to stick in the NFL. But on a rebuilding Rutgers offense, Pacheco often had difficulty standing out as the offensive line simply didn’t allow him to showcase his skillset.
“I relied on me and my parents and coach Schiano. I was ready, I was ready to go out here and work,” Pacheco said. He also credited his agents for helping him through this process.
“I came with the mindset of being ready to play and being able to go out and execute whatever the coaches want me to do.”
Proud of you @isiah_pachecoRB! The sky is the limit! https://t.co/OijHmxB7qV
— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) August 15, 2022
This Saturday, Pacheco will play at home for the first time in front of one of the craziest fanbases in the NFL professional sports.
“I’m really excited, they say it is crazy, a lot of fans there,” Pacheco said.
“For me to be out there with a lot of fans, will bring a lot of juice to me as well.”
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