Isaiah Sayles

It has been a long journey to get to Springfield, Missouri for former Atchison native Isaiah Sayles but the journey is finally beginning to pay off.

The now junior on the Missouri State University football team, Sayles is beginning to make a name for himself as a defensive end and has shined so far this season with six total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack in pair of losses to No. 3 Oklahoma and Central Arkansas.

The road to Division I started for Sayles in Atchison as he played one year for the Redmen before transferring to Wagner High School in Texas where his senior year he recorded 100 tackles, 12 sacks and 51 tackles for loss.

Sayles then went the junior college route and attended San Diego Mesa Community College in San Diego where he led the team with 69 total tackles including 18 tackles for loss.

That led Sayles to his now home at Missouri State, which brings him back closer to his home roots in Atchison.

Sayles will look to continue his strong play for the Bears who have just one more game left on their fall schedule hosting Central Arkansas on Oct. 17 before a spring schedule that is set to begin on Feb. 20.