To say that Isaiah Likely journey in the National Football League (NFL) has been captivating would be a massive understatement.
The rising football star from Cambridge, Massachusetts, followed an inspiring path from football prodigy at Malden High School and Everett High School to promising tight end for the Baltimore Ravens, one of the most historic and competitive teams in the NFL.
Likely’s career is more than just the story of a player full of athletic prowess, it’s also an example of how resilience and determination can help someone in the pursuit of their ultimate dream.
Table of Contents
Likely’s Early Life and High School Career
Born on April 18, 2000, Isaiah Likely discovered his love for football early in his life in Cambridge. His story playing the sport began at Malden High School, where he immediately impressed everyone with his talent to play at tight end.
As a junior at Malden, Likely caught 59 passes for 917 yards with 11 touchdowns, a performance that highlighted his potential and set the stage for his future success.
Then, his decision to transfer to Everett High School for his senior year was a turning point in his life, as it led to ESPN grading him as a three-star prospect. Likely had a few offers from big schools but in the end chose Coastal Carolina, which proved to be the right call.
Likely College Career at Coastal Carolina
The transition to the college level was the natural next step for Likely, and he made the most of his four years there, leaving a mark in the Sun Belt Conference while developing his skills to reach his full potential.
In 2018, Likely caught 12 passes for 106 receiving yards and five touchdowns in seven games as a freshman. His sophomore year was even more successful, as finished the season with 32 catches for 431 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.
His impact was recognized as he made the All-Sun Belt Conference third team. Likely’s junior year in 2020 was also impressive, as he finished with 30 receptions for 601 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games.
He led all Sun Belt tight ends with his 601 yards, and made the 2020 Pro Football Focus All-American second team in the process. Likely also made the 2020 Phil Steele Sun Belt Conference All-Conference first team.
In 2021, he finished with 59 receptions for 912 yards and an impressive 12 touchdowns in 13 games as a senior, while putting up a 138.6 QB rating when targeted, which was an elite number.
The outstanding performance he had as a senior earned him spots in the 2021 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-American second-team and in the 2021 Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American second-team, while also securing recognition as a first-team All-Sun Belt member.
How Likely Journey Inspires Young Athletes in Massachusetts
Likely’s story has been an inspiration for young athletes in Massachusetts. Click here to find more ways to engage with your favorite sports and athletes.
Likely has showcased the potential within Massachusetts’ vibrant sports culture, and his experiences in football and how he fought to get to where he’s at, highlight a path that aspiring athletes in the region can follow. Likey’s career is an example for people looking to make the most of their opportunities in life, not just in sports.
Sport in the current years is always connected with the gambling Gambling in Massachusetts, has undergone significant changes in recent years. With the legalization of casino gambling in 2011, the state entered a new era of gaming.
Today, Massachusetts boasts several casinos, including MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor, offering a wide range of gaming options from slot machines to table games like blackjack and poker.
Additionally, the state legalized daily fantasy sports in 2016, further expanding its gambling landscape. However, Massachusetts has yet to legalize online sports betting, despite growing pressure to do so from neighboring states and the increasing popularity of online gambling nationwide.
As the regulatory landscape evolves, Massachusetts continues to navigate the complexities of gambling laws while balancing the interests of stakeholders and the public.
NFL Draft and Rookie Season Achievements With the Baltimore Ravens
His career at Coastal Carolina was impressive and now it was time to chase another dream, playing the sport he loved professionally. All the hard work paid off when the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fourth round (139th pick overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
His NFL.com scouting report before the draft described him as a “tight end prospect with an intangible profile and positional traits that make him projectable to the next level. Likely was a winner in high school and played a pivotal role in the ascension of Coastal Carolina over the past two seasons.
He lacks a prototypical tight end frame and is an inconsistent blocker, but he runs well and filled up his career stat sheet with big plays.”
NFL.com projected him to get drafted in the fifth or sixth round, so his fourth round selection speaks volumes about the potential that the Ravens saw in him.
Joining the NFL was a deserved milestone, but it also brought a whole new set of challenges and goals.
The Ravens put a lot of trust in him, making him the second tight end on the depth chart behind the legendary Mark Andrews, a player who’s proven his caliber at the position over the years, and someone who ended up being a mentor for Likely.
Likely has a very promising rookie season, in which he appeared in 16 games, making two starts, and finished with 36 receptions on 60 targets for 373 yards and three touchdowns. Over the years, he proved his potential to be a significant contributor to the offense for years to come.
Likely first touchdown catch came in a 27-22 road win against the Buccaneers in Week 8 on October 27, 2022. He had his best game of the season in Week 18, when he caught eight passes for 103 receiving yards in a 27-16 road loss against the Bengals on January 8.
Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Opportunities in His Second Year in the League
Likely second year in the NFL was off to a slow start, and he still had a secondary role behind Mark Andrews. However, he had an opportunity to step up once Andrews suffered a severe left ankle injury in the Week 11 game against the Bengals on November 16.
Likely took over as the team’s starting tight end and made the most of the opportunity by catching 21 passes for 322 yards and five touchdowns in the following six games.
The young tight end shined in Week 14, when he caught five passes for 83 receiving yards and one touchdown in a 37-31 home overtime win against the Rams.
In Week 17, Likely achieved a significant milestone in his young career as he had his first multi-touchdown game after catching two passes for 42 receiving yards and two touchdowns in an impressive 56-19 home win against the Dolphins on December 31.
Overall, he finished the season with 30 catches on 40 targets for 411 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games, showing what he was capable of when getting a chance to play a bigger role.
Likely then played well in the Divisional Round game against the Texans on January 20, when he finished with two catches for 34 receiving yards and one touchdown in 34-10 home victory.
He then struggled in the AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, as he caught two passes on three targets for just 16 yards in a 17-10 home loss on January 28.
What’s Next for Isaiah Likely?
Look for Isaiah Likely to continue developing his already impressive skills while making a big impact in the league. Likely’s journey provides hope and inspiration to people all over the world.
The way he seizes his opportunities and shines under the brightest lights make him a role model to many. He’s not just a player to watch, he’s someone who exemplifies resilience and hard work.
