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Isaiah Stanback
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Isaiah Stanback
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Isaiah Ramon Stanback (born August 16, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a quarterback for the Washington Huskies. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played in the NFL for the Cowboys, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Stanback attended Garfield High School in Seattle, Washington, where he played football, basketball, and baseball.

Junior (2000)

[edit]

As a junior, he tallied 1,653 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. He was selected as one of just three "blue chip" players by the Seattle Times.

Senior (2001)

[edit]

Stanback passed for 1,628 yards (second among Washington state Class 4A quarterbacks) and 12 touchdowns, and added 700 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in 2001 for 2-7 Garfield High School. His passing total ranked second among Washington state Class 4A quarterbacks. He had his best game of 2001 against Inglemoor High School, totaling 399 yards passing and three touchdowns. He was an all-KingCo Conference pick again, in 2001. He was the first "blue chip" quarterback since 1998.

He was one of eight Tacoma News-Tribune "Northwest Nuggets". He was a member of the Tacoma News-Tribune's "Western 100". He was an all-KingCo Conference pick. Stanback earned PrepStar and SuperPrep All-American honors. He was a member of PrepStar's Top 125 Dream Team. He was also, the fifth-rated quarterback in the nation according to SuperPrep. Stanback was the ranked the #23 player nationally in SuperPrep's "Elite 50". He was the #1 player in SuperPrep's Washington 22. He rated 14th among all quarterbacks nationally, fourth in the West Region, by PrepStar. Stanback was also listed by PrepStar as one of the top-three run-pass combination quarterbacks in the nation. He was one of the nation's Top 101 recruits according to Student Sports Magazine. He was also, considered the third-best "athlete" on the West Coast by PacWest Football. He was rated #23 nationally among prep quarterbacks by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report. He also played on the baseball team.

College career

[edit]

Following high school, Stanback accepted a football scholarship from the University of Washington.

Redshirt freshman season

[edit]

In 2002, Stanback was redshirted for the season. During the 2003 spring game he went 4-of-9 for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Freshman season

[edit]

In 2003, Stanback played in 11 games, mostly as a wide receiver. He also returned kicks and practiced with the quarterbacks. He was 2-for-2 passing during the season. Stanback's quarterback duties were limited to late-game situations versus Indiana and Idaho. On the season Stanback caught ten passes for 143 yards, leading the team with a 14.3 average per reception. He had four catches for 82 yards vs. Arizona, including a career-long 41-yarder. He also rushed for a total of 25 yards from the quarterback position. He also returned eight kickoffs, averaging 16.6 yards per return. He returned seven kickoffs against California, tying the school single-game record for returns in a game.

Sophomore season

[edit]

In 2004, in the seventh game against number one ranked USC, he became just the second African-American to start at quarterback for the University of Washington (Warren Moon was the first one).[1] He played in five games at quarterback against Fresno State, Oregon State, USC, Arizona and Washington State.

He was second on the team behind Casey Paus with 389 passing yards. He scored his first career rushing touchdown in the season opener against Fresno State. He registered 11-of-29 for 219 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in just three quarters of action against Oregon State, also leading the team with 51 yards rushing. He averaged 19.9 yards per completion against Oregon State (fifth in school history).

He finished the year on a high note, coming off the bench to complete five of eight passes for 100 yards in the Apple Cup against Washington State, including connecting with Craig Chambers for a 39-yard scoring play and rushing for one touchdown.

He ran track during the winter of 2004, qualifying for the indoor conference championships in the 60-meter dash.

Junior season

[edit]

In 2005, Stanback started all 11 games at quarterback. On the season his recorded 2,136 yards were the 15th most in school history. He averaged 194.2 passing yards per game, 11th-most ever in school history. He also ran for 353 yards on 100 carries, with five touchdowns. He entered the school's all-time top-ten in total offense (2,489 yards, tenth), and total offense per game (226.3, eighth). Stanback was named the Sports Radio 950 KJR Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the team's postseason banquet.

Stanback led the Huskies to win at Arizona, completing 10-of-19 for 157 yards and one touchdown, along with a career-high 96 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He completed a career-long 69-yard touchdown pass to Craig Chambers on a Hail Mary pass as the first half expired in Arizona, sparking the Washington win. He also, had a good day vs. #1 USC, completing 14-of-18 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown, while also scoring on a run. He completed 19-of-27 passes for 242 yards against Air Force, with no interceptions and one touchdown. He surpassed the 300-yard passing mark twice, vs. Cal (301) and Notre Dame (with a career-high 353). His passing total at Notre Dame was the 14th-most ever at Washington. He also set a career-high for attempts (40) vs. Notre Dame.

Stanback then ran track for Washington in the spring. He placed fifth in the finals of the 100-meter dash at the Pac-10 Championships. He was sixth at the West Regional meet at Brigham Young University, missing an NCAA Championships berth by just .02 seconds. He ranks among Washington's all-time top-ten in the 100-meter dash (10.48, eighth) and 4x100-meter relay (40.07, seventh) outdoors, and the 60-meter dash (6.80, eighth) indoors. His 100-meter best ranks third all-time among Washington football players who have competed in track (Ja'Warren Hooker, 10.18; Sterling Hinds, 10.27).

Senior season

[edit]

In 2006, Stanback opened the season with solid game vs. San Jose State, passing 16-for-25 for 168 yards, one touchdown, one interception, while rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. He set new career highs for carries and rushing yards against. San Jose. In the game at Oklahoma Stanback was 9-of-22, 139 yards passing. He led Huskies to a win over Fresno State going 15-of-26, 151 yards, zero interceptions, two touchdown passes, 12 carries for 91 yards and one rushing touchdown. He accounted for 248 of Washington's 249 yards of total offense vs. UCLA going 18-for-29 for 200 yards, one interception and three touchdown passes, along with 13 carries for 48 rushing yards. Stanback went 14-of-25 for 293 and two touchdowns in win at Arizona. He went 17-of-38, zero interceptions, two touchdowns, and 212 yards at USC. Stanback injured foot in a loss to Oregon State (12-of-24, 162 yards; 11 carries, 11 yards, two rushing touchdowns). He had season-ending foot surgery October 17 on his badly sprained right foot.

He ended up ranked in numerous school career and single-season statistical categories: second in career passing yards per completion with 14.38; third in career rushing yards by a quarterback with 794; fourth in career yards of total offense per game with 6.16; sixth in career passing yards per attempt with 7.40; sixth in career rushing attempts by a quarterback with 234; tenth in career total offense with 4,662 yards; eleventh in career passing with 3,868 yards; eleventh in career attempts with 523; 12th in career completions with 269; 14th in career touchdown passes with 22.

College statistics

[edit]
Career Statistics Passing Rushing Receiving Return
Year Team GP GS Comp Att Comp % Yards YPA TD INT LNG QB Rating Att Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Y/R TD LNG KR Yards Y/R FC TD LNG PR Yards Y/R FC TD LNG
2002 Washington Huskies 0 0 0 00.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00.0 0 0 0 0 00.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003 Washington Huskies 11 0 2 2 100.0 18 9.0 0 0 7 175.6 8 25 3.1 0 10 143 14.3 0 41 8 133 16.6 0 0 87 0 0 0 0 0 0
2004 Washington Huskies 7 1 23 68 33.8 389 5.7 3 3 26 87.6 41 66 1.6 2 1 3 3.0 0 3 0 0 00.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2005 Washington Huskies 11 11 143 264 54.2 2,136 8.1 9 6 69 128.8 100 353 3.5 5 1 0 00.0 0 0 0 0 00.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2006 Washington Huskies 8 8 101 189 53.4 1,325 7.0 10 3 36 122.9 85 350 4.1 4 0 0 00.0 0 0 0 0 00.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 37 20 269 523 51.4 3,868 7.4 22 12 36 122.85 234 794 3.4 11 12 146 12.2 0 41 8 133 21.7 0 0 87 0 0 0.0 0 0 0

Baseball

[edit]

In 2006, Stanback was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2006 MLB June Draft despite not playing baseball in college. He turned down the offer so he could play football.

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Bench press
6 ft 2+3⁄8 in
(1.89 m)		 216 lb
(98 kg)		 33 in
(0.84 m)		 9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 22 reps
All values from NFL Combine[2][3]

Dallas Cowboys

[edit]
Stanback began his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Stanback was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (103rd overall) in the 2007 NFL draft.[4] Despite playing mostly as a quarterback in college, he was drafted with the intention of being converted into a wide receiver. He was active for two games in his rookie season, but did not record any receptions.

In 2008, he was active for eight games, catching two passes for 24 yards in the opener against the New York Giants. On December 26, he was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. On September 5, 2009, he was waived after being passed on the depth chart by undrafted rookie Kevin Ogletree and struggling with injuries during his time with the team.[5]

New England Patriots

[edit]

On September 6, 2009, Stanback was signed to the practice squad of the New England Patriots as a quarterback.[6] On November 14, he was promoted to the active roster, when the Patriots placed rookie wide receiver Brandon Tate on injured reserve.[7] He caught his first pass as a Patriot from Tom Brady the next day, in the Patriots' Week 10 game against the Indianapolis Colts.

He was active for six of the Patriots' final eight games of the season, finishing with three receptions for 22 yards. He also returned one kickoff for 22 yards. He was waived on May 27, 2010.[8]

Seattle Seahawks

[edit]

On June 1, 2010, Stanback was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks.[9] On August 7, he tore his left Achilles tendon during practice. On August 8, he was waived injured and placed on injured reserve.[10] On September 3, 2011, he was placed on injured reserve again, and released with an injury settlement on October 8.

New York Giants

[edit]

On November 29, 2011, he was signed to the New York Giants' practice squad as a wide receiver.[11] He would remain there as the team went on to win Super Bowl XLVI. He was waived on August 31, 2012.[12]

Jacksonville Jaguars

[edit]

On December 4, 2012, he was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad and converted into a tight end.[13] On December 17, he was promoted to the active roster.[14] In 2013, he struggled with a quadriceps injury and was released on August 27.[15]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Career Statistics Receiving Return
Year Team G Rec Yards Y/R TD LNG KR Yards Y/R TD LNG
2007 Dallas Cowboys 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 3 78 26.0 0 0
2008 Dallas Cowboys 8 2 24 12.0 0 15 10 218 21.8 0 58
2009 New England Patriots 2 3 22 7.3 0 9 – – – – –
Total 12 5 46 9.2 0 15 13 296 22.8 0 58

Personal life

[edit]

Stanback was a part of the WWE Performance Center at Full Sail University in Florida, training to become a wrestler. He made an appearance on Netflix's Ultimate Beastmaster as a contestant for Team America, failing the second obstacle in the first round, which resulted in him placing last.

Stanback and his wife Natalie’s oldest daughter, Nadia, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in April 2015 at the age of three. Over the ensuing years, the family has been active in type 1 diabetes education.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Isaiah Stanback

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Isaiah Stanback (born August 16, 1984) is a former wide receiver and who played professionally in the (NFL) for six seasons from 2007 to 2013. A native, Stanback excelled in multiple sports at Garfield High School and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 45th round of the , though he opted to pursue football at the , where he transitioned from to and earned All-Pac-10 honors as a senior in 2006. Selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (103rd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft, Stanback appeared in 22 games across his career, primarily contributing on special teams with 14 kickoff returns for 318 yards and recording 6 receptions for 52 yards as a receiver. He suited up for the Cowboys (2007–2008), New England Patriots (2009), Seattle Seahawks (2010), New York Giants (2011–2012), and Jacksonville Jaguars (2012–2013), earning a Super Bowl championship ring with the Giants after their victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Plagued by injuries that led to five surgeries during his playing days, Stanback retired after the 2013 season and pivoted to media and business, becoming a three-time Lone Star Emmy Award-winning analyst for the and (joining in 2024), co-hosting the podcast Talkin' Cowboys, and founding Steadfast Fitness & Performance, a wellness center focused on and athlete training.

Early life

Family background

Isaiah Stanback was born on August 16, 1984, in Seattle, Washington. He is the son of Nita Aneise Williams and Ken Stanback, though his parents separated early in his life, and he was primarily raised by his single mother in Seattle's Central District, a neighborhood often described as challenging. Stanback has two older siblings: a brother, Jamar, who excelled in , and a sister, Teya, who pursued a career in . Despite family challenges stemming from the single-parent household and limited opportunities in the community, Stanback grew up in a supportive environment that emphasized and resilience as essential fallbacks beyond athletics. His mother played a pivotal role in fostering this mindset, encouraging him to prioritize schooling while providing unwavering support during personal and athletic setbacks, such as nearly convincing him not to quit football during tough times. Initially, his father opposed Stanback's involvement in football due to his own experience with a severe back injury sustained while playing the sport in high school. Stanback's early exposure to sports began around age six through local Seattle community activities and school programs, where he first took up as a , sparking a multi-sport interest that his family nurtured despite the obstacles. This foundation in the Central District's youth scenes helped cultivate his ambition, drawing inspiration from his siblings' successes in their respective fields.

High school career

Isaiah Stanback attended Garfield High School in Seattle, Washington, graduating in the class of 2002. As the starting quarterback for the Garfield Bulldogs, Stanback emerged as a dual-threat talent during his junior year in 2000, passing for 1,653 yards and 13 touchdowns while earning All-KingCo Conference honors. In his senior year, he threw for 1,628 yards and 12 touchdowns—ranking second among Washington state Class 4A quarterbacks in passing—while adding over 700 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, securing All-KingCo honors for the second straight season. One of his standout performances came against Inglemoor, where he passed for 399 yards and 3 touchdowns. His accomplishments earned him widespread recognition, including Seattle Times "blue chip" status as the first quarterback since 1998, Tacoma News-Tribune "Northwest Nuggets" and "Western 100" selections, PrepStar and SuperPrep All-American honors, and a spot on the PrepStar Top 125 Dream Team. Nationally, SuperPrep ranked him as the fifth-best quarterback, while he appeared in elite lists such as the SuperPrep Elite 50 (No. 23), PrepStar's top run-pass quarterbacks (No. 3), and Tom Lemming's national quarterback rankings (No. 23). Stanback also excelled in baseball as a center fielder for Garfield, where he was a standout contributor on the Bulldogs' team and drew early interest from college scouts. In the recruitment process, Stanback fielded scholarship offers from programs including USC—which sought to transition him to —and Arizona State, where coaches emphasized his potential at . He ultimately committed to the in February 2002, influenced by head coach Rick Neuheisel's assurance of an opportunity to play in his home state.

College career

Redshirt freshman season (2002)

Isaiah Stanback, a highly recruited from Seattle's High School, enrolled at the in 2002 on a football after receiving offers from programs including USC and Arizona State. As a true , he was redshirted for the entire season to preserve a year of eligibility, enabling him to acclimate to the college level without competing in games. Under head coach , who had recruited him, Stanback was listed on the depth chart as a and focused on mastering the Huskies' offensive system through intensive practice sessions and team meetings. This developmental approach allowed him to build foundational skills while observing the team's dynamics firsthand. As a native raised in the city's Central District, Stanback integrated smoothly into the community, appreciating the program's alignment with his personal values and cultural background. Academically, he planned to pursue a degree in business marketing, prioritizing the long-term benefits of higher education alongside his athletic pursuits.

Freshman season (2003)

In 2003, Isaiah Stanback transitioned from his redshirt year to his first playing season at the , serving as a backup behind starter on a team adjusting to significant coaching upheaval. had been fired in June 2003 amid NCAA violations and contract disputes, leading to offensive coordinator being promoted to ; the Huskies finished the year with a 6–6 overall record and 4–4 mark in the Pac-10 Conference, tying for fifth place. Stanback appeared in 11 games, primarily contributing on offense and special teams while seeing limited snaps at due to Pickett's heavy workload. He completed both of his two pass attempts for 18 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, including his first career completion—a 5-yard pass against on September 6—and a 13-yard completion against on September 20. These opportunities highlighted his preparation from the prior redshirt season, where he had absorbed the offensive system without playing. On the ground, Stanback carried the ball 8 times for 25 yards, showcasing early dual-threat potential in mop-up duty and designed runs. The Huskies' season was marked by inconsistency amid the transition, with Pickett throwing for over 3,000 yards but the team struggling defensively and in the run game.

Sophomore season (2004)

In 2004, Isaiah Stanback's sophomore season at the University of Washington marked a transition to a more prominent role on a struggling Huskies team that finished with a 1–10 overall record and 0–8 in the Pac-10 Conference under head coach Keith Gilbertson. The program was in a rebuilding phase following a 6–6 campaign the previous year, grappling with offensive inconsistencies and injuries at quarterback. Stanback, who had gained limited backup experience in 2003, stepped up midway through the season after starter Casey Paus struggled and sustained injuries, becoming the third different starting quarterback for the Huskies that year. He appeared in five games, taking significant snaps in four of them, including starts against Oregon State, USC, and Washington State. Stanback completed 23 of 68 passes for 389 yards, throwing 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions while posting a 33.8% completion rate. His mobility added a dynamic element to Washington's option-style offense, as he rushed 41 times for a net of 66 yards (after 85 yards lost on sacks) and scored 2 rushing touchdowns. One highlight came in a 29–14 loss to Oregon State on October 16, where he threw for a season-high 219 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11-of-29 passing, while rushing for 51 yards. In the against rival Washington State, he contributed 100 passing yards and 1 touchdown in a narrow 28–25 defeat, though the team managed just one win all season, over San Jose State. Despite the team's poor performance, Stanback's increased playing time demonstrated his potential as a , setting the stage for further opportunities in subsequent seasons amid the program's coaching changes.

Junior season (2005)

In 2005, Isaiah Stanback solidified his role as the full-time starting for the , appearing in all 11 games and earning the start in each contest. Under new head coach , Stanback demonstrated versatility in leading the offense, completing 143 of 264 passes for 2,136 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, while adding significant contributions on the ground with 100 rushing attempts for 353 yards and 5 touchdowns. These efforts resulted in over 2,400 total offensive yards for the season, marking a breakout performance that built on his prior experience splitting time between and . One of Stanback's standout games came on October 22 against the No. 1-ranked , where he completed 14 of 18 passes for 201 yards and 1 , while also rushing for a 1-yard score in a 51-24 loss. His dual-threat ability was evident throughout the season, as he ranked 27th nationally in total offense at 271.4 yards per game early on, helping to energize an offense that averaged 358 total yards per contest. Despite Stanback's development, the Huskies finished with a 2-9 overall record and 1-7 mark in Pac-10 play, reflecting ongoing defensive struggles but signs of offensive progress in Willingham's inaugural year. Stanback's leadership contributed to victories over (34-6) and (38-14), where he rushed for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns in the latter, showcasing his mobility in key moments.

Senior season (2006)

Stanback entered his senior season as the starting for the , leveraging his prior experience from three years under center to lead the team's offense. His dual-threat ability was central to the Huskies' improved performance early in the year, as he started all seven games before a season-ending Lisfranc foot injury in the October 14 matchup against Oregon State. In those games, Stanback completed 101 of 189 passes for 1,325 yards and 10 touchdowns with just three interceptions, while adding 85 rushes for 350 yards and four rushing scores. He ranked second in the Pac-10 in total offense at the time of his injury, showcasing his versatility and contributing significantly to the team's balanced attack. One of his standout performances came on October 7 against the 17th-ranked , where he threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-38 passing, while rushing for 72 yards, though the Huskies lost 20–26. For his efforts, Stanback earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors as a . Stanback's injury contributed to the team's struggles in the final five games, and the Huskies finished the season with a 5–7 record.

Passing Statistics

YearClassGamesCompletionsAttemptsYardsTDsINTs
FR11221800
SO6236838933
JR11143264213696
SR81011891325103
Career3626952338682212

Rushing Statistics

YearClassGamesAttemptsYardsTDs
2003FR118250
2004SO641662
2005JR111003535
2006SR8853504
Career3623479411

Receiving Statistics

YearClassGamesReceptionsYardsTDs
2003FR11101430
2004SO6130
2005JR11100
2006SR8000
Career36121460
Stanback's statistical profile evolved with his shift from as a to primary duties by his junior and senior years.

College baseball career

Stanback, a standout at Garfield High School in , drew college interest for his baseball talents, leading him to join the Huskies team in addition to the football program. Listed as a on the 2003 Huskies baseball roster, Stanback was expected to contribute in the spring season while managing his redshirt status in football. However, the overlapping schedules of baseball's spring campaign and football offseason conditioning created significant conflicts, resulting in no game appearances for him that year. He remained affiliated with the team into the 2004 season but similarly saw no playing time, as his focus shifted toward football development. Despite limited involvement in college baseball and no recorded statistics, Stanback's high school athletic profile earned him a selection by the in the 45th round (1,342nd overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft. He opted not to sign, choosing instead to prioritize his football career at Washington.

Professional football career

Dallas Cowboys (2007–2008)

Isaiah Stanback was selected by the in the fourth round, 103rd overall, of the as a , following a college career at the where he transitioned from to demonstrate strong receiving skills, including 72 receptions for 921 yards in his senior year. During training camp, the Cowboys converted him from his college position to and emphasized his potential for special teams contributions to aid his adaptation to the professional level. In his rookie season of , under head coach , Stanback appeared in 2 games without starting, recording no receptions or rushes but contributing on special teams with 3 kickoff returns for 78 yards. He earned a spot on the 53-man roster through his athletic versatility, despite minor injury concerns during the position switch that limited his offensive . Stanback's second season in 2008 saw him play in 8 games, again without starts, where he caught 2 passes for 24 yards on 3 , including a 15-yard reception, while primarily serving as a special teams player with 10 kickoff returns for 218 yards. A preseason shoulder dislocation caused him to miss the first four weeks and led to time on injured reserve late in the year, but his multi-role utility on returns and coverage helped secure his roster position amid the injuries. Phillips praised Stanback's route-running and post-catch strength, viewing him as a developing versatile asset similar to players like .

New England Patriots (2009)

After being released by the Dallas Cowboys in early September 2009, Isaiah Stanback signed with the ' practice squad on September 7, primarily as a with emergency quarterback duties. His prior experience on special teams with the Cowboys, where he had returned kicks and punts, contributed to his appeal as a versatile depth player. During his time on the , Stanback provided valuable depth at , participating in drills that simulated game scenarios and helping prepare the starters against defensive looks. He gained significant exposure to Tom Brady's offense in these sessions, catching numerous practice passes from the and absorbing the nuances of the Patriots' system. On November 14, 2009, Stanback was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster following an injury to Brandon Tate. In his six regular-season games that year, Stanback recorded three receptions for 22 yards in Weeks 10 and 11, all from passes thrown by Brady, marking his first catches as a Patriot. He also contributed on special teams, returning 1 kickoff for 22 yards. Stanback did not appear in the Patriots' divisional playoff loss to the . The Patriots finished the 2009 regular season with a 10–6 record, securing the AFC East title and advancing to the playoffs under head coach Bill Belichick. Stanback's limited role underscored his position as a depth and special teams option during a competitive campaign led by Brady, who threw for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Seattle Seahawks (2010)

Stanback, a Seattle native who starred as a quarterback for the University of Washington Huskies, returned to his hometown when the Seahawks claimed him off waivers from the New England Patriots on June 1, 2010. This move marked his first professional opportunity with the Seahawks under new head coach Pete Carroll, who had recently taken over the team. Stanback was expected to contribute primarily on special teams as a return specialist and gunner, with potential for limited snaps at wide receiver given his versatile athletic background. However, his tenure was cut short before the began. On , 2010, during a practice, Stanback suffered a torn left , leading to his placement on injured reserve and causing him to miss the entire 2010 season. He appeared in zero games for the Seahawks, recording no statistics. The Seahawks, in their inaugural year under Carroll, finished the season with a 7–9 record.

New York Giants (2011–2012)

Stanback joined the on November 30, 2011, signing to the team's as a following his release from the . He remained on the for the final five games of the regular season, providing valuable depth and contributing to team preparations during the Giants' 9–7 campaign that secured a wild card playoff berth. Throughout the postseason, Stanback stayed with the Giants as they embarked on an improbable run to , defeating the 24–2 in the wild card round, the 37–20 in the divisional playoffs, and the 20–17 in overtime during the . The journey culminated in a 21–17 victory over the on February 5, 2012, at in , earning Stanback a championship ring as part of the organization. Although not elevated to the active roster for games, his presence on the practice squad supported the team's offensive and special teams preparations, leveraging his prior experience as a versatile player capable of lining up at , fullback, and on coverage units. Entering the 2012 season, Stanback returned to the Giants for , where he showcased his athleticism and versatility by occasionally taking snaps at and during practices and preseason contests. He appeared in three preseason games, including a standout moment on August 11 against the , where he hauled in a one-handed reception from David Carr, highlighting his receiving skills in limited opportunities. Stanback's background in special teams, particularly as a gunner from his time with earlier teams, positioned him as a potential contributor on coverage units, though he saw no regular-season action. His stint ended on August 31, 2012, when the Giants waived him as part of final cuts to reach the 53-man roster limit.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2012)

In December 2012, following his release from the amid recovery from a season-ending injury, Isaiah Stanback signed with the ' practice squad on December 5 and was promoted to the active roster on December 18. He appeared in the final two games of the 2012 regular season, recording one reception for six yards as a during the Jaguars' 24–10 loss to the on December 23. The Jaguars finished the 2012 season with a 2–14 record, the worst in franchise history at that point, under head coach , who was fired shortly after the campaign ended. Stanback's limited role reflected the team's struggles, as they ranked near the bottom of in offensive production and failed to win more than two games amid widespread injuries and inconsistency. Stanback remained with the Jaguars into the 2013 offseason, transitioning fully to while attempting a comeback from recurring issues that had plagued him since a 2009 meniscus repair. However, persistent limitations from the injury hampered his performance in and preseason, where he appeared in limited snaps before being waived on August 26, 2013. Following his release, Stanback underwent his fifth major surgery—an repair—effectively ending his playing career as he shifted focus to family and new ventures.

Receiving and Rushing Statistics

YearTeamGGSRecYdsAvgLgTDAttRush YdsAvgRush TD
200720000.000000.00
20088022412.0150000.00
2009NWE623227.390000.00
201000000.000000.00
2011NYG00000.000000.00
2012JAX20166.060000.00
Career1826528.7150000.00

Special Teams Statistics

Kickoff Returns

YearTeamGNo.YdsAvgLgTD
2007237826.0350
200881021821.8580
2009NWE612222.0220
20100000.000
2011NYG0000.000
2012JAX2000.000
Career181431822.7580

Punt Returns

YearTeamGNo.YdsAvgLgTD
20072000.000
20088000.000
2009NWE6000.000
20100000.000
2011NYG0000.000
2012JAX2000.000
Career18000.000
Special teams tackles were not recorded in available sources.

Post-playing career

Business ventures and education

After retiring from the in 2013 following multiple injuries during his time with the , Stanback pursued an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from the School of , completing the program that year through an NFL-affiliated initiative designed to aid players in transitioning to business careers. In the same year, Stanback co-founded Steadfast Fitness and Performance in , a initially spanning 1,500 square feet and focused on post-injury rehabilitation, conditioning, and overall wellness programs tailored for former professionals and everyday clients. The venture began with a modest $15,000 and grew to a 14,000-square-foot facility within three years, achieving profitability in its first year through client retention and expanded services like group workouts and recovery sessions. Beyond the gym, Stanback has engaged in wellness consulting, offering specialized and recovery advice drawn from his athletic background, and serves as a speaker on career transitions for ex-athletes, emphasizing resilience and at events such as expos and initiatives.

Broadcasting and media

After retiring from professional football in 2013, Isaiah Stanback began transitioning into sports media, initially focusing on podcasts and guest commentary to share insights from his playing experience across multiple teams. He hosted and appeared on shows such as the "Let Me Tell You Something" on the Dub Network and segments on , building his analytical profile through discussions on game strategy and player development. He also co-hosts the Talkin' Cowboys. This early media work laid the foundation for his professional growth, evolving from informal contributions to structured broadcast roles by the early 2020s. In 2023, Stanback joined (KTVT) as a radio and TV analyst for coverage, where he hosts the recurring "Stats with Stanback" segment, providing statistical breakdowns and predictions ahead of each game. His contributions earned him multiple Lone Star Emmy Awards for sports analysis, including the 2023 award for best and the 2025 award for studio analyst, recognizing his engaging delivery and expertise. Stanback also makes guest appearances on and other networks, offering commentary on topics like matchups and team dynamics, drawing directly from his on-field tenure. By 2024, Stanback expanded his national presence, joining as an on-air analyst and becoming a regular contributor to and Good Morning Football: Overtime. These roles highlight his progression to full-time media work, where he combines insider knowledge from teams like and Giants with data-driven analysis to inform audiences on league trends.

Personal life

Stanback is married to Natalie Stanback. They have three children, including their oldest daughter, Nadia, who was diagnosed with at the age of three. The family resides in , . Stanback and his family are active advocates for research and awareness.

References

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  68. https://x.com/IamSTANBACK
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