Isaiah Bond Earns First Round Grade on 2023 Game Film

Wide receiver Isaiah Bond transferred from Alabama to Texas after the 2023 season, but not before he made quite the impression on me.

His biggest play of 2023 came on this got-to-have-it game-winner that he caught from Alabama quarterback, Jalen Milroe.

Talk about clutch

Bond, Isaiah Bond (sorry couldn’t resist) looked every bit the part of an elite prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft based on his 2023 game film. I studied every play ⎯all 14 games. Bond lined up inside at slot receiver and sometimes he flanked out wide, but regardless of where he was lined up pre-snap, he was all over the field.

2023 stats:

• 48 catches on 77 targets (62.3%)
• 668 yards
• 13.9 average
• Four touchdowns

While those numbers don’t rock the draft board, on film he caught everything within his reach. There were more times than I could count how many of Milroe’s passes were too off-target (especially deep).

Bond looked the part ⎯he looked like he has everything it will take to star in the NFL.

It was hard to come up with a comp for Bond. Former Ohio State and current Commanders’ wide receiver Terry McLaurin kept going through my mind while watching him on film, but he also really reminded me of former Ohio State and current Seahawks’ receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (only a version who can get deep).

Dangerous at all three route levels

Whether it’s a short, intermediate, or deep pass, Bond has the needed skillset to make a difference.

On short passes (0-9 yards), Bond was dependable and competitive after the catch.

Bond is a YAC merchant.

YAC stands for “yardage after the catch,” and it’s something he’s adept at doing. He shows football is important to him and he wants to win. He’s not the easiest to bring down. Defenses have to give a solid effort to stop him.

Bond proved even more dangerous further downfield.

This receiver accelerates quickly, whether it be when the ball is snapped or after he makes a catch, he punches it. Couple that with his tremendous natural wiggle and body flexibility that reminds me of Smith-Njigba, he’s just plain tough to keep up with at the intermediate route level (11-19 yards).

He also has an uncanny ability to hit the home run at the deep route level.

Accomplished route runner

I really want to drill down on this point ⎯and this is what really elevated Bond on my draft board based on his 2023 film.

When matching up against NFL corners who are long in the tooth, it takes more, a lot more than natural speed and agility to beat pro experience. It takes receivers who understand the art of setting up cornerbacks. This is a skill that Bond possesses and that is most of all what has me so intrigued about him.

Time and time again, Bond was able to create throwing windows at the intermediate route level and create separation deep.

Why transfer to Texas?

Anytime a prospect leaves one school and goes to another I like to know the reason why.

According to CBS Sports, Bond stated the move was ‘a business decision’ motivated by the retirement of Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban.

Now it’s time to see how that decision translates.

#17 Isaiah Bond (jersey number at Alabama in 2023) 5-foot-11, 180 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Fall Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 47.9% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of October 31, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: Middle Tennessee State, Texas, USF, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU, Kentucky, Chattanooga, Auburn, Georgia, and Michigan (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Quick, tough and dependable receiver with good natural bend and a decent catch radius. Excels at setting up corners with head fakes and widening routes before making his break on the ball. Can snap and whip at the break point. He’s quick in and out of his breaks. Showed good concentration looking the ball into his hands in traffic. Strong and confident hands. Doesn’t waste time turning it up field. Has a knack for getting deep. Competitive blocker.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Similar or better production than at Alabama?

2. Corners breaking up passes when he’s the intended target? (3x in 2023)

3. Does he get overthrown a lot deep at Texas?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.