Antonio “Izzy” Dobbins transferred to Western Illinois after three seasons in Division II. The linebacker has become an important piece in the nationally ranked Leatherneck defense. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Dan Verdun
He’s listed as Antonio Dobbins on the Western Illinois roster, but he doesn’t necessarily answer to that given name. He’s better known as “Izzy.”
“It’s just a childhood name that my parents called me growing up,” the Leatherneck linebacker told Prairie State Pigskin. “All of my family and friends continue to call me Izzy.”
By whatever moniker you wish to call him, Dobbins has been a key contributor on a revitalized WIU defense that ranks third in total defense in FCS, according to official NCAA statistics.
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Dobbins arrived in Macomb after spending his first three seasons playing Division II football in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
After entering the transfer portal, Western Illinois was one of several schools to contact him.
“I had Austin Peay, The Citadel, North Alabama, Delaware State and Long Island University (reach out),” the Pennsylvania native said.
Dobbins enjoys the outdoors, gave up dirt bikes for football and draws inspiration from multiple sources.
Get to know Dobbins in this week’s Moving the Chains Q&A.
After playing at the Division II level, how did you decide to enter the transfer portal and ultimately wind up at Western Illinois?
I had a big season my junior year (at Bloomsburg). I led my team in tackles and was high on the stat board (in other categories), so I just bet on myself and entered the transfer portal. Coach (Jackson) King, (WIU running backs coach/director of player development) followed me onTwitter. We built a relationship and he put me in contact with Coach Kretch (associate head coach Brandon Kreczmer). Once we connected, it felt like home, so I made the decision to come to Western Illinois.
Did you take an official visit or did you come sight unseen?
I came sight unseen. The day I was supposed to take my official visit, I had the flu. We did a virtual visit and everything looked nice to me and my family so I decided on Western.
How did Western Illinois stand out from your other offers?
The culture. Coach (Joe) Davis is big on connections. That’s the word that he used for his team to have. That ran with me. That mindset that they wanted to win the Ohio Valley Conference. I truly believed in what they were talking about. The defensive structure that they run made me feel like I’d fit in it (well). That’s why I chose Western.
This season’s WIU defense has seen a real improvement from previous years. Knowing you weren’t here for those seasons, what are you hearing from teammates that is making the difference?
It’s trusting in our defensive coordinator, Coach (Landon) Fox. We trust him every week. He spends a lot of time in the office working up a game plan. It’s discipline and trusting the coaches for us to execute every week.
As you see, we’re one of the top three defenses in the country. That doesn’t just happen for nothing.
What do you like about Coach Kreczmer, your position coach?
He holds us to a high standard. At practice, we get game day reps. When it comes to game day, we’re planning at the same pace. We’re at high levels. If we don’t reach those high levels he has set for us, it’s going to be less playing time. You’ve got to be there.
Which of your defensive teammates really impresses you?
(Linebacker) Nick Reinicke, my buddy that I play next to. He’s relentless. He flies around and has that high IQ for football. He knows what plan is coming and what to do.
(Defensive back) Christian Garrett. He’s very vocal. He’s physical and fast on the back end.
I look up to those two guys. You want them on the football field.
Tell us about your family.
My dad works in a warehouse. He works with airplane parts. My mom is a nurse. I’m the youngest of six. I’ve got three brothers and two sisters.
Your parents had to be happy when you got a scholarship . . .
Absolutely! It was a blessing.
How different is your hometown of Bethlehem, Penn., from Macomb?
It’s quite different. Back home, the Lehigh Valley is more of a city area. But growing up I was always an outdoorsman. I like to fish and hunt. When I came to Macomb, it’s a place that I like because there’s a lot of outdoor stuff to do. That’s what I do in my free time. I go out and fish and just enjoy the environment.
What was the first college or pro game you attended as a fan?
It was a Rutgers game. It was when (future NFL running back) Isiah Pacheco played. I was around 14 or 15. That gave me the drive because even though I played football, I had never really attended anything like that.
I was on a 7-on-7 team and my coach had played at Rutgers and took all of us to the game. It gave me the drive to get to that level, playing college football.
What is a hobby you wish you had more time for?
Dirt bike riding. I grew up on it. That was actually one of my first sports, riding and racing. I gave up because I didn’t want to get injured for football and other sports I played.
What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?
I used to always wear this Scream mask. It had a little heart. When you pushed the heart, blood came running down the mask. It was kinda cool. That was one of my favorite movies growing up.
What was your favorite Halloween candy?
It was always either Butterfingers, Snickers or Reese’s.
What is your favorite football movie and why?
Gridiron Gang. There’s this kid who gets in trouble and he ends up going to the juvenile center. They make a football team. The coach (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) put them through a lot of punishments and they became this disciplined team and started to execute and win. That showed me that if you have a good coach that’s going to push you and you listen to him, your program could go a long way.
Who is your favorite NFL team?
Pittsburgh Steelers.
Did you have a favorite Steeler player?
Devin Bush (now with the Chicago Bears). He was an undersized linebacker. He was relentless.
What is the most rewarding part of off-season workouts?
At the end of the week, we’d usually do (weight) plate pushes. When those were over, it was so relaxing just knowing we put in the time to get better so we could enjoy ourselves.
What is your favorite thing about Hanson Field?
I like the energy that the students and the community brings. Macomb has a big community when it comes to football. When we go out there on Saturdays, it’s fun to just look around and see how hyped the fans get.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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