Lynden High School’s football program has several former players competing at the collegiate level.
Although the Lions have a rich history, head coach Blake VanDalen has only had three players earn the Washington High School Football Coaches Association’s 2A Player of the Year award in his nearly 30 years of coaching.
VanDalen strongly believes senior linebacker and tight end Isaiah Oudman can be the fourth Lion to win the award in his tenure.
“It would be hard not to look at Isaiah and not say he cannot be in contention,” VanDalen said. “When you come to a game, there are a handful of players you notice and he is one of them.”
Oudman was an all-state tight end last season, including first-team all-Northwest Conference honors at tight end and second-team at linebacker. The 3-star prospect committed to play football at Eastern Washington University on June 28.
“Eastern felt like home,” Oudman said. “It is a smaller town and the team preaches a lot about brotherhood. Everyone is playing for each other and it felt like the place I wanted to be.”
Oudman earned the respect of Eastern Washington’s coaches when he attended several off-season football camps at EWU, the University of Washington, Mukilteo and Tacoma.
“I am so blessed because we can compare him to kids in the past,” VanDalen said. “On defense, he reminds me of Caleb Newman, who went to West Point. At tight end, he is a matchup nightmare who ranks up there with Chad Barr from Washington State.”
Oudman describes himself as a nose-down, hard-hitting anchor on defense. As a tight end, he believes he catches the ball well, enjoys blocking and can move in space. He tries to lead by example since he does not talk much on the field.
“I have seen him grow up at our youth camps and he stood out,” VanDalen said. “When he was in fourth grade, we knew he would be a fun kid to coach.”
VanDalen said Oudman had the hit of the year last season against North Kitsap.
“He is also a weapon that not many teams have a defender that can match up with him,” VanDalen said. “If I let him, he would be an impact player on special teams, too.”
Oudman has been a big factor in Lynden’s two most recent state titles. Oudman, 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, finished his junior season with 13 receptions for 242 yards and four touchdowns. He also totaled 32.5 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception.
As a sophomore, he had one reception for four yards and a touchdown. He also returned two punts for 54 yards, picked up 25.5 tackles, two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. In his senior year, Oudman currently has 14 catches for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Oudman entered his senior season coming off surgery from a torn labrum that occurred against 2023 state champion Anacortes.
“I had surgery on it in January and took six months of recovery for it,” Oudman said. “I had to get over that because I couldn’t lift, run or anything and lost three months going into my senior year.”
Since the interview in early August, Oudman has been practicing at full strength and competed in a jamboree and games. As the season goes, Oudman said he hopes he steps into a leadership role for the Lions.
“He is a great teammate and doesn’t want to big-time anybody,” VanDalen said. “He wants to give kids rides and make sure everyone is included in drills. He really loves being a Lynden Lion.”
Oudman’s final goals before he graduates is to break Lynden’s all-time sack record of 13, held by Bryce Sterk, and win his third state title. Oudman currently has five career sacks.
“I want to prove to people that I was underrecruited and slept on a bit,” Oudman said. “I am better than what people think of me and a better player than what comes to the eyes.”
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
