Andy Isabella Explained

Andy Isabella
Current Team:Buffalo Bills
Number:87
Position:Wide receiver
Birth Date:18 November 1996
Birth Place:Mayfield, Ohio, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:9
Weight Lb:188
High School:Mayfield (OH)
College:UMass (2015–2018)
Draftyear:2019
Draftround:2
Draftpick:62
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Receptions
Statvalue1:33
Statlabel2:Receiving yards
Statvalue2:447
Statlabel3:Receiving touchdowns
Statvalue3:3
Pfr:IsabAn00

Andy Isabella (born November 18, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UMass Minutemen,[1] and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Early life

Isabella attended Mayfield High School in Mayfield, Ohio.[2] Isabella ran track in high school.[3] In his senior year of high school, Isabella won the state title in the 100-meter dash, beating fellow sprinter and future Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward in a close race.[4] He committed to the University of Massachusetts to play college football.[5] [6] Isabella is of Italian heritage.[7]

College career

Isabella played at UMass from 2015 to 2018. Initially recruited as a running back, he converted to wide receiver his sophomore year. During his career he had 231 receptions for 3,526 yards and 30 touchdowns.[8] As a senior, he was an All-American and was a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award.[9] [10]

In 2018, he led the country in receiving yards per game (141.5) and was named to the 2018 College Football All-America Team. Isabella was Pro Football Focus's highest rated wide receiver in college football, posting a season grade of 93.2.[11]

College statistics

UMass Minutemen
Year Class PositionGP Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Rec Yards Avg TD Att Yards Avg TD Plays Yards Avg TD
RB8 2 7 3.5 0 3 28 9.3 0 5 35 7.0 0
WR12 62 801 12.9 7 12 100 8.3 0 74 901 12.2 7
WR12 65 1,020 15.7 10 14 135 9.6 1 79 1,155 14.6 11
WR12 102 1,698 16.6 13 11 79 7.2 1 113 1,777 15.7 14

Professional career

Pre-draft

Isabella declared for the 2019 NFL draft after his senior season.[12] At the combine, Isabella ran a 4.31 second 40 yard dash, which was the third fastest time at that year's combine, tied with Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell.[13]

Arizona Cardinals

Isabella was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the 62nd overall pick in the second round of the draft.[14] The Cardinals acquired this selection in a trade that sent Josh Rosen to the Miami Dolphins.[15] [16] In Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers, Isabella caught one pass for an 88-yard touchdown in the 28-25 loss. This was Isabella's first career receiving touchdown in the NFL.[17] He finished his rookie season with nine receptions for 189 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[18]

In Week 3 of the 2020 season, Isabella recorded four receptions for 47 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 26–23 loss to the Detroit Lions.[19]

Isabella entered the 2021 season sixth on the Cardinals wide receiver depth chart, and only had one catch the entire season and was inactive for half the season.

On October 4, 2022, the Cardinals waived Isabella.[20]

Baltimore Ravens

On October 10, 2022, Isabella signed with the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens.[21] On December 31, 2022, Isabella was elevated to Baltimore's active roster for Week 17 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. On January 2, 2023, Isabella was put back on Baltimore's practice squad after a thigh injury versus Pittsburgh. On January 14, 2023, Isabella was elevated to Baltimore's active roster again for their playoff game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 19, 2023.[22] He was released on July 25, 2023.[23]

Buffalo Bills

On July 28, 2023, Isabella signed with the Buffalo Bills.[24] He was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.[25] [26] During the season, Isabella played in only two regular season games, and two playoff games. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2024.[27]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceivingRushingFumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2019ARI151918921.08814153.86000
2020ARI1322122410.75421-6-6.0-6011
2021ARI8011313.0130000
2022ARI3022110.5110000
2022BAL200111.01000
2023BUF20
Career4133344713.58836101.76011

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: No. 23 Andy Isabella . April 27, 2019 . umassathletics.com.
  2. Web site: September 9, 2017 . UMass receiver Andy Isabella overcomes odds .
  3. Web site: Mayfield sprinter Andy Isabella posts nation's top indoor track time in 60-meter dash . cleveland.com. January 30, 2015 .
  4. Web site: Lesmerises . Doug . March 2, 2019 . Mayfield's Andy Isabella beat Denzel Ward in high school track, can he beat his NFL combine 40 time? . April 28, 2019 . cleveland.com . en-US.
  5. Web site: MassLive . Daniel Malone Special to . Five questions: Freshman speedster Andy Isabella looking to make impact for UMass football . masslive.com. August 20, 2015 .
  6. Web site: Podolski . Mark . How 6.72 seconds changed Mayfield grad Andy Isabella's football life . September 29, 2020 . The News-Herald . en.
  7. Web site: February 14, 2019 . Meet Andy Isabella, the stud WR prospect with the huge numbers . September 29, 2020 . The Draft Wire . en-US.
  8. Web site: No. 5 Georgia overwhelms UMass, but WR Andy Isabella holds his own .
  9. Web site: Podolski. Mark. Mayfield grad Andy Isabella finalist for Biletnikoff Award . The News-Herald.
  10. Web site: Podolski. Mark . Family rooting for Andy Isabella as Mayfield grad eyes Biletnikoff Award . The News-Herald.
  11. Web site: Andy Isabella is much more than a slot receiver, can 'do it all' NFL Draft news and analysis Pro Football Focus . April 26, 2019 . www.profootballfocus.com. February 20, 2019 .
  12. Web site: Farnsworth . Josh . January 28, 2019 . Isabella Rising: UMass WR impresses at Senior Bowl . April 27, 2019 . Underdog Dynasty.
  13. Web site: Zedrick Woods runs fastest 40 of 2019 NFL Combine . April 27, 2019 . NFL.com . en.
  14. Web site: 2019 NFL Draft Listing . April 5, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  15. Web site: Vautour . Matt . April 27, 2019 . NFL Draft 2019: UMass' Andy Isabella drafted by Arizona Cardinals in second round . April 27, 2019 . masslive.com . en-US.
  16. Web site: Urban . Darren . April 26, 2019 . Josh Rosen Traded To Dolphins; Cardinals Take Andy Isabella . AZCardinals.com.
  17. Web site: October 31, 2019 . Garoppolo throws 4 TD passes, 49ers beat Cardinals 28-25 . October 31, 2019 . . Associated Press.
  18. Web site: Andy Isabella 2019 Game Log . September 29, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  19. Web site: Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals - September 27th, 2020 . September 29, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  20. Web site: Urban . Darren . October 4, 2022 . Cardinals Release Andy Isabella; Sign Center Billy Price . October 4, 2022 . www.azcardinals.com . en-US.
  21. Web site: Andy Isabella Officially Signed to Ravens Practice Squad. Mink, Ryan. BaltimoreRavens.com. October 10, 2022.
  22. Web site: Comeaux . Jonathan . January 19, 2023 . Ravens Sign WR Andy Isabella to Futures Deal . May 18, 2023 . NFLTradeRumors.co.
  23. Web site: Ravens Bring Back Wide Receiver Makai Polk. Mink, Ryan. BaltimoreRavens.com. July 25, 2023.
  24. Web site: Bills Sign WR Andy Isabella, Cut Reggie Wayne's Cousin. Dimmitt, Zach. SI.com. July 28, 2023.
  25. Web site: Bills announce moves to get to 53-man roster. White, Alec. BuffaloBills.com. August 29, 2023.
  26. Web site: Bills sign 14 players to 2023 practice squad. White, Alec. BuffaloBills.com. August 30, 2023.
  27. Web site: Bills sign 11 players to Reserve/Futures contracts. White, Alec. BuffaloBills.com. January 22, 2024.