Andy Isabella is an American professional football wide receiver who played college football for the UMass Minutemen and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Known for his speed and explosiveness, Isabella has competed for multiple NFL teams and most recently signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League in 2026. He entered the NFL after a standout collegiate career that included consensus All-American honors and leading the nation in receiving yards per game during his senior season.
Andy Isabella Early Life and Background
Andy Isabella was born on November 18, 1996, in Mayfield, Ohio. He attended Mayfield High School in his hometown, where he excelled in both football and track and field. Isabella won the Ohio state title in the 100-meter dash during his senior year of high school, narrowly defeating fellow sprinter Denzel Ward, who would later become a cornerback for the Cleveland Browns. His exceptional speed on the track translated directly to his football abilities, setting the foundation for his future as a dynamic wide receiver.
Isabella is of Italian heritage. He chose to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Massachusetts, where he initially arrived as a running back recruit before making a position change that would define his collegiate career and professional prospects.
Andy Isabella Career
College Career at UMass (2015–2018)
Isabella played for the UMass Minutemen from 2015 to 2018. After being recruited as a running back, he converted to wide receiver prior to his sophomore season. The position change proved transformative for his career trajectory. Over four seasons at UMass, Isabella recorded 231 receptions for 3,526 yards and 30 touchdowns, quickly establishing himself as one of the most productive receivers in college football.
His senior season in 2018 became his breakthrough campaign. Isabella led the entire country in receiving yards per game with 141.5 yards and earned consensus All-American honors. He was named to the College Football All-America Team and was a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s top wide receiver. Pro Football Focus rated Isabella as the highest-graded wide receiver in college football that season, assigning him a remarkable 93.2 season grade. His exceptional speed was on full display at the NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, the third-fastest time at the 2019 Combine and tied with Ohio State receiver Parris Campbell.
Arizona Cardinals (2019–2022)
The Arizona Cardinals selected Isabella with the 62nd overall pick in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Cardinals acquired this draft selection through a trade that sent Josh Rosen to the Miami Dolphins. He entered the NFL as a rookie with significant expectations following his decorated collegiate career.
Isabella recorded his first career receiving touchdown in Week 9 of his rookie season against the San Francisco 49ers, catching an 88-yard pass in the 28-25 loss. He finished his inaugural NFL season with nine receptions for 189 yards and one touchdown. In Week 3 of the 2020 season, he recorded a career-high four receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns in a closely contested game against the Detroit Lions. However, his role diminished significantly in subsequent seasons. Entering the 2021 season at sixth on the Cardinals wide receiver depth chart, Isabella recorded only one catch during the entire season and was inactive for half the year. The Cardinals waived Isabella on October 4, 2022.
Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills (2022–2024)
Following his release from Arizona, Isabella signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on October 10, 2022. He was elevated to the active roster for their Week 17 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and saw action in their playoff contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Isabella signed a reserve/future contract with Baltimore in January 2023 but was released later that summer on July 25. He joined the Buffalo Bills on July 28, 2023, spending most of that season on the practice squad. Isabella appeared in only two regular season games and two playoff games with Buffalo before signing another reserve/future contract in January 2024. He was released by the Bills in late August 2024.
St. Louis Battlehawks and Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)
Isabella signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League on October 2, 2024. After a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad in late October, he was released by Pittsburgh on November 5. Isabella returned to the Battlehawks, signing with the team again on December 20, 2024.
San Francisco 49ers (2025)
Isabella signed with the San Francisco 49ers on July 31, 2025. He was released by the 49ers on August 5, concluding his time with the organization.
Andy Isabella Career Wins
Across his professional career spanning the NFL and UFL, Isabella has competed in multiple leagues while continuing to develop as a player. His professional statistics include 33 career NFL receptions for 447 yards and 3 touchdowns over four seasons with Arizona, Baltimore, and Buffalo. In college at UMass, he accumulated 3,526 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns over four seasons, ranking among the most prolific receivers in school history.
Career Statistics
College Statistics (UMass)
| Season | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–2018 | 231 | 3,526 | 30 |
NFL Career Statistics
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2022 | Arizona Cardinals | 33 | 447 | 3 |
Andy Isabella Family
Family Background and Heritage
Andy Isabella grew up in Mayfield, Ohio, and is of Italian heritage. His athletic family background includes his father, whose name is not publicly available, and his mother, whose name is not publicly available. He has a sister whose name is not publicly available. Isabella’s natural speed was evident from an early age, demonstrated through his state championship performance in the 100-meter dash at Mayfield High School.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transitions for Isabella as he navigated between professional leagues. He began the year with the St. Louis Battlehawks following his December 2024 re-signing. After a brief call-up to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad in October, Isabella returned to the Battlehawks roster. His tenure with the San Francisco 49ers in late July proved short-lived, lasting only five days before his release in early August.
Throughout the season, Isabella sought opportunities that would allow him to contribute as a receiver while continuing to showcase the speed and playmaking ability that defined his collegiate career. The频繁 roster moves across multiple organizations reflected the competitive nature of professional football at the receiver position.
Future Outlook and Upcoming Projects
In February 2026, it was announced that Isabella signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League. The move to the CFL presents a new opportunity for Isabella to compete at a high level in a different football environment. The CFL’s offensive schemes and field dimensions offer Isabella a fresh start and potential expanded role as the 2026 season approaches.