Isabella a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award

Dec. 6 is setting up as a memorable night for Andy Isabella — no matter how the night plays out.

On that date, the Biletnikoff Award will be presented to the nation’s top FBS receiver during The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN in Orlando.

Isabella is on the cusp of taking home that big-time award which includes the likes of past winners Amari Cooper, Brandin Cooks, Golden Tate, Michael Crabtree, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Randy Moss.

On Nov. 19, Isabella, a senior and Mayfield graduate, was named one of three finalists for the award. His reaction on being a finalist:

“(I thought there) was no way,” Isabella wrote in a text message. “They never pick small-school receivers to be up for an award like that. I had to check two or three times before I was like, ‘OK, yeah this is real.’ “

Joining Isabella are Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Oklahoma State’s Tylan Wallace.

Isabella just completed his regular season, and his statistics jump off the page. His 102 receptions lead the country, as do his 1,698 receiving yards. Isabella is tied for second nationally with 13 touchdown receptions.

If Isabella takes home the award, the way he closed out the 2018 season could be a big reason. Against Liberty on Nov. 3, the 5-10, 190-pounder with blazing speed torched the opponent with a school-record 303 yards on nine receptions and two touchdowns.

That record-setting day was eye-opening, but the No. 1 performance by Isabella for voters to consider was likely his last against No. 5-ranked Georgia. Isabella showed he belong among the nation’s elite with 15 receptions, 219 yards and two touchdowns — including one that went 75 yards.

“If I won (the award) I would probably get really emotional because of how far I’ve come to this point, and because of all the support and help I’ve received from my coaches and family,” said Isabella.

Isabella wasn’t a bigtime recruit coming out of Mayfield, despite being a productive player for the Wildcats, and the Division I state champion in the 100 dash as a high school senior. The only FBS offer he received was from UMass head coach Mark Whipple.

He is the first UMass player to be a finalist for a national award during the program’s FBS era.

As for his upcoming trip to Orlando, Isabella is pumped for an obvious reason: “It’s warmer than Cleveland.”