Luke Floriea and Andy Isabella have been training together for five years.
In fact, the two put in a track workout in the early morning July 3 before Isabella’s second annual camp at Mayfield’s Wildcat Stadium.
It only seems fitting the pair are training partners. Both were small-school products (Floriea at Kent State and Isabella at UMass), and are fast and quick but undersized wide receivers at under 6 feet.
The will to keep grinding and buck the odds likely won’t leave either of them.
That was the type of message Isabella wanted to leave with those who participated in the free camp, which featured an assortment of individuals.
.@AndyIsabella5 on his second annual camp at @MayfieldSports plus advice to his training buddy @luke_floriea2 entering @Browns training camp @NHPreps @MayfieldFB @MentorAthletics @MentorRedline pic.twitter.com/36CKmYU66Q
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) July 3, 2025
“We had a number of coaches, pro athletes, Navy SEALs, martial artists, police academy and strength and conditioning coaches,” said Mayfield grad Isabella. “We had a wide variety to expose to the kids to see what maybe they want to do when they grow up, and be inspired to take steps in their life and go after their goals and dreams.”
Isabella’s dream right now is another shot at making an NFL roster after five seasons with the Cardinals and Bills. He was in the camp of the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League the past spring but was released after sustaining an injury.
Isabella is hopeful for an invite to an NFL training camp later this month but said if that doesn’t happen he has a few options to coach.
Browns wide receiver Luke Floriea of Mentor instructs campers during the second annual Andy Isabella Camp at Mayfield’s Wildcat Stadium July 3. (Paul DiCicco – For The News-Herald)
Meanwhile, Floriea’s career in pro football is just beginning. In a few weeks, he will embark on his quest to make the Browns’ roster as an undrafted rookie.
Floriea earned a tryout at Browns rookie minicamp and impressed the coaching staff enough to sign a contract that solidified his spot in training camp. Since then, he’s participated in all of the team’s offseason practices.
Floriea values his friendship with Isabella and the advice the latter has passed on to him. Despite being five years apart in age, they are connected by their passions — football and hard work.
They became friends five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. Isabella and Floriea’s older brother Jake — a Mentor graduate and former John Carroll standout quarterback — would meet to train at area football fields.
Those two became friends after they played in the North-South Ohio all-star football game as high school seniors.
“Andy was back home from Arizona and he told Jake, ‘Hey, I need someone to throw, and Jake was like, ‘Can I bring my little brother?’ ” said Luke Floriea.
A friendship was born. Five years have passed, and they are still training with football always on their minds.
“(Andy) told me something that really stuck with me,” said Floreia. “It will work out, everyone’s story is different. It’s been very different leading up to this point. That’s kept me motivated.”
PHOTOS: Andy Isabella football camp, July 3, 2025
Floriea said he was disappointed not hearing his name called during the NFL Draft. He also had to wait more than a few days before the Browns invited him to rookie minicamp.
“There was nothing really to celebrate at that point,” said Floriea. “But I had a good week at rookie minicamp and once I got that call from my agent that I made it, that was when I got my first breath of fresh air. Feels good to be where I’m at.”
In addition to being a receiver, Floriea’s value extends to special teams, where he’s been a gunner, and a punt and kickoff returner during practices.
“Being all those things goes a long way,” he said.
Floriea’s plans for training camp — beyond the obvious, which is to make the 53-man roster — aren’t complicated.
“Just be the hardest worker. Be consistent,” he said. “Be someone the quarterbacks can rely on on third down. Get open for them. Earn the respect and trust of my coaches.”
Originally Published: July 3, 2025 at 2:38 PM EDT