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Luis Perez (American football)

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Luis Perez
refer to caption
Perez with the Arlington Renegades in 2023
Personal information
Born: (1994-08-26) August 26, 1994 (age 30)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Otay Ranch
(Chula Vista, California)
College:
Position:Quarterback
Undrafted:2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Luis Francisco Perez (born August 26, 1994) is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football at Texas A&M University–Commerce from 2015 to 2017. Prior to that, he played junior college football at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California. He was awarded the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2017 as the best football player in NCAA Division II and led the Lions to their second national championship in football during the 2017 season, their first since 1972. He won the 2023 XFL Championship with the Arlington Renegades. Perez was named MVP of the Championship Game, leading the Renegades to a 35–26 victory over the D.C. Defenders.

Early life

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Perez was born in San Diego, California, to Juan and Carla Perez. His father was a professional soccer player in his native country of Mexico. Perez grew up in the Rancho Del Rey neighborhood of Chula Vista, California and started playing quarterback at a young age in Junior High.[1]

As a child, Perez went bowling with his family. Eventually, he started attending a bowling league every Tuesday at age nine[2] before being entered into tournaments. He soon became a top rated amateur in California,[3] bowling 12 perfect games[4] with the plan to go to a university on a bowling scholarship.[5]

He attended Otay Ranch High School. Perez played sub-varsity football his first two years, in addition to basketball. He was moved to tight end to play in ORHS's Wing T offense, but stopped playing football due to frequently being moved to different positions, never playing varsity football. He graduated from Otay Ranch in 2012.[1]

College career

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Southwestern College

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Perez walked on as a football player at Southwestern College in his hometown of Chula Vista with no experience at the high school varsity level.[3] He was recommended to switch positions but ignored it, instead opting to start as the 9th of 9 quarterbacks on the depth chart for the Jaguars, but eventually became the starter due to injuries and transfers of other players, earning the second spot on the depth chart during the fall camp of 2013.[5] At the third week of Southwestern's 2013 season, the starter was injured, leading to Perez's debut for the team against Los Angeles Pierce College, throwing for 250 yards, two touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown, leading the team to a win.[6] He played roughly half the season before injuring his leg. He started again the next season and led the Jaguars to a conference title and all conference honors[7][8] throwing for 280 in 3 or more games and his best game of the season being against San Bernardino, throwing for 299 yards and 3 touchdowns on 31–44 attempts.[9]

Texas A&M–Commerce

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After his 2014 season at Southwestern, Perez visited NCAA Division I schools in hope of a scholarship including UC Davis, Oklahoma State and several others because of what he described as "living on that Division I dream."[5] Perez transferred to play for Texas A&M–Commerce, a Division II school in Northeast Texas. He redshirted his first year on campus during the 2015 season while the Lions won their second straight Lone Star Conference title with fellow Southern California native Harrison Stewart as the starting quarterback. The 2015 Lions qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 1995.[7][8]

Perez nabbed the starting quarterback job over fellow redshirt transfer Gabriel Rodriguez in 2016. In doing so, he became the first player of Mexican-American or Hispanic descent to start at quarterback for the Lions. The Lions won 10 regular season games and repeated as Lone Star conference champions. The Lions defeated Colorado Mesa in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, their first win in the Division II playoffs since 1991, before bowing out to the Grand Valley State Lakers in the second round. Perez was first-team All-Conference, a Harlon Hill Award nominee, and Honorable Mention All-American.[7][8]

Perez with Texas A&M–Commerce in 2017

In 2017, Perez and the Lions went 10–1 in the regular season and finished second in the Lone Star Conference behind Midwestern State University and qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the third straight year. The Lions defeated Winona State in the first round of the playoffs 20–7 and then knocked off the top ranked team in the region, the Central Washington Wildcats, in a double overtime thriller, 34–31. In the Super Region 4 final, the Lions defeated a heavily favored Minnesota State-Mankato team by a 31–21 score, setting them up to host the National semi-final against the Harding Bison at Memorial Stadium in Commerce. It was the first appearance in the semifinals since the 1980 season when the Lions advanced to the NAIA national semi-finals. The Lions downed the Bison's top ranked rushing attack 31–17 to advance to the National title game. Prior the national title game, Perez was awarded with the Harlon Hill Trophy, as the best football player in Division II. The Lions defeated the West Florida Argonauts in the national title game, giving A&M–Commerce their second national title in school history and their first since joining the NCAA in 1982. Perez once again was first-team All-LSC in addition to being named National Offensive player of the year, Lone Star Conference Offensive Back of the Year, and First-team All-American. He participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, for his final college game.[7][8] In his final season with the Lions, Perez passed for 298.3 yards per game ranking ninth throughout the entire NCAA, one of the only three players in all NCAA divisions with over 5,000 passing yards. Perez had completed 590-of-880 passes and had the Texas A&M–Commerce record of 22–3.[10]

College statistics

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CCCAA

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Season Team Passing
Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg
2013 Southwestern College 42 65 64.6 388 6.0 5 1 137.1
2014 Southwestern College 200 295 67.8 1,846 6.3 18 3 138.5
Totals 242 360 67.2 2,234 6.2 23 4 138.2

NCAA

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Season Team Passing
Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg
2015 Texas A&M–Commerce Redshirted
2016 Texas A&M–Commerce 244 389 62.7 3,326 8.6 32 5 159.1
2017 Texas A&M–Commerce 421 596 70.6 5,001 8.4 46 11 162.9
Totals[11] 665 985 67.5 8,327 8.5 78 16 161.4

Awards

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  • National champion (2017)
  • Harlon Hill Trophy (2017)[12]
  • 2× First-team All-Lone Star Conference (2016, 2017)[13]
  • Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American (2016)[14] Don Hansen's 2nd Team All-Super Region 4.[15]
  • Second-team All-American (2017)[16]
  • 2× First-team All-American (2016, 2017)[17]
  • J.W. Rollins Award as the Lone Star Conference's Offensive Player of the Year[18]
  • Associated Press First-team All-American[19]
  • Association First-team All-American and Ron Lenz Division II Offensive Player of the Year[20]
  • Voted Best Returning Quarterback in DII Football (2016)[21]

Professional career

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Los Angeles Rams (first stint)

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Perez was not selected in the 2018 NFL draft, however he was invited to attend rookie mini-camp for the Los Angeles Rams. He officially signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2018.[22] Perez participated in Rams training camp and saw his first pro football action during the Rams' final preseason game on August 30, 2018, at New Orleans. Playing the entire second half, Perez completed 8-of-15 passes for 43 yards with an interception as the host Saints defeated the Rams 28–0.[23] He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[24][25] He was released on September 18, 2018.[26]

Birmingham Iron

[edit]

After being waived by the Rams, Perez signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the new Alliance of American Football (AAF). On November 27, he was drafted in the first round, fifth overall by the Birmingham Iron in the AAF's quarterback draft.[27][28]

In his first game for the Iron on February 10, 2019, against the Memphis Express, Perez threw for 252 yards on 19 of 33 passing, leading the team to a shutout victory of 26–0.[29][30] He finished the season with 1,460 passing yards, 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Perez led Birmingham to a 5–3 record so Birmingham clinched a playoff berth two weeks before the end of the regular season. However the AAF suspended football operations after the eighth week.

Philadelphia Eagles

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After the AAF suspended football operations, Perez signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on April 9, 2019.[31] He was waived by the Eagles on May 13, 2019.[32]

Detroit Lions

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On August 27, 2019, Perez was signed by the Detroit Lions, but was waived four days later.[33][34]

Los Angeles Wildcats

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To begin the 2020 XFL Draft, Perez was one of the 8 "tier 1" quarterbacks who were assigned to each team in the league, where Perez was assigned to the Los Angeles Wildcats.[35] He signed a contract with the team on November 4, 2019. After the Wildcats claimed Josh Johnson in a supplemental draft in November 2019, Perez was traded to the New York Guardians in exchange for quarterback Chad Kanoff on January 19, 2020.[36][37]

New York Guardians

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He started the season as a second string quarterback behind Matt McGloin. In week 3 he returned onto the field against the St. Louis BattleHawks. He completed 4 out of 5 passes for 39 yards and passed for one touchdown.[38] He was named the Guardians' starting quarterback for week 4, completing 18 of 26 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown in a victory over the Wildcats.[39] In week 5 he started the second time for the New York Guardians in their Game against the Dallas Renegades. He led the Guardians to their second straight win. He completed 16 of 30 passes for 229 yards, one touchdown and one interception.[40]

However the XFL stopped its regular season after 5 weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[41] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[42]

The Spring League

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In 2021, Perez was a starting quarterback for the Jousters of The Spring League. He led the Jousters to the league's first and only Mega Bowl.[43]

New Jersey Generals

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On April 1, 2022, the New Jersey Generals signed Perez to a contract. Perez had gone undrafted in the 2022 USFL draft but was signed as a last-minute addition to the Generals roster after Generals presumptive starting quarterback Ben Holmes suffered a toe injury and was cut from the roster.[44]

On the league's kickoff game on April 16, 2022, Perez threw the first ever touchdown in USFL history.[45] He would finish the inaugural game with 13 completions on 18 attempts for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also losing a fumble. The Generals would lose this game 28–24.

Perez would come into a week 6 game vs Gamblers in relief of De'Andre Johnson. He led a game winning walk off touchdown drive with a quarterback sneak with :02 seconds left. The Generals won 26–25.

Los Angeles Rams (second stint)

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On July 23, 2022, Perez signed with the Rams.[46] He was released on August 16, 2022.[47]

Vegas Vipers

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Perez was selected by the Vegas Vipers in the 2023 XFL Draft.[48] On the opening game of the 2023 season, Perez started for the Vipers, throwing for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns, completing 22 passes out of 36 attempts. Perez also threw two interceptions, resulting in defensive touchdowns as the Vipers lost 22–20 to the Arlington Renegades.

Arlington Renegades

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On March 28, 2023, Perez was traded to the Arlington Renegades in exchange for linebacker Ryan Mueller.[49] He led them to the XFL Championship Game, where they upset the DC Defenders 35–26 to win the league title.[50] Perez re-signed with the Renegades on February 22, 2024.[51] In 2024, Perez led the league in passing yards, touchdowns, passer rating, and completions.[52] His contract was terminated on August 6, 2024.[53]

Los Angeles Chargers

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Perez signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on August 6, 2024.[54] He was waived on August 27.[55]

Professional career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team League Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2019 BIR AAF 8 7 4–3 135 258 52.3 1,460 5.7 5 6 66.0 24 75 3.1 0
2020 NY XFL 3 2 2–0 38 61 62.3 418 6.9 3 1 92.1 4 20 5.0 0
2022 NJ USFL 9 6 5–1 124 173 71.7 1,200 6.9 9 1 105.6 12 -11 -0.9 1
2023 VGS XFL 5 4 1–3 79 121 65.3 901 7.4 8 5 92.3 5 26 5.2 0
ARL 3 3 1–2 69 102 67.6 730 7.2 1 2 83.4 8 35 4.4 0
2024 ARL UFL 10 10 3–7 225 336 67.0 2,310 6.9 18 4 99.4 7 16 2.3 0
Career 38 32 16–16 670 1,051 63.7 7019 6.7 44 19 89.5 60 161 2.7 1

Postseason

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Year Team League Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2022 NJ USFL 1 1 0–1 19 25 76.0 191 7.6 0 2 63.9 0 0 0.0 0
2023 ARL XFL 2 2 2–0 45 63 71.4 577 9.2 6 0 131.5 8 23 2.9 0
Career 3 3 2–1 64 88 72.7 768 8.7 6 2 112.3 8 23 2.9 0

Personal life

[edit]

Perez has been married to his wife Brenda since 2015. He graduated from A&M–Commerce on December 14, 2017, along with his wife, the day before winning the National Title.

References

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  1. ^ a b Maffei, John. "Perseverance paying off for former Southwestern QB". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  2. ^ "From the bowling alley and the baseball diamond, two Rams prospects have taken a long route to the NFL". Orange County Register. May 18, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Edholm, Eric. "From bowling star to QB in five years, Luis Perez is the NFL draft's most unlikely prospect". www.profootballweekly.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  4. ^ Farmer, Sam (May 16, 2018). "Rams free agent quarterback Luis Perez has pro bowler skills". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Prep Pigskin Report (April 30, 2018), Luis Perez's Journey to the NFL, retrieved February 12, 2019
  6. ^ "Ex-QB a national phenomenon". Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d "Luis Pérez le apunta a la NFL". Universo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c d "Pérez le apunta a la NFL". El Universal (in Spanish). Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  9. ^ "Luis Perez – Football". Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletics. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  10. ^ Cooper, Clint (November 28, 2017). "TAMUC – Sports". EastTexasRadio.com. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  11. ^ Davis, For CSGNetwork.Com, Computer Support Group – Dr. Gene. "Quarterback Passer Rating Calculator". www.csgnetwork.com. Retrieved February 19, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Former Southwestern QB Perez wins Harlon Hill Award as NCAA Div. II's top player for Texas A&M-Commerce – CCCAA". www.cccaasports.org. December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  13. ^ "Luis Perez – 2016". Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  14. ^ "FightingFalcons.com" (PDF). Fighting Falcons.
  15. ^ "Six Lions named to Don Hansen All-Super Region Four Team". Texas A&M-Commerce. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  16. ^ "Second team All-American". Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  17. ^ Prosba, Zach (August 3, 2017). "2017 D2 Football Preseason All-America Team – HERO Sports". herosports.com. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  18. ^ "All-LSC Football Awards released". Lone Star Conference. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  19. ^ "Division II AP All-Americans: Texas A&M-Commerce quarterback Perez leads first team". NCAA.com. December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  20. ^ "Perez & Machorro lead 29 honorees on All-Lone Star Conference Teams – Texas A&M-Commerce". Texas A&M-Commerce. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  21. ^ Prosba, Zach (August 7, 2017). "VOTE: Best Returning Quarterback in D2 Football – HERO Sports". herosports.com. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  22. ^ Simmons, Myles (May 14, 2018). "Rams Sign Six College Free Agents, Waive Thompson". TheRams.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018.
  23. ^ "Luis Perez Plays First Preseason Snaps".
  24. ^ "Rams Make Final Round of Cuts". TheRams.com. September 1, 2018.
  25. ^ "Rams Set Initial Practice Squad". TheRams.com. September 2, 2018.
  26. ^ Simmons, Myles (September 18, 2018). "Rams Waive QB Brandon Allen, Cut Two from Practice Squad". TheRams.com.
  27. ^ Wilson, Ryan (November 27, 2018). "Alliance of American Football QB Draft: Aaron Murray, Christian Hackenberg highlight QBs taken". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  28. ^ Inabinett, Mark (November 27, 2018). "Birmingham Iron picks Luis Perez, Blake Sims in AAF quarterback draft". The Birmingham News. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  29. ^ Talbot, Damond (February 11, 2019). "AAF may have found their Tom Brady in Birmingham's Luis Perez". NFL Draft Diamonds. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  30. ^ "Luis Perez put on a show in AAF debut, had Twitter buzzing". Rams Wire. February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  31. ^ Berman, Zach (April 9, 2019). "Eagles sign three former AAF players: quarterback Luis Perez, receivers Greg Ward and Charles Johnson". Philly.com. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  32. ^ Erby, Glenn (May 13, 2019). "Eagles waive QB Luis Perez & RB Nico Evans". Eagles Wire. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  33. ^ "Lions sign free agent QB Luis Perez". DetroitLions.com. August 27, 2019.
  34. ^ "Detroit Lions establish 53-man roster". DetroitLions.com. August 31, 2019.
  35. ^ Florio, Mike (October 15, 2019). "XFL announces its eight allocated quarterbacks". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  36. ^ "XFL Transactions". XFL.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  37. ^ "Wildcats Trade QB Luis Perez to New York". XFL.com. January 19, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  38. ^ "XFL Live Stats". Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  39. ^ "Guardians snag much-needed win thanks to new quarterback". March 2020.
  40. ^ "XFL Live Stats". Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  41. ^ "XFL Statement".
  42. ^ Condotta, Bob (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  43. ^ TSL 2021: Jousters QB Luis Perez FOX Sports Feature, retrieved January 21, 2023
  44. ^ @USFLGenerals (April 1, 2022). "Roster updates for your New Jersey Generals" (Tweet). Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ Luis Perez passes to Randy Satterfield, scores first TD in USFL history, April 16, 2022, archived from the original on April 17, 2022, retrieved April 17, 2022
  46. ^ @RamsNFL (July 23, 2022). "LA Rams Transactions" (Tweet). Retrieved July 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ Ulrich, Logan (August 16, 2022). "Rams Waive Five Players". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  48. ^ "Meet XFL QBs: Stats, experience, what to know about the 15 quarterbacks". ESPN. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  49. ^ Miller, Anthony. "Arlington Renegades Trade for Vegas Vipers QB Luis Perez". xflnewshub.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  50. ^ Bien-Aime, DJ (May 13, 2023). "Renegades upset Defenders to claim improbable XFL title". ESPN.
  51. ^ "Luis Perez and Jordan Ta'amu to return for 2024 season". TheUFL.com. February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  52. ^ "UFL Player Stats". www.theufl.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  53. ^ @UFL_PR (August 6, 2024). "The #UFL has announced the following transactions:" (Tweet). Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Twitter.
  54. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Luis Perez". Chargers.com. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  55. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Reduce Roster to 53 Players". Chargers.com. August 27, 2024.
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