Armani Lee Rogers Bio
Armani Lee Rogers is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League. Born December 4, 1997, in Buffalo, New York, Rogers gained national attention during his college football career as a quarterback at UNLV and Ohio University, where he set an NCAA record with a 99-yard rushing touchdown. Following his collegiate career, he transitioned from quarterback to tight end and signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2022. His professional journey has included stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, and currently the Houston Gamblers.
Early Life and Background
Armani Lee Rogers was born on December 4, 1997, in Buffalo, New York, to Sam Rogers, a former NFL linebacker. He grew up in Los Angeles, California, and attended Alexander Hamilton High School. Rogers comes from a large family, having four brothers and one sister. During his senior year at Alexander Hamilton, he passed for 1,433 yards and 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 431 yards and six touchdowns.
Rogers was rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school. He initially committed to play college football at the University of California but received offers from UCLA, Washington, and Utah. He ultimately decommitted during his senior year after changes to California’s coaching staff and chose to sign with UNLV after also considering Fresno State.
Path to Tight End
Rogers began his college career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, redshirting his freshman season. During his redshirt freshman year, he started nine games and completed 99 of 189 pass attempts for 1,471 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 780 yards and eight touchdowns, setting a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback. His exceptional performance earned him the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year award in 2017.
His sophomore season was interrupted by a foot injury in the fourth game, causing him to miss six games. He returned to finish the season with 601 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 565 rushing yards, and eight touchdowns on the ground. During his redshirt junior year, he passed for 393 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 204 yards and two touchdowns in four games before suffering another injury.
Following his time at UNLV, Rogers transferred to Ohio University as a graduate student for the 2020 season. He was primarily used in offensive package plays, throwing for 48 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 114 yards and two touchdowns. He returned to Ohio for a second season using the extra year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, starting two games at quarterback and finishing with 334 passing yards, 552 rushing yards, and seven touchdowns. It was during this season that he achieved his signature moment: a 99-yard rushing touchdown against Buffalo Bulls, setting the NCAA record for longest run by a quarterback.
Armani Lee Rogers Career
Washington Commanders (2022–2023)
Rogers transitioned to tight end prior to the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl, shifting positions after playing quarterback throughout his college career. He signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2022. His transition to tight end represented a significant adjustment, requiring him to learn a new position at the professional level. On November 19, 2022, the Commanders placed Rogers on injured reserve. He was activated from injured reserve on January 7, 2023.
His time with the Commanders faced further setbacks when he tore his Achilles tendon during a non-contact practice session on May 24, 2023. The injury required him to be placed on injured reserve on July 25, 2023. He was released from the Commanders on August 6, 2024.
Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons (2024)
On August 7, 2024, Rogers was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles. However, his tenure was brief as he was waived on August 27, 2024. Later that year, on October 7, 2024, Rogers signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, continuing his journey through the NFL as he worked to establish himself at his new position.
Buffalo Bills (2025)
On January 17, 2025, Rogers signed a reserve/future contract with the Buffalo Bills, bringing him to the team with which he shares his birthplace. This signing represented an opportunity to compete for a roster spot with his hometown franchise. Unfortunately, on March 3, it was announced that Rogers had suffered another torn Achilles tendon while training, requiring surgery. The injury led to his waiving with an injury designation on April 18, 2025, ending his time with the Bills.
Houston Gamblers (2026–Present)
Following his release from the Bills and his recovery from the Achilles injury, Rogers signed with the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League on February 9, 2026. This move to the UFL provided him with an opportunity to continue his football career and showcase his abilities at the professional level.
Driving Style and Strengths
While Rogers now plays tight end, his background as a dual-threat quarterback provides him with unique athletic abilities. His experience as a quarterback, particularly his rushing ability demonstrated by the NCAA record 99-yard touchdown run, suggests strong speed and ball-carrying skills. His transition to tight end leverages his size at 6-foot-5 and his understanding of offensive schemes from his collegiate quarterback experience.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most notable moment of Rogers’ career came during his second season at Ohio University when he scored a 99-yard rushing touchdown against Buffalo Bulls, setting the NCAA Division I FBS record for longest run by a quarterback. His Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honor in 2017 highlighted his early promise as a collegiate player. His transition to tight end and subsequent journey through multiple NFL organizations represents his determination to find a role in professional football.
Armani Lee Rogers Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career, Rogers has appeared in limited games due to injuries. His NFL statistics as of 2025 include 5 receptions for 64 receiving yards. His collegiate career saw him accumulate significant passing and rushing numbers at both UNLV and Ohio University, with his dual-threat ability being his most notable characteristic as a quarterback.
| Competition | Receptions | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 5 | 64 |
Armani Lee Rogers Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rogers comes from a football family as the son of Sam Rogers, a former NFL linebacker. This family background provided him with early exposure to professional football and likely contributed to his development as an athlete. Growing up with four brothers and one sister in Los Angeles, Rogers had a supportive family environment during his formative years.
Personal Life
Rogers maintains connections to his birthplace of Buffalo, New York, where he signed with the Bills in January 2025. His professional journey reflects his resilience in overcoming setbacks, including multiple Achilles tendon injuries that have interrupted his career at various points.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with promise for Rogers following his signing with the Buffalo Bills on January 17. His connection to his hometown team represented an opportunity for stability with a franchise known for its competitive culture. The Bills organization provided him with a chance to compete for a roster spot at the tight end position, leveraging his size and athletic abilities developed from his transition out of quarterback.
However, the season took a significant turn when Rogers suffered a torn Achilles tendon during training on March 3. This injury required surgery and ultimately led to his waiving with an injury designation on April 18, 2025. The injury marked another setback in a career that has been interrupted multiple times by similar injuries, including the Achilles tear he experienced with the Washington Commanders in 2023.
Following his release from the Bills, Rogers began his recovery process with the goal of returning to professional football. His perseverance through multiple injuries demonstrates his commitment to the sport despite significant obstacles.