Armani Rogers Bio
Armani Lee Rogers, born on December 4, 1997, in Buffalo, New York, is an American professional football tight end. He played college football as a quarterback for the UNLV Rebels and Ohio Bobcats and holds the NCAA record for the longest run by a quarterback at 99 yards. Rogers transitioned to tight end after his college career and signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 225 pounds, Rogers has used his combination of size and athleticism to extend his professional career across multiple organizations. He is currently a member of the Buffalo Bills.
Early Life and Background
Armani Lee Rogers was born on December 4, 1997, in Buffalo, New York, and is the son of former NFL linebacker Sam Rogers. Growing up in Los Angeles, he came from a football family and developed an early passion for the game. He has four brothers and one sister, and his household was shaped by the discipline and work ethic associated with professional sports.
Rogers attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, where he starred as a quarterback. As a senior, he passed for 1,433 yards and 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 431 yards and 6 touchdowns, demonstrating the dual-threat ability that would later define his college career. Rated a three-star recruit, he initially committed to California over offers from UCLA, Washington, and Utah, but decommitted during his senior year following changes to the California coaching staff.
After reopening his recruitment, Rogers considered Fresno State before signing with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His high school performance and family background in the NFL positioned him as a promising college prospect.
Path to American Football
Rogers began his college career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he redshirted his first year before taking over as a starter. During his redshirt freshman season, he started nine games for the UNLV Rebels and was named the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year. He completed 99 of 189 passes for 1,471 yards and 6 touchdowns with 5 interceptions, while also rushing for a school-record 780 yards and 8 touchdowns as a quarterback.
His UNLV career was interrupted by injuries. A foot injury in the fourth game of his redshirt sophomore year caused him to miss six games, and another injury cut short his redshirt junior season. Despite the setbacks, Rogers remained a dynamic playmaker and decided to use the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Armani Rogers Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
From 2017 to 2019, Rogers developed his game as a quarterback at UNLV. He showed flashes of brilliance with his arm and his legs, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous rushing quarterbacks in the Mountain West Conference. He set a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season during his redshirt freshman year.
After a redshirt sophomore season limited by a foot injury, Rogers returned to action and posted 601 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and 565 rushing yards with 8 touchdowns. His redshirt junior year was again shortened by injury, as he passed for 393 yards with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions while rushing for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns in only four games.
UNLV Rebels Breakthrough (2017–2019)
During his redshirt freshman year at UNLV, Rogers emerged as the Rebels’ starting quarterback and quickly became a key contributor. His Freshman of the Year award highlighted his immediate impact on the program, and his rushing totals set a new standard for quarterbacks in the program’s history. The 2017 season established him as a college football prospect with significant upside.
He continued to grow as a passer in subsequent seasons, but recurring injuries prevented him from completing a full schedule. The decision to transfer followed his redshirt junior year, as Rogers sought a fresh start and a chance to finish his college career on the field.
Ohio Bobcats Breakthrough (2020–2021)
Rogers transferred to Ohio University as a graduate student and joined the Ohio Bobcats. In 2020, he was used mostly in offensive package plays, throwing for 48 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns. The shortened COVID-19 season provided him an opportunity to contribute in specialized roles.
Using the extra year of eligibility, Rogers returned to Ohio for a second season. He started two games at quarterback and was featured in offensive packages throughout the year, finishing with 334 passing yards and 552 rushing yards with 7 touchdowns. The defining moment came against the Buffalo Bulls, when he scored on a 99-yard rushing touchdown, setting the NCAA record for the longest run by a quarterback. That record-breaking play cemented his legacy in college football history.
Washington Commanders Era (2022–2024)
Following the 2021 college season, Rogers transitioned to tight end and signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2022. He participated in the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl as a tight end, signaling the change in position. The Commanders placed him on injured reserve on November 19, 2022, and he was activated on January 7, 2023.
On May 24, 2023, Rogers tore his Achilles tendon during a non-contact practice session and was placed on injured reserve on July 25, 2023. The Commanders released him on August 6, 2024, as he continued his recovery.
Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons (2024)
On August 7, 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles claimed Rogers off waivers. He was waived on August 27, 2024, before appearing in a regular-season game. Shortly afterward, on October 7, 2024, Rogers signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, continuing his effort to establish himself as a tight end at the professional level.
Buffalo Bills Era (2025–Present)
On January 17, 2025, Rogers signed a reserve/future contract with the Buffalo Bills, returning to his hometown state. The move offered him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in the spring. On March 3, 2025, it was announced that Rogers had suffered a torn Achilles tendon while training and would undergo surgery. He was waived with an injury designation on April 18, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rogers built his football identity as a dual-threat quarterback, combining a strong arm with elite running ability for the position. His 99-yard rushing touchdown at Ohio showcased his straight-line speed, field awareness, and power to break tackles in open space. As a tight end, his height, frame, and background as a quarterback give him the tools to develop as a reliable pass catcher and blocker.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining milestone of Rogers’s career is the 99-yard rushing touchdown he scored for the Ohio Bobcats, which set the NCAA record for the longest run by a quarterback. He was also named Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2017 and has navigated the transition from college quarterback to NFL tight end across four professional organizations.
Armani Rogers Career Wins
Armani Rogers has not accumulated traditional pass-rushing or pass-catching win totals at the professional level, as his career has been marked by position transitions and injury setbacks. His signature career win came at the collegiate level, when he set the NCAA record for the longest run by a quarterback.
UNLV Rebels Highlights
During his time with the UNLV Rebels, Rogers earned Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors and set a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season with 780 yards. He also contributed multiple rushing touchdowns in each of his healthy seasons with the program.
Ohio Bobcats Highlights
At Ohio, Rogers played a key role in the Bobcats’ offense in 2020 and 2021, finishing his final college season with 552 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. His 99-yard rushing touchdown against the Buffalo Bulls remains the longest rush by a quarterback in NCAA history.
Armani Rogers Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Armani Lee Rogers is the son of former NFL linebacker Sam Rogers, giving him a direct connection to professional football from an early age. He grew up alongside four brothers and one sister in Los Angeles, where the influence of his father and siblings helped shape his path toward the sport.
Personal Life
Born in Buffalo, New York, Rogers later grew up in Los Angeles, where he attended Alexander Hamilton High School. His father Sam Rogers’s NFL career provided a strong foundation for his own development as a player, and his large family offered steady support throughout his football journey.
2025 Season Performance
Armani Rogers signed a reserve/future contract with the Buffalo Bills on January 17, 2025, beginning a new chapter with his hometown-area team. The contract positioned him to compete for a depth role at tight end during the offseason program and training camp.
His 2025 plans were disrupted on March 3, when the team announced that he had suffered a torn Achilles tendon while training and would undergo surgery. The injury marked another setback in a career already shaped by lower-leg injuries, and he was waived with an injury designation on April 18, 2025.
As of 2025, Rogers’s immediate focus is recovery and rehabilitation, with the long-term outlook centered on returning to professional football when healthy. His progress from the Achilles injury will determine his next opportunity, whether with the Bills or another organization.