Amari Rodgers
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Distinguish|Armani Rogers}}
{{Use American English|date = April 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Amari Rodgers
| image = Amari Rodgers.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Rodgers with the Clemson Tigers in 2019
| current_team = Birmingham Stallions
| number = 3
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|9|23}}
| birth_place = Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 9
| weight_lb = 212
| high_school = Knoxville Catholic
| college = Clemson (2017–2020)
| draftyear = 2021
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 85
| pastteams =
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2021|2022}})
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2023}})
- Birmingham Stallions ({{UFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- UFL champion (2024)
- CFP national champion (2018)
- First-team All-ACC (2020)
| statseason = 2023
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 20
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 249
| statlabel3 = Rushing yards
| statvalue3 = 18
| statlabel4 = Return yards
| statvalue4 = 626
| statlabel5 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue5 = 1
| pfr = R/RodgAm00
}}
Amari Jai Rodgers (born September 23, 1999) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. He has also played for the Houston Texans.
Early life
Rodgers attended Knoxville Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. As a senior, he caught 40 passes for 1,238 yards with 18 touchdowns. For his career, he had 3,498 receiving yards with 47 total touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Oliver |first=Gavin |date=July 4, 2017 |title=Fresh look at the freshmen: Amari Rodgers |url=https://theclemsoninsider.com/2017/07/04/fresh-look-at-the-freshmen-amari-rodgers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706215954/http://theclemsoninsider.com:80/2017/07/04/fresh-look-at-the-freshmen-amari-rodgers/ |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=The Clemson Insider}} He was rated as a four star recruit and the 16th highest rated wide receiver recruit in the country by the 247Sports.com Composite, which aggregates the ratings of the major recruiting services.{{Cite web |title=Amari Rodgers, Knoxville Catholic, Wide Receiver |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Amari-Rodgers-36512/high-school-60220// |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=247Sports.com}} Rodgers originally committed to University of Southern California, but flipped to Clemson when they gave him an offer late in the season.{{Cite web |last=Keepfer |first=Scott |date=July 22, 2019 |title=Meet the Tigers: 3 things you probably don't know about Clemson football's Amari Rodgers |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2019/07/22/amari-rodgers-3-things-you-may-not-know-clemson-football-wide-receiver/1499163001// |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=USA Today}}
College career
As a freshman at Clemson in 2017, Rodgers had 19 receptions for 123 yards.{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2018 |title=2018 Clemson Football Season Preview: Wide Receivers |url=https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2018/8/23/17761504/2018-clemson-football-season-preview-wide-receivers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806141305/https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2018/8/23/17761504/2018-clemson-football-season-preview-wide-receivers |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=SB Nation}} As a sophomore in 2018, he caught 55 passes for 575 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a touchdown.{{Cite news |title=Player Stats: Amari Rodgers |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://stats.washingtonpost.com/cfb/players.asp?id=276271 |url-status=live |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024025638/http://stats.washingtonpost.com/cfb/players.asp?id=276271 |archive-date=October 24, 2020}}
Rodgers missed the first game of his junior season in 2019 due to an ACL tear in spring practice.{{Cite web |last=Needelman |first=Joshua |date=September 10, 2019 |title=Clemson's Amari Rodgers to Dabo Swinney: 'I promise you, I'm ready |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/clemson/clemson-s-amari-rodgers-to-dabo-swinney-i-promise-you/article_22e40274-d3e6-11e9-84af-2fa84b8ee47f.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501040302/https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/clemson/clemson-s-amari-rodgers-to-dabo-swinney-i-promise-you/article_22e40274-d3e6-11e9-84af-2fa84b8ee47f.html |archive-date=May 1, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=The Post and Courier}} He finished the season with 30 receptions, 426 yards, and 4 touchdowns.{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2020 |title=WATCH: Amari Rodgers motivated to show out as senior |url=https://www.tigernet.com/update/WATCH-Amari-Rodgers-motivated-to-show-out-as-senior-35332 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501040259/https://www.tigernet.com/update/WATCH-Amari-Rodgers-motivated-to-show-out-as-senior-35332 |archive-date=May 1, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=Tigernet.com}} After the season, Rodgers announced he was returning for his senior season rather than entering the 2020 NFL draft.{{Cite magazine |last=Senkiw |first=Brad |date=March 25, 2020 |title=Clemson's Amari Rodgers Reflects On Being Year Removed From Knee Injury |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/college/clemson/football/clemsons-amari-rodgers-reflects-on-being-year-removed-from-knee-injury |access-date=July 31, 2020}} As a senior, Rodgers caught 77 passes for 1,020 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 9 1/2
| weight = 212
| dash = 4.52
| ten split = 1.65
| twenty split = 2.62
| shuttle = 4.31
| cone drill = 7.07
| vertical = 33.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 1
| bench = 19
| arm span = 30 3/8
| hand span = 9 1/2
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Amari Rodgers Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/amari-rodgers/3200524f-4434-2823-8e97-2d93985ad418 |access-date=November 18, 2021 |publisher=National Football League}}{{Cite web |title=Amari Rodgers, Clemson, WR, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1021861&DraftYear=2021 |access-date=November 18, 2021 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
=Green Bay Packers=
Rodgers was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round with the 85th overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Hodkiewicz |first=Wes |date=April 30, 2021 |title=2021 NFL Draft: Packers select Clemson WR Amari Rodgers in the third round, No. 85 overall |url=https://www.packers.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-packers-select-clemson-wr-amari-rodgers |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=Packers.com}} The Packers send their 92nd and 135th overall picks to the Tennessee Titans to move up and select Rodgers. He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 23, 2021,{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2021 |title=Packers sign WR Amari Rodgers |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-wr-amari-rodgers |access-date=July 23, 2021 |website=Packers.com}} worth $4.89 million, including a $923,000 signing bonus.{{Cite web |title=Amari Rodgers |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/amari-rodgers-72465/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Spotrac.com}} He saw his first NFL action on September 12, 2021, against the New Orleans Saints, recording one catch for 19 yards in the 38–3 loss.{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints - September 12th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202109120nor.htm |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished the 2021 season with 169 yards off punt returns and 199 yards off kickoff returns with his longest being 23 and 27 yards.{{Cite web |title=Amari Rodgers 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAm00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Kick & Punt Returns |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2021/returns.htm |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
During Rodgers' second season, he proved to be inconsistent, totaling five fumbled punt returns over ten games. However, he was otherwise more efficient by nearing his 2021 totals in just over half a season, returning 139 yards off punt returns and 122 off kickoffs through week 10. In a week 10 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Rodgers lost his seventh fumble during a punt return, and was benched afterwards, replaced by cornerback Keisean Nixon. Head coach Matt LaFleur announced they would no longer ask Rodgers to return punts, and he was released by the Packers two days after the game.{{Cite web |title=Amari Rodgers Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAm00.htm |access-date=November 15, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Packers release WR Amari Rodgers, RB Kylin Hill |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-release-wr-amari-rodgers-rb-kylin-hill-2022 |access-date=November 15, 2022 |website=Packers.com |language=en-US}} Meanwhile, in his stead, Nixon was named a First-Team All-Pro as a kick returner, having tallied the most return yards in the NFL despite not winning the job until Week 10.
=Houston Texans=
The Houston Texans claimed Rodgers off waivers on November 16, 2022.{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Texans' Amari Rodgers: Picked up by Houston |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/texans-amari-rodgers-picked-up-by-houston/amp/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=CBS Sports}} On December 11, Rodgers scored his first career touchdown on a 28–yard reception from Jeff Driskel.{{Cite web |last=Senkiw |first=Brad |date=December 11, 2022 |title=Former Clemson WR Scores First Career NFL TD |url=https://www.si.com/college/clemson/tigers-in-the-nfl/former-clemson-wr-scores-first-career-nfl-td |access-date=September 23, 2023 |website=SI.com |language=en}} Rodgers finished the 2022 season with 16 receptions for 204 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Amari Rodgers 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAm00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On July 30, 2023, Rodgers was waived by the Houston Texans.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (7-30-2023)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-7-30-2023|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=July 30, 2023}}
=Indianapolis Colts=
On August 2, 2023, Rodgers signed with the Indianapolis Colts.{{cite web|title=Colts sign WR Amari Rodgers, waive WR Johnny King|url=https://www.colts.com/news/amari-rodgers-signed-green-bay-packers-draft-pick-houston-texans|website=Colts.com|date=August 2, 2023}} He was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Colts make roster moves to form initial 53-man roster|url=https://www.colts.com/news/jonathan-taylor-reserve-pup-list-roster-moves-transactions-53-man-roster|author=Stankevitz, JJ|website=Colts.com|date=August 29, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Colts sign 16 to practice squad|url=https://www.colts.com/news/practice-squad-mike-strachan-amari-rodgers-juwann-winfree-signed-wide-receiver|website=Colts.com|date=August 30, 2023}} On October 3, Rodgers was signed to the active roster.{{cite web|title=Colts sign WR Amari Rodgers to the 53-man roster; place cornerback Dallis Flowers on Injured Reserve; sign cornerback Darren Hall to the practice squad|url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-sign-wr-amari-rodgers-to-the-53-man-roster-place-cornerback-dallis-flowers|website=Colts.com|date=October 3, 2023}} He was waived on October 20, 2023.{{cite web|title=Colts claim CB Ameer Speed off waivers from Patriots; waive WR Amari Rodgers|url=https://www.colts.com/news/ameer-speed-claimed-waivers-defensive-back-cornerback-patriots|website=Colts.com|date=October 20, 2023}}
= Birmingham Stallions =
On December 22, 2023, Rodgers signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL).{{cite tweet |number=1738409863611314379 |user=JamesLarsenPFN |title=According to the FOX Sports roster page, the @USFLStallions have also added WR Amari Rodgers out of Clemson. |date=December 22, 2023 |access-date=December 22, 2023}} He re-signed with the team on September 23, 2024.{{cite tweet |user=UFL_PR |title=The #UFL has announced the following transactions |number=1838337550005707004 |date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024}}
NFL career statistics
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Kick Returns ! colspan="5"| Punt Returns ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 2021 | GB
| 16 || 1 || 4 || 45 || 11.2 || 19 || 0 || 11 || 199 || 18.1 || 27 || 0 || 20 || 166 || 8.3 || 23 || 0 || 2 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| 2022 || GB
| 10 || 0 || 4 || 50 || 12.5 || 22 || 0 || 6 || 122 || 20.3 || 34 || 0 || 20 || 139 || 7.0 || 20 || 0 || 5 || 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| HOU
| 6 || 1 || 12 || 154 || 12.8 || 37 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Total | 32 | 2 | 20 | 249 | 12.5 | 37 | 1 | 17 | 321 | 18.9 | 34 | 0 | 40 | 305 | 7.6 | 23 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| colspan="22"| Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAm00.htm pro-football-reference.com] |
=Postseason=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Kick Returns ! colspan="5"| Punt Returns ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 2021 | GB
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 66 || 22.0 || 26 || 0 || 2 || 11 || 5.5 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 66 | 22.0 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| colspan="21"| Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAm00.htm pro-football-reference.com] |
Personal life
Rodgers is the son of football coach Tee Martin.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Chris |date=January 30, 2017 |title=How Clemson football landed Tee Higgins, Amari Rodgers |url=http://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/01/30/how-east-tennessee-football-stars-tee-higgins-amari-rodgers-picked-clemson/97215006/ |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel}} He is close friends with former Packers teammate Randall Cobb, whom he met while Cobb was playing for Martin at the University of Kentucky.{{Cite magazine |last=Huber |first=Bill |date=July 31, 2021 |title=Trade Reunites Longtime Friends Cobb, Amari Rodgers |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/trade-reunites-longtime-friends-cobb-amari-rodgers |access-date=September 13, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://clemsontigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2020/amari-rodgers/ Clemson Tigers bio]
{{2018 Clemson Tigers football navbox}}
{{Green Bay Packers 2021 NFL draft picks}}
{{2024 Birmingham Stallions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rodgers, Amari}}
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:Players of American football from Knoxville, Tennessee
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Clemson Tigers football players
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:Houston Texans players