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Chris Rowland

{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Chris Rowland

| image = HoustonRoughnecksvsDCDefendersUFL52525-144 (54546668377).jpg

| caption = Rowland in 2025

| current_team = DC Defenders

| number = 12

| position = Wide receiver

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|12|19}}

| birth_place = Nolensville, Tennessee, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 8

| weight_lb = 170

| high_school = Ravenwood
(Brentwood, Tennessee)

| college = Tennessee State (2016–2019)

| undraftedyear = 2020

| pastteams =

| status = Active

| highlights =

| statlabel1 = Return yards

| statvalue1 = 53

| pfr = RowlCh00

}}

Chris Rowland (born December 19, 1997) is an American football wide receiver for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). Rowland played college football for the Tennessee State Tigers. After college, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Rowland also played for the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Stars.

High school

Rowland attended Ravenwood High School for high school. Rowland mostly played in the running back position at Ravenwood. After graduating in 2016, Rowland opted to play for Tennessee State.{{Cite web|url=https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/chris-rowland/_0SkfPiMEeKZ5AAmVebBJg/football/stats.htm|title = Chris Rowland's High School Football Stats}}

College career

In the 2019 college football season, Rowland was the only player in Division I to record a touchdown via a kick return, punt return, reception, and rush. He also broke the HBCU record for most receptions in a single season, a record which was previously set by Jerry Rice.{{Cite news |last=Gaither |first=Steven J. |date=April 25, 2020 |title=Tennessee State WR who broke Jerry Rice's record signs with Falcons |work=HBCU Gameday |url=https://hbcugameday.com/2020/04/25/tennessee-state-chris-roland-jerry-rice-record-signs-with-falcons/ |access-date=December 19, 2020}} For his efforts, he was named first-team all-conference as both a receiver and kick returner and received the Deacon Jones Trophy as the best player at an HBCU.{{Cite news |last=Organ |first=Mike |date=February 25, 2020 |title=Tennessee State's Chris Rowland is Black College Football Player of the Year |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2020/02/25/tennessee-state-chris-rowland-black-college-football-player-year/4868936002/ |access-date=December 19, 2020}}

= statistics =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Season

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="4"| Receiving

! colspan="4"| Rushing

! colspan="4"| Kick returns

! colspan="4"| Punt returns

GPGSRecYdsAvgTDAttYdsAvgTDRetYdsAvgTDRetYdsAvgTD
2016Tennessee State

| 11 || 3 || 16 || 236 || 14.7 || 0 || 14 || 57 || 4.1 || 0 || 42 || 992 || 23.6 || 0 || 13 || 111 || 8.5 || 0

2017Tennessee State

| 10 || 3 || 17 || 178 || 10.5 || 1 || 19 || 113 || 5.9 || 0 || 16 || 312 || 19.5 || 0 || 5 || 84 || 16.8 || 0

2018Tennessee State

| 8 || 8 || 57 || 727 || 12.8 || 5 || 3 || 17 || 5.7 || 0 || 1 || 37 || 37.0 || 0 || 14 || 182 || 13.0 || 1

2019Tennessee State

| 12 || 12 || 104 || 1,437 || 13.8 || 8 || 19 || 132 || 6.9 || 1 || 15 || 375 || 25.0 || 1 || 14 || 166 || 11.9 || 1

colspan="2"| [https://stats.ncaa.org/players/6152814?year_stat_category_id=14702 Career]41261942,57813.314553195.81741,71623.214654311.81

Professional career

=Atlanta Falcons=

Rowland signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL draft on April 27, 2020.{{Cite news |last=McFadden, Will |date=April 27, 2020 |title=Falcons agree to terms with 20 undrafted college free agents |work=AtlantaFalcons.com |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-agree-to-terms-with-20-undrafted-college-free-agents |access-date=February 8, 2021}} He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020,{{Cite news |last=McFadden, Will |date=September 5, 2020 |title=Falcons 2020 roster announced |work=AtlantaFalcons.com |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-2020-roster-announced |access-date=February 8, 2021}} and signed to the team's practice squad the next day.{{Cite news |last=McFadden, Will |date=September 6, 2020 |title=Falcons sign 14 players to practice squad |work=AtlantaFalcons.com |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-13-players-to-practice-squad |access-date=February 8, 2021}} He was elevated to the active roster on December 26 and January 2, 2021, for the team's weeks 16 and 17 games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.{{Cite tweet |number=1342923136359084034 |user=AtlantaFalcons |title=We have flexed OL Sean Harlow and WR Chris Rowland to the active roster. |date=December 26, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=McFadden, Will |date=January 2, 2021 |title=Falcons flex three offensive weapons for final game |work=AtlantaFalcons.com |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-flex-three-offensive-weapons-for-final-game |access-date=February 8, 2021}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 4, 2021.{{Cite web |last=McFadden, Will |date=January 4, 2021 |title=Falcons sign 11 players to reserve/future contracts |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-11-players-to-reserve-future-contracts |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}

On August 31, 2021, Rowland was waived by the Falcons.{{cite web|title=Falcons announce 53-man roster|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-announce-53-man-roster|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=August 31, 2021}}

=Tennessee Titans=

On November 10, 2021, Rowland was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.{{cite web|title=Titans Move CB Kristian Fulton to the Team's "Designated for Return From Injured Reserve" List|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-move-cb-kristian-fulton-to-the-team-s-designated-for-return-from-injured-|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=November 10, 2021}} He was released on November 23.{{cite web|title=Titans Make 13 Roster Moves – On the Active Roster, Practice Squad and Injured Reserve – On a Busy Tuesday|work=TennesseeTitans.com|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-make-13-roster-moves-on-the-active-roster-practice-squad-and-injured-rese|date=November 23, 2021|accessdate=November 23, 2021|first=Jim|last=Wyatt}}

=Philadelphia Stars=

On March 10, 2022, Rowland was drafted by the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-draft-supplemental-pick-results |title=USFL DRAFT 2022: SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT PICK-BY-PICK RESULTS |date=March 10, 2022 |publisher=Fox Media LLC |work=www.foxsports.com |access-date=March 11, 2022}} He was transferred to the team's inactive roster on April 22, 2022,{{cite tweet |user=USFLStars |title=Transferred to inactive roster |number=1517403351574409217 |date=April 22, 2022 |access-date=April 23, 2022}} with a shoulder injury.{{cite tweet |user=USFLStars |title=Game Status Report |number=1517420525017989120 |date=April 22, 2022 |access-date=April 23, 2022}} He was transferred to the active roster on April 30.{{cite tweet |user=USFLStars |title=Roster Updates |number=1520302184348274689 |date=April 30, 2022 |access-date=April 30, 2022}}

Rowland was placed on injured reserve by the team on May 8, 2023.{{cite tweet |user=USFLStars |title=Transferred Player to Injured Reserve List |number=1655769568131047426 |date=May 8, 2023 |access-date=May 9, 2023}} He re-signed with the team on October 1, 2023.{{cite tweet |user=USFLStars |title=Free Agent Signings |number=1708646726213697896 |date=October 1, 2023 |access-date=October 1, 2023}} Following the merger of the USFL with the XFL, the Stars folded.{{Cite web |last=Roush |first=Ty |title=USFL-XFL Merger: What To Know About The New United Football League |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/12/31/usfl-xfl-merger-what-to-know-about-the-new-united-football-league/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

= DC Defenders =

On January 15, 2024, Rowland was selected by the DC Defenders in the second round of the Super Draft portion of the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.{{Cite web |last=Rachuk |first=Stephan |date=2024-01-15 |title=2024 United Football League (UFL) Super Draft Tracker |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/2024-united-football-league-ufl-super-draft-tracker/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Pro Football Newsroom |language=en-US}} He was named to the 2024 All-UFL team on June 5, 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=UFL Announces Inaugural All-UFL Team |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/2024/june/05/ufl-announces-inaugural-all-ufl-team |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}} He re-signed with the Defenders on October 7, 2024.{{cite tweet |user=UFL_PR |title=The #UFL has announced the following transactions |number=1843415318406013402 |date=October 7, 2024 |access-date=October 8, 2024}} On June 2, 2025, Rowland was named to the All-UFL team as a receiver and return specialist.{{cite web |title=UFL Announces 2025 All-UFL Team |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/ufl-announces-2025-all-ufl-team |website=The UFL |access-date=3 June 2025}}

Career statistics

=NFL Regular season=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| League

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2" | Games

! colspan="5" | Receiving

! colspan="5" | Rushing

! colspan="5" | Return Yards

! colspan="2" | Fumbles

GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2020NFLATL

| 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 53 || 26.5 || 43 || 0 || 0 || 0

colspan="3" | Career {{Cite web|url=https://www.footballdb.com/players/chris-rowland-rowlach02?src=search|title=Chris Rowland Stats|website=www.footballdb.com|language=en|access-date=June 13, 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Stars Team Stats |url=https://www.foxsports.com/usfl/philadelphia-stars-team-stats |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=foxsports.com |language=en}}|| 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 53 || 26.5 || 43 || 0 || 0 || 0

=USFL/UFL career statistics=

class="wikitable"

! colspan="2"| Legend

style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|

| Led the league

Bold

| Career high

==Regular season==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! rowspan="2"| League

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="5"| Receiving

! colspan="5"| Rushing

! colspan="5"| Kick returns

! colspan="5"| Punt returns

GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTD
2022PHIrowspan="2"| USFL

| 9 || 2 || 21 || 215 || 10.2 || 22 || 1 || 3 || 25 || 8.3 || 17 || 0 || 4 || 114 || 28.5 || 43 || 0 || — || — || — || — || —

2023PHI

| 3 || 1 || 9 || 83 || 9.2 || 24 || 1 || 4 || 20 || 5.0 || 17 || 0 || 13 || 322 || 24.8 || 46 || 0 || — || — || — || — || —

|2024DCrowspan="2"| UFL

| 10 || 3 || 20 || 262 || 13.1 || 46 || 3 || 4 || 29 || 7.3 || 13 || 0 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 45 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,223 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 27.2 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 84 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1 || 12 || 142 || 11.8 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 45 || 0

|2025DC

| 10 || 8 || 42 || 522 || 12.4 || 65T || 3 || 5 || 40 || 8.0 || 18 || 0 || 18 || 393 || 21.8 || 38 || 0 || 11 || 114 || 10.4 || 17 || 0

colspan="3" | [https://www.footballdb.com/players/chris-rowland-rowlach02 Career] || 32 || 14 || 92 || 1,082 || 11.8 || 65 || 8 || 16 || 114 || 7.1 || 18 || 0 || 80 || 2,052 || 25.7 || 84 || 1 || 23 || 256 || 11.1 || 45 || 0

==USFL/UFL Postseason==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! rowspan="2"| League

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="5"| Receiving

! colspan="5"| Rushing

! colspan="5"| Kick returns

! colspan="5"| Punt returns

GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTD
2022PHIUSFL

| 2 || 0 || 5 || 98 || 19.6 || 43 || 1 || 5 || 35 || 7.0 || 19 || 0 || 2 || 59 || 29.5 || 32 || 0 || — || — || — || — || —

|2025DCUFL

|

colspan="3" | Career {{Cite web|url=https://www.footballdb.com/players/chris-rowland-rowlach02?src=search|title=Chris Rowland Stats|website=www.footballdb.com|language=en|access-date=June 13, 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Stars Team Stats |url=https://www.foxsports.com/usfl/philadelphia-stars-team-stats |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=foxsports.com |language=en}}|| 2 || 0 || 5 || 98 || 19.6 || 43 || 1 || 5 || 35 || 7.0 || 19 || 0 || 2 || 59 || 29.5 || 32 || 0 || 0 || 0 | 0 || 0 || 0 | 0 || 0

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [https://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/players-roster/chris-rowland/ Atlanta Falcons bio]

{{Deacon Jones Trophy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rowland, Chris}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football wide receivers

Category:Tennessee State Tigers football players

Category:Players of American football from Tennessee

Category:Atlanta Falcons players

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen

Category:Philadelphia Stars (2022) players

Category:DC Defenders players