Luis Perez (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Luis Perez
| image = Luis Perez (cropped).jpg
| caption = Perez with the Arlington Renegades in 2023
| current_team = Arlington Renegades
| number = 12
| position = Quarterback
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|8|26}}
| birth_place = San Diego, California, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 220
| high_school = Otay Ranch
(Chula Vista, California)
| college = {{ubl|Southwestern (CA) (2013–2014)|Texas A&M–Commerce (2015–2017)}}
| undraftedyear = 2018
| pastteams =
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- Birmingham Iron ({{AAF Year|2019}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- Los Angeles Wildcats ({{XFL Year|2020}})*
- New York Guardians ({{XFL Year|2020}})
- New Jersey Generals ({{USFL Year|2022}})
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Vegas Vipers ({{XFL Year|2023}})
- Arlington Renegades ({{XFL Year|2023}}–{{UFL Year|2024}})
- Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- Arlington Renegades ({{UFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status =Active
| highlights =
- XFL champion (2023)
- XFL Championship Game MVP (2023)
- UFL passing yards leader (2024)
- UFL passing touchdown leader (2024)
- Harlon Hill Trophy (2017)
- NCAA Division II national champion (2017)
- First-team All-American (2017)
- First-team All-Lone Star Conference (2016, 2017)
| statleague = spring football
| statseason = 2025
| statweek = 1
| statlabel1 = Passing attempts
| statvalue1 = 1,076
| statlabel2 = Passing completions
| statvalue2 = 690
| statlabel3 = Completion percentage
| statvalue3 = 64.1
| statvalue4 = 44–20
| statlabel5 = Passing yards
| statvalue5 = 7,183
| statlabel6 = QB Rating
| statvalue6 = 89.5
| statlabel7 = Rushing yards
| statvalue7 = 179
| statlabel8 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue8 = 1
}}
Luis Francisco Perez (born August 26, 1994) is an American professional football quarterback for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M–Commerce Lions from 2015 to 2017. Prior to that, he played junior college football for the Southwestern Jaguars. 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
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{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign Luis Perez |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-sign-luis-perez-2024 |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=www.chargers.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=5 Things to Know About New Chargers QB Luis Perez |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/luis-perez-5-things-to-know |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=www.chargers.com |language=en-US}} and started playing quarterback at a young age in Junior High.
As a child, Perez went bowling with his family. Eventually, he started attending a bowling league every Tuesday at age nine{{Cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/from-the-bowling-alley-and-the-baseball-diamond-two-rams-prospects-have-taken-a-long-route-to-the-nfl|title=From the bowling alley and the baseball diamond, two Rams prospects have taken a long route to the NFL|date=2018-05-18|website=Orange County Register|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-12}} before being entered into tournaments. He soon became a top rated amateur in California,{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballweekly.com/2018/04/25/from-bowling-star-to-qb-in-five-years-luis-perez-is-the-nfl-drafts-most-unlikely-prospect/a6p505x/|title=From bowling star to QB in five years, Luis Perez is the NFL draft's most unlikely prospect|last=Edholm|first=Eric|website=www.profootballweekly.com|access-date=2019-02-12|archive-date=February 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213064112/https://www.profootballweekly.com/2018/04/25/from-bowling-star-to-qb-in-five-years-luis-perez-is-the-nfl-drafts-most-unlikely-prospect/a6p505x/|url-status=dead}} bowling 12 perfect games{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-rams-bowler-perez-20180516-story.html|title=Rams free agent quarterback Luis Perez has pro bowler skills|last=Farmer|first=Sam|website=Los Angeles Times|date=May 16, 2018|access-date=2019-02-12}} with the plan to go to a university on a bowling scholarship.{{Citation|last=Prep Pigskin Report|title=Luis Perez's Journey to the NFL|date=2018-04-30|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YTA_cntXSo|access-date=2019-02-12}} He chose not to pursue a Professional Bowlers Association membership mainly because he felt he could continue to bowl well into middle age but did not have that luxury with football: "I can bowl when I'm 50 years old. I can't play football when I'm 50."{{Cite web |date=2019-02-13 |title=AAF 2019: How Luis Perez gave up on professional bowling and YouTubed his way to learning quarterback |url=https://www.cbssports.com/aaf/news/aaf-2019-how-luis-perez-gave-up-on-professional-bowling-and-youtubed-his-way-to-learning-quarterback/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}
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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-alumni-luisperez-20161206-story.html|title=Perseverance paying off for former Southwestern QB|last=Maffei|first=John|newspaper=sandiegouniontribune.com|access-date=February 17, 2017|language=en-US}}
College career
=Southwestern College=
After training himself in quarterback fundamentals by watching Youtube videos,{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/united-football-league/story/_/id/44507987/arlington-renegades-quarterback-luis-perez-ufl-nfl | title=Arlington Renegades QB Luis Perez still chasing NFL dream | publisher=ESPN.com | date=April 4, 2025 | accessdate=9 April 2025 | author=Archer, Todd}} 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. 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. 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theswcsun.com/ex-qb-a-national-phenomenon/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405135046/http://www.theswcsun.com/ex-qb-a-national-phenomenon/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 5, 2018|title=Ex-QB a national phenomenon|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-12}} 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{{Cite news|url=http://www.universodeportivo.mx/article/2016/12/16/luis-perez-le-apunta-la-nfl|title=Luis Pérez le apunta a la NFL|newspaper=Universo Deportivo|access-date=February 19, 2017|language=es}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/articulo/deportes/futbol-americano/2016/12/16/perez-le-apunta-la-nfl|title=Pérez le apunta a la NFL|newspaper=El Universal|access-date=February 19, 2017|language=es}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://lionathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2578&mobile=skip|title=Luis Perez – Football|website=Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletics|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12}}
=Texas A&M–Commerce=
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". Perez transferred to play for Texas A&M University–Commerce (now named East Texas A&M University), at that time 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.
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.
File:Luis_Perez_2017_Texas_A&M_Commerce.png 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 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 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (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. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://easttexasradio.com/tamuc-sports-65/|title=TAMUC – Sports|last=Cooper|first=Clint|date=2017-11-28|website=EastTexasRadio.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-12}}
=College statistics=
==CCCAA==
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="8"| Passing | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | |
| 2013 | Southwestern (CA)
| 42 || 65 || 64.6 || 388 || 6.0 || 5 || 1 || 137.1 | |||||||
| 2014 | Southwestern (CA)
| 200 || 295 || 67.8 || 1,846 || 6.3 || 18 || 3 || 138.5 | |||||||
| colspan="2"| Totals | 242 | 360 | 67.2 | 2,234 | 6.2 | 23 | 4 | 138.2 |
==NCAA==
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="8"| Passing | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | |
| 2015 | Texas A&M–Commerce
| colspan="8"| 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 | |||||||
| colspan="2"| Totals{{Cite web|url=http://www.csgnetwork.com/quarterbackratecalc.html|title=Quarterback Passer Rating Calculator|last=Davis|first=For CSGNetwork.Com, Computer Support Group – Dr. Gene|website=www.csgnetwork.com|access-date=February 19, 2017}} | 665 | 985 | 67.5 | 8,327 | 8.5 | 78 | 16 | 161.4 |
= Awards =
- National champion (2017)
- Harlon Hill Trophy (2017){{Cite journal|url=http://www.cccaasports.org/sports/fball/2017-18/releases/Perez_Harlan_Hill|title=Former Southwestern QB Perez wins Harlon Hill Award as NCAA Div. II's top player for Texas A&M-Commerce – CCCAA|website=www.cccaasports.org|date=December 14, 2017|language=en|access-date=December 30, 2017}}
- 2× First-team All-Lone Star Conference (2016, 2017){{Cite web|url=http://lionathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2578|title=Luis Perez – 2016|access-date=February 17, 2017}}
- Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American (2016){{Cite web|url=http://fightingfalcons.com/documents/2017/1/31//DHallamerica_team_2016.pdf|title=FightingFalcons.com|website=Fighting Falcons}} Don Hansen's 2nd Team All-Super Region 4.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lionathletics.com/news/2017/1/18/football-six-lions-named-to-don-hansen-all-super-region-four-team.aspx|title=Six Lions named to Don Hansen All-Super Region Four Team|website=Texas A&M-Commerce|language=en|access-date=February 18, 2017}}
- Second-team All-American (2017){{Cite web|url=http://static.psbin.com/i/d/18itg3i2o0tz8w/D2Preseason-Lindy.jpg|title=Second team All-American|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-date=May 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531113737/http://static.psbin.com/i/d/18itg3i2o0tz8w/D2Preseason-Lindy.jpg|url-status=dead}}
- 2× First-team All-American (2016, 2017){{Cite web|url=http://herosports.com/d2-football/preseason-all-american-2017-avav|title=2017 D2 Football Preseason All-America Team – HERO Sports|last=Prosba|first=Zach|website=herosports.com|date=August 3, 2017|language=en-us|access-date=August 20, 2017}}
- J.W. Rollins Award as the Lone Star Conference's Offensive Player of the Year{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonestarconference.org/news/2017/11/17/all-lsc-football-awards-released.aspx?path=football|title=All-LSC Football Awards released|website=Lone Star Conference|access-date=December 30, 2017}}
- Associated Press First-team All-American{{Cite news|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2017-12-13/division-ii-ap-all-americans-texas-am-commerce-quarterback-perez|title=Division II AP All-Americans: Texas A&M-Commerce quarterback Perez leads first team|date=December 13, 2017|work=NCAA.com|access-date=December 30, 2017|language=en}}
- Association First-team All-American and Ron Lenz Division II Offensive Player of the Year{{Cite web|url=http://lionathletics.com/news/2017/11/17/football-perez-machorro-lead-29-honorees-on-all-lone-star-conference-teams.aspx|title=Perez & Machorro lead 29 honorees on All-Lone Star Conference Teams – Texas A&M-Commerce|website=Texas A&M-Commerce|language=en|access-date=December 30, 2017}}
- Voted Best Returning Quarterback in DII Football (2016){{Cite web|url=http://herosports.com/d2-football/vote-best-returning-d2-quarterback-avav|title=VOTE: Best Returning Quarterback in D2 Football – HERO Sports|last=Prosba|first=Zach|website=herosports.com|date=August 7, 2017|language=en-us|access-date=August 20, 2017}}
Professional career
=Los Angeles Rams (first stint)=
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.{{cite web|title=Rams Sign Six College Free Agents, Waive Thompson|url=http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Sign-Six-College-Free-Agents-Waive-Thompson/0c5c465e-1f21-41af-ab6c-7c2aa362b653|author=Simmons, Myles|website=TheRams.com|date=May 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103618/https://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Sign-Six-College-Free-Agents-Waive-Thompson/0c5c465e-1f21-41af-ab6c-7c2aa362b653|archive-date=May 16, 2018|url-status=dead}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.therams.com/news/luis-perez-plays-first-preseason-snaps|title = Luis Perez Plays First Preseason Snaps}} He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Rams Make Final Round of Cuts|url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-make-final-round-of-cuts|website=TheRams.com|date=September 1, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Rams Set Initial Practice Squad|url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-set-initial-practice-squad|website=TheRams.com|date=September 2, 2018}} He was released on September 18, 2018.{{cite web|title=Rams Waive QB Brandon Allen, Cut Two from Practice Squad|url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-waive-qb-brandon-allen-cut-two-from-practice-squad|author=Simmons, Myles|website=TheRams.com|date=September 18, 2018}}
=Birmingham Iron=
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.{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Ryan|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/alliance-of-american-football-qb-draft-aaron-murray-christian-hackenberg-highlight-qbs-taken/|title=Alliance of American Football QB Draft: Aaron Murray, Christian Hackenberg highlight QBs taken|publisher=CBSSports.com|date=November 27, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018}}{{cite news|last=Inabinett|first=Mark|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2018/11/birmingham-iron-picks-luis-perez-blake-sims-in-aaf-quarterback-draft.html|title=Birmingham Iron picks Luis Perez, Blake Sims in AAF quarterback draft|newspaper=The Birmingham News|date=November 27, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2019/02/luis-perez/|title=AAF may have found their Tom Brady in Birmingham's Luis Perez|last=Talbot|first=Damond|date=2019-02-11|website=NFL Draft Diamonds|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-11}}{{Cite web|url=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/02/10/rams-aaf-luis-perez-quarterback-birmingham-iron/|title=Luis Perez put on a show in AAF debut, had Twitter buzzing|date=2019-02-11|website=Rams Wire|language=en|access-date=2019-02-11}} 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=
After the AAF suspended football operations, Perez signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on April 9, 2019.{{cite news |author=Berman, Zach |title=Eagles sign three former AAF players: quarterback Luis Perez, receivers Greg Ward and Charles Johnson |url=https://www.philly.com/eagles/eagles-sign-aaf-charles-johnson-greg-ward-luis-perez-20190409.html |website=Philly.com |date=April 9, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2019}} He was waived by the Eagles on May 13, 2019.{{cite news |author=Erby, Glenn |title=Eagles waive QB Luis Perez & RB Nico Evans |url=https://theeagleswire.usatoday.com/2019/05/13/eagles-waive-qb-luis-perez-rb-nico-evans/|website=Eagles Wire |date=May 13, 2019 |access-date=May 13, 2019}}
=Detroit Lions=
On August 27, 2019, Perez was signed by the Detroit Lions, but was waived four days later.{{cite web|title=Lions sign free agent QB Luis Perez|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-sign-free-agent-qb-luis-perez|website=DetroitLions.com|date=August 27, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Detroit Lions establish 53-man roster|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-establish-53-man-roster|website=DetroitLions.com|date=August 31, 2019}}
=Los Angeles Wildcats=
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.{{cite web|last=Florio|first=Mike|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/15/xfl-announces-its-eight-allocated-quarterbacks/|title=XFL announces its eight allocated quarterbacks|publisher=Profootballtalk.com|date=October 15, 2019|access-date=October 22, 2019}} 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.{{cite web |title=XFL Transactions |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |website=XFL.com |access-date=January 19, 2020}}{{cite news |title=Wildcats Trade QB Luis Perez to New York |url=https://www.xfl.com/en-US/teams/los-angeles/wildcats-articles/quarterback-luis-perez-traded-to-new-york |website=XFL.com |date=January 19, 2020 |access-date=January 19, 2020}}
= New York Guardians =
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.{{Cite web|url=https://stats.xfl.com/Player/10443|title=XFL Live Stats|access-date=February 26, 2020|archive-date=February 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226115333/https://stats.xfl.com/Player/10443|url-status=dead}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2020/03/01/guardians-snag-much-needed-win-thanks-to-new-quarterback/|title=Guardians snag much-needed win thanks to new quarterback|date=March 2020}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://stats.xfl.com/18|title=XFL Live Stats|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412013007/https://stats.xfl.com/18|url-status=dead}}
However the XFL stopped its regular season after 5 weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.xfl.com/en-US/articles/xfl-statement|title=XFL Statement}} He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.{{cite news |author=Condotta, Bob |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |website=SeattleTimes.com |date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2020}}
=The Spring League=
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.{{Citation |title=TSL 2021: Jousters QB Luis Perez FOX Sports Feature |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKSEs4U00G4 |language=en |access-date=2023-01-21}}
=New Jersey Generals=
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.{{cite tweet |user=USFLGenerals |title=Roster updates for your New Jersey Generals |number=1509863610046205964 |date=April 1, 2022 |access-date=April 1, 2022}}
On the league's kickoff game on April 16, 2022, Perez threw the first ever touchdown in USFL history.{{Citation |title=Luis Perez passes to Randy Satterfield, scores first TD in USFL history |date=2022-04-16 |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/video/luis-perez-passes-randy-satterfield-scores-first-td-usfl-history |access-date=2022-04-17 |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417123811/https://www.nbcsports.com/video/luis-perez-passes-randy-satterfield-scores-first-td-usfl-history |url-status=dead }} 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)=
On July 23, 2022, Perez signed with the Rams.{{cite tweet |user=RamsNFL |title=LA Rams Transactions |number=1550908014256787457 |date=July 23, 2022 |access-date=July 23, 2022}} He was released on August 16, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Ulrich |first=Logan |date=2022-08-16 |title=Rams Waive Five Players |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/rams-waive-five-players-2/ |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}
=Vegas Vipers=
Perez was selected by the Vegas Vipers in the 2023 XFL Draft.{{Cite web|date=November 15, 2022|title= Meet XFL QBs: Stats, experience, what to know about the 15 quarterbacks |url= https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/35023460/meet-xfl-quarterbacks-2023-stats-experience-know?platform=amp |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=ESPN |language=en-US}} 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 (first stint) =
On March 28, 2023, Perez was traded to the Arlington Renegades in exchange for linebacker Ryan Mueller.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Anthony |title=Arlington Renegades Trade for Vegas Vipers QB Luis Perez |url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/arlington-renegades-trade-for-vegas-vipers-qb-luis-perez/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=xflnewshub.com |language=en-us}} He led them to the XFL Championship Game, where they upset the DC Defenders 35–26 to win the league title.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/37644934/renegades-upset-defenders-claim-improbable-xfl-title|publisher=ESPN|title=Renegades upset Defenders to claim improbable XFL title|author=Bien-Aime, DJ|date=May 13, 2023}} Perez re-signed with the Renegades on February 22, 2024.{{cite news |title=Luis Perez and Jordan Ta'amu to return for 2024 season |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/2024/february/22/luis-perez-and-jordan-ta-amu-to-return-for-2024-season |website=TheUFL.com |date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=February 23, 2024}} In 2024, Perez led the league in passing yards, touchdowns, passer rating, and completions.{{Cite web |title=UFL Player Stats |url=https://www.theufl.com/stats/player |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}} His contract was terminated on August 6, 2024.{{cite tweet |user=UFL_PR |title=The #UFL has announced the following transactions: |number=1820942963234455811 |date=August 6, 2024 |access-date=August 6, 2024}}
=Los Angeles Chargers=
Perez signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on August 6, 2024.{{Cite news |title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign Luis Perez |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-sign-luis-perez-2024 |website=Chargers.com |date=August 6, 2024 |access-date=August 6, 2024}} He was waived on August 27.{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Chargers Reduce Roster to 53 Players|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-reduce-roster-to-53-players-2024|website=Chargers.com|date=August 27, 2024}}
= Arlington Renegades (second stint) =
On January 2, 2025, Perez announced his intent to return to the Renegades.{{Cite web |last=Larsen |first=James |date=2025-01-06 |title=Luis Perez Announces Return To Arlington Renegades For 2025 |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/luis-perez-announces-return-to-arlington-renegades-for-2025/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Pro Football Newsroom |language=en-US}} He was officially re-signed on January 27.{{cite tweet |number=1884028617086124469 |user=UFL_PR |title=The #UFL has announced the following transactions for Monday, January 27 |date=January 27, 2025 |access-date=January 27, 2025}}
Professional career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| style="background:#f4c842; width:3em;"|
| Championship Game MVP |
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league |
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| League champion |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| League ! colspan="3"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="4"| Rushing | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}}
!Record | {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} | {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} | {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} | {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} | {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per passing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} | {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | |
| 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
| 5 || 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 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 71.7 || 1,200 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 6.9 || 9 || 1 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 105.6 || 12 || −11 || −0.9 || 1 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| 2023 | VGS | rowspan="2"| XFL
| 6 || 4 | 1–3|| 79 || 121 || 65.3 || 901 || 7.4 || 8 || 5 || 92.3 || 5 || 26 || 5.2 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| style="background:#afe6ba;"| ARL
| 3 || 3 | 1–2|| 69 || 102 || 67.6 || 730 || 7.2 || 1 || 2 || 83.4 || 8 || 35 || 4.4 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | ARL | rowspan="2"| UFL
| 10 || 10 | 3–7 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 225 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 336 || 67.0 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 2,310 || 6.9 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 18 || 4 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 99.4 || 7 || 16 || 2.3 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2025 | ARL
| 5 || 5 | 3–2 || 105 || 148 || 70.9 || 996 || 6.7 || 3 || 3 || 87.6 || 5 || 35 || 7.0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="3"| [https://www.footballdb.com/players/luis-perez-perezlu01 Career] | 46 | 37
! 19–18 | 775 | 1,199 | 64.6 | 8,015 | 6.7 | 47 | 22 | 89.2 | 65 | 196 | 3.0 | 1 |
=Postseason=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| League ! colspan="3" | Games ! colspan="8" | Passing ! colspan="4"| Rushing | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}}
!Record | {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} | {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} | {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} | {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} | {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per passing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} | {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | |
| 2022 | NJ | USFL
| 1 || 1 |0–1|| 19 || 25 || 76.0 || 191 || 7.6 || 0 || 2 || 63.9 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| style="background:#f4c842;"| 2023 | style="background:#afe6ba;"| ARL | XFL
| 2 || 2 |2–0|| 45 || 63 || 71.4 || 577 || 9.2|| 6|| 0 || 131.5 || 8 || 23 || 2.9 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="3"| Career | 3 | 3
!2–1 | 64 | 88 | 72.7 | 768 | 8.7 | 6 | 2 | 112.3 | 8 | 23 | 2.9 | 0 |
Personal life
Perez has been married to his wife Brenda since 2015; the two had dated since junior high school and share a birthday. He graduated from A&M–Commerce on December 14, 2017, along with his wife, the day before winning the National Title.
Perez released an autobiography called "The Spring King" in 2025.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category-inline}}
{{Texas A&M–Commerce Lions quarterback navbox}}
{{2017 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football navbox}}
{{Arlington Renegades starting quarterback navbox}}
{{2023 Arlington Renegades}}
{{Harlon Hill Trophy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perez, Luis}}
Category:American sportspeople of Mexican descent
Category:Players of American football from San Diego
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Junior college football players in the United States
Category:East Texas A&M Lions football players
Category:Los Angeles Rams players
Category:Birmingham Iron players
Category:San Antonio Commanders players
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL) players
Category:New York Guardians players
Category:The Spring League players
Category:New Jersey Generals (2022) players
Category:Arlington Renegades players
Category:Los Angeles Chargers players
Category:Hispanic and Latino American players of American football