The athlete who dreamed of becoming a professional bowler suddenly led a football team to a championship. It sounds like something from a sports movie, right? That’s exactly what happened to Luis Perez, the Arlington Renegades’ star quarterback. His journey from rolling strikes to throwing touchdown passes is as unexpected as it is inspiring. If you love an underdog story, you’re in for a treat.
Luis Perez Went From Bowling Alleys to the Football Field
Luis Perez wasn’t your typical high school football star. He didn’t even play varsity football at Otay Ranch High School in Chula Vista, California. Instead, he spent his teenage years perfecting his bowling skills.
Perez said he played so much that he once bowled a staggering 12 perfect games. And that’s 300 points each! However, everything changed when he attended a high school football game as a spectator. Something clicked, and he suddenly felt drawn to the gridiron.
With no varsity experience under his belt, Perez faced an uphill battle. He started studying quarterback techniques by watching YouTube videos. He analyzed professional players’ footwork, passing mechanics, and game strategies. His dedication paid off when he decided to walk on at Southwestern College, a junior college in California.
Perez’s first official step into organized football came at Southwestern College, where he was far from the star quarterback. Starting at the bottom of the depth chart, he had to earn every opportunity. In his first season, an unfortunate broken leg cut his playing time short after three games. By his second year, he had worked his way up to a starting role and led the team to a conference championship. His performance caught the attention of several Division II programs, setting the stage for his next move.
Texas A&M-Commerce Becomes The Turning Point
Perez transferred to Texas A&M-Commerce, a Division II school, where his football career truly took off. From 2016 to 2017, he put up video game numbers. Over 28 games, he threw for 8,325 yards and 78 touchdowns, breaking multiple school records. But his biggest accomplishment came in 2017 when he led Texas A&M-Commerce to an NCAA Division II National Championship.
That season, Perez passed for a jaw-dropping 5,001 yards and 46 touchdowns. This earned him the Harlon Hill Trophy, the Heisman Trophy of Division II football.
Despite his incredible college career, Perez went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, that didn’t stop him from chasing his dream. He signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent and participated in their training camp.
Over the next few years, Perez bounced around multiple leagues, each time proving his talent and resilience:
- AAF (Alliance of American Football): In 2019, Perez was drafted by the Birmingham Iron, where he showed flashes of brilliance before the league folded mid-season.
- XFL (2020 & 2023): Played for the New York Guardians and later the Vegas Vipers before being traded to the Arlington Renegades.
- USFL (2022): Played for the New Jersey Generals, where he threw the first-ever touchdown pass in USFL history.
Perez’s big break came in 2023 when he was traded mid-season to the Arlington Renegades. Despite joining the team late, he immediately made an impact. He led the Renegades to the XFL Championship Game, where they pulled off a 35-26 upset win over the D.C. Defenders. Perez put on a clinic, completing 26 of 36 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns, earning Championship Game MVP honors.
Following his championship performance, Perez caught the attention of the Los Angeles Chargers, signing with them in 2024 for training camp. Unfortunately, he was released before the final roster cuts, but his journey didn’t end there.
In January 2025, Perez re-signed with the Arlington Renegades, ensuring he remains one of the UFL’s top quarterbacks. He is set to lead the Renegades once again as they kick off the 2025 season on March 29 against the San Antonio Brahmas.
KEEP READING: 2025 NFL Mock Draft With Trades
So next time you watch him throw a touchdown pass, just remember—he might’ve been bowling a perfect game if life had taken a slightly different turn!
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