Armanti Edwards

Armanti Fredrico Edwards Sr. (born March 8, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a quarterback for the Appalachian State Mountaineers from 2006 to 2009, and was named a 2024 inductee of College Football Hall of Fame. Edwards led Appalachian State to one of the biggest upsets in college football history, a 34–32 victory over then fifth-ranked Michigan in 2007. He was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. In 2017, Edwards won the Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts. He last played for the CFL's Edmonton Elks.

In addition to leading Appalachian State to consecutive NCAA Division I Football Championships (FCS) in 2006 and 2007, Edwards became the first quarterback in Southern Conference history to lead his team to four straight conference championships. He became the first quarterback in NCAA Division I history to throw for 9,000 and rush for 4,000 yards in a career, accomplishing the feat against Furman on October 31, 2009. Later in the season, he would become the first quarterback to pass for over 10,000 yards and rush for an additional 4,000 yards in a career. He is also the first back-to-back and two-time Walter Payton Award winner, given to the Football Championship Subdivision's most outstanding offensive player, receiving the award in 2008 and 2009.

Early life Armanti is the son of Deborah Anderson and Freddie Edwards. At birth, Edwards weighed 4 pounds 11 ounces and was delivered 10 days late. In September 2006, his father, Freddie, was convicted of a 2005 murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. The conviction however was overturned because jurors were not given the option of finding Edwards guilty of involuntary manslaughter. During a retrial that concluded in June 2011 he was again convicted of murder and again sentenced to 30 years.

College career

2006 season Armanti Edwards led the Mountaineers to the FCS (formerly Division I-AA) National Championship in 2006 as a true freshman, beating the Minutemen of UMass 28–17. He finished the 2006 season with 2,251 yards and 15 touchdowns passing, and 1,153 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing. Edwards joined a select list as the fifth Division I player (Missouri's Brad Smith and Texas's Vince Young are among the others), and second freshman, to accomplish the feat of 2000 passing yards and 1000 rushing yards in one season. Edwards was named the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year at the end of the season.

2007 season Edwards started the 2007 season by guiding Appalachian State to a 34–32 upset victory over fifth-ranked Michigan of the Football Bowl Subdivision on September 1, in a game that was named the "Biggest Upset of 2007" by Sports Illustrated. In the game, Edwards threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns while also totaling 62 yards and a touchdown on the ground. On December 7, in a semifinal playoff game against Richmond, Edwards set the single game FCS rushing record for a quarterback, rushing for 313 yards and 4 touchdowns on 31 carries. He also completed 14-of-16 passes for 192 yards and 3 touchdowns. Edwards had been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Heisman Trophy in the 2008 season. Edwards established himself as a threat through the air and along the ground, and garnered elite status within the division. He and the Mountaineers won a third consecutive national championship, beating the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens, 49–21, in the championship game on December 14. He outplayed future Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in that game.

Edwards warms up prior to a game against Jacksonville University in 2008.

2008 season

The Mountaineers began the 2008 campaign against the LSU Tigers, the first time defending FBS and FCS champions have met to open the season. However, LSU prevailed 41–13, with Edwards accounting for 216 of Appalachian State's 472 total yards. Edwards accounted for 440 yards of total offense, becoming the Southern Conference's all-time leader in yards with a 70–24 victory over the Wofford Terriers on October 31. On November 15, the Mountaineers clinched the Southern Conference championship, joining West Virginia (1953–56), Furman (1980–83) and Georgia Southern (1997–2002) as the only programs to win four straight titles, with a 24–16 victory over the Elon Phoenix. In his 36th career start, he became the 26th FCS player in history to surpass 10,000 yards of career total offense in Appalachian's win over South Carolina State in the First Round of the 2008 playoffs. He was named the 2008 Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and was the winner of the 2008 Walter Payton Award, given to the top FCS offensive player. Edwards threw a career-worst 5 interceptions in a quarterfinal loss to eventual tournament winner, Richmond, denying Appalachian State their 4th consecutive FCS championship.

2009 season Before the start of the season, Edwards was involved in a lawn mowing accident, resulting in a trip to the hospital where he was treated and released. The injury sidelined him for the season opener against the East Carolina Pirates, a game which the Mountaineers would lose 29–24. With a 27–10 victory over Elon on November 14, Edwards became the only quarterback in conference history to win four consecutive championships. The following day, Edwards graduated after just three and a half years with a degree in graphic arts. On December 17, in a landslide victory, Edwards received the Walter Payton Award making him the first ever two-time recipient of the award.

Statistics Season Passing Rushing GP GS Rating Comp Att % Yards TD INT Att Yards Avg TD 2006 15 13 140.72 167 274 60.9 2,251 15 10 188 1,153 6.1 15 2007 11 11 159.34 148 222 66.7 1,948 17 7 237 1,588 6.7 21 2008 13 13 170.20 196 306 64.1 2,902 30 9 193 941 4.9 11 2009 12 12 147.90 257 378 68.0 3,291 12 7 137 679 5.0 18 Totals 51 49 154.54 768 1,180 65.1 10,392 74 33 755 4,361 5.8 65

Highlights and awards

Championships NCAA Division I Football Championship – 2006, 2007 Southern Conference Championship – 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Awards Walter Payton Award – 2008, Southern Conference Roy M. "Legs" Hawley Offensive Player of the Year (media) – 2008*, 2009* Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year (coaches) – 2008, 2009 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year (coaches and media) – 2006 All-Southern Conference Football Team: 1st Team (media) – 2006, 2008, 2009 2008, 2009 5x Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Month – 11/2006, 11/2007, 10/2008, 11/2008, 10/2009 8x Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week 5x Southern Conference Freshman of the Week – Unanimous selection

Records

Single game ASU and Southern – Rushing: 313 vs. Richmond, 2007 ASU – Rushing Yards Per Attempts: 10.1 vs. Richmond, 2007 ASU, Southern, and NCAA – Rushing Yards by a Quarterback: 313 vs. Richmond, 2007 ASU – Passing Yards: 433 vs. South Carolina State, 2008 ASU – Completion Percentage (min. 10 comp.): .895 (17–19) vs. Wofford, 2008 ASU – Touchdown Passes: 5 vs. Wofford, 2008 ASU – Touchdowns Responsible For: 7 vs. Richmond, 2007

Single season ASU – Rushing Yards by a Quarterback: 1,588, 2007 ASU – Rushing Yards by a Freshman: 1,153, 2006 ASU – Rushing Yards by a Sophomore: 1,588, 2007 ASU – Passing Yards: 3,291, 2009 ASU – Pass Attempts: 378, 2009 ASU – Pass Completions: 257, 2009 ASU – Completion Percentage (min. 100 comp.): .680 (257–378), 2009 ASU – Passing Efficiency: 170.2, 2008 ASU – Touchdown Passes: 30, 2008 ASU – 200-Yard Passing Games: 10, 2009 ASU – Consecutive 200-Yard Passing Games: 5, 2009 ASU – Passing Yards by a Freshman: 2,251, 2006 ASU – Passing Yards by a Sophomore: 1,948, 2007 ASU – Passing Yards by a Senior: 3,291, 2009 ASU and Southern – Total Offense: 3,970, 2009 ASU and Southern – Touchdowns Responsible For: 41, 2008 ASU and Southern – 250-Yard Total Offense Games: 10, 2008 ASU – Consecutive 250-Yard Total Offense Games: 5 (four times) ASU and Southern – 300-Yard Total Offense Games: 8, 2009 ASU – 400-Yard Total Offense Games: 4, 2009 ASU – Wins By a Starting Quarterback: 13, 2006

Postseason ASU – Single-Game Rushing Yards: 313 vs. Richmond, 2007 ASU – Single-Game Rushing Touchdowns: 4 vs. Richmond, 2007 ASU – Single-Game Pass Attempts: 54 vs. Montana, 2009 ASU – Career Pass Attempts: 342 ASU – Single-Game Completions: 29 vs. South Carolina State, 2008 ASU – Career Completions: 216 ASU – Single-Game Passing Yards: 433 vs. South Carolina State, 2008 ASU – Career Passing Yards: 2,885 ASU – Single-Game Touchdown Passes: 4 vs. South Carolina State, 2008 ASU – Career Touchdown Passes: 19 ASU – Single-Game Total Offense Attempts: 69 vs. Montana, 2009 ASU – Career Total Offense Attempts: 564 ASU – Single-Game Total Offense Yards: 495 vs. Richmond, 2007 ASU – Career Total Offense Yards: 4,186 ASU – Single-Game Touchdowns Responsible For: 7 vs. Richmond, 2007 ASU – Career Touchdowns Responsible For: 37 ASU – Single-Game Touchdowns Scored: 4 vs. Richmond, 2007 ASU – Single-Game Points Scored: 24 vs. Richmond, 2007 ASU – Postseason Wins By a Starting Quarterback: 11

Career ASU and Southern – Rushing Yards by a Quarterback: 4,361 ASU – Passing Yards: 10,392 ASU – Pass Attempts: 1,180 ASU – Pass Completions: 768 ASU and Southern – Completion Percentage (min. 250 comp.): .651 ASU – Passing Efficiency: 154.2 ASU – Touchdown Passes: 74 ASU – Passing Yards per Game: 203.8 ASU – 200-Yard Passing Games: 24 ASU and Southern – Total Offense Attempts: 1,935 ASU and Southern – Total Offense: 14,753 ASU – Total Offense Per Game: 289.3 ASU and Southern – Touchdowns Responsible For: 139 ASU and Southern – 250-Yard Total Offense Games: 35 ASU and Southern – 300-Yard Total Offense Games: 24 ASU – 400-Yard Total Offense Games: 8 ASU – Wins By a Starting Quarterback: 42

Professional career

Carolina Panthers Edwards was selected in the third round, pick #89, of the 2010 draft by the Carolina Panthers. It was reported that Edwards could see the field at a variety of positions including wide receiver, kickoff returner, and quarterback in the wildcat formation. He was first activated in the 2010 season for the October 10 game against the Chicago Bears. After a 34–3 loss against New Orleans and the loss of Matt Moore to the injured reserve list, Coach John Fox hinted that Edwards would see more snaps at quarterback in practice. Edwards was named the emergency/third quarterback for the first time before the November 14 game at Tampa Bay, behind new starter Jimmy Clausen and backup Tony Pike. Like Moore the week before, Clausen also suffered an injury. For the team's next game on November 21 against Baltimore, Edwards was again listed as the third-string quarterback; this time behind new starter Brian St. Pierre and backup Tony Pike. On December 12, Edwards featured at quarterback for one snap against the Atlanta Falcons completing a pass to fellow rookie David Gettis for no gain.

Edwards mostly played wide receiver, kick returner, and punt returner during his time with the Panthers. He was released on October 8, 2013.

Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns signed Edwards on October 31, 2013. He was placed on the team's injured reserve on November 20. On December 23, Edwards was released by the team with an injury settlement.

Chicago Bears Edwards signed with the Chicago Bears on June 3, 2014. He was released by the team during final cuts on August 29, 2014.

Saskatchewan Roughriders On February 24, 2016, it was announced that Edwards had signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Toronto Argonauts On May 27, 2017, Edwards was traded from the Roughriders to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for offensive lineman, Peter Dyakowski. Edwards had a breakout season in 2017 for the Argos, playing in all but one regular season game, catching 83 passes for 962 yards with four touchdowns. In the playoffs he caught seven passes for 56 yards en route to winning the 105th Grey Cup. In January 2018 Edwards and the Argos agreed to a new two-year contract. Edwards finished 2018 with a similar statistical line as 2017, with 4 receiving touchdowns and coming up just shy of 1,000 yards; however, the Argos went from first to worst, following up their 2017 championship with a league worst 4–14 record for 2018. 2019 saw the Argonauts with the same record, but Edwards eclipsed the 1,000 mark for the first time, and caught seven touchdowns. He became a free agent once his contract expired on February 11, 2020.

XFL Edwards signed with the XFL's Team 9 practice squad on February 19, 2020. He was signed off of Team 9 by the Dallas Renegades on February 25, 2020. He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.

Edmonton Elks On April 10, 2020, it was announced that Edwards had signed with the Edmonton Eskimos. He played in six games for the renamed Edmonton Elks in 2021 and was released on December 28, 2021.

Professional statistics

NFL Year Team GP GS Passing Receiving Rushing Kickoff returns Punt returns Comp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Sck Rate Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Ret RetY Avg Lng TD 2010 CAR 3 0 1 1 100 0 0 0 0 0 79.6 – – – – – 1 7 7.0 7 0 – – – – – 2 0 0 0 0 2011 CAR 16 0 1 1 100 11 11 0 0 0 112.5 – – – – – 1 5 5.0 5 0 3 35 11.7 17 0 32 176 5.5 17 0 2012 CAR 16 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 39.6 5 121 24.2 82 0 – – – – – 12 260 21.7 35 0 2 77 38.5 69 0 2013 CAR 4 0 – – – – – – – – – 0 0 – – 0 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 2013 CLE 2 0 – – – – – – – – – 1 10 10.0 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 – – – – – 4 28 7.0 12 0 Total 41 0 2 3 66.7 11 3.7 0 0 0 72.9 6 131 21.8 82 0 3 12 4.0 7 0 15 295 19.7 35 0 40 281 7.0 69 0

CFL Regular season: Receiving Punt return Rushing Year Team G Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Car Yds Avg Lng TD 2016 SSK41923112.24617568.01202115.561 2017 TOR178396211.644412665.511000000 2018 TOR187397413.36944328.01204317.8190 2019 TOR17691,01414.755711010.01002126.080 2021 EDM7161579.84500000000000 Totals: 60 260 3,338 13.8 69 16 24 164 6.8 12 0 8 54 6.8 19 1