R. J. Archer

Rush James "R. J." Archer II (born August 5, 1987) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the Arena Football League (AFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the William & Mary Tribe. Archer went undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft, afterwards signing with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).

Early life Archer was a three-year starter at Albemarle High School. He holds the school's record for passing yards (4,568), touchdown passes (41), completions, and attempts.

College career Archer enrolled at The College of William & Mary and was redshirted his first year, during which time he ran the scout team. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, he changed positions from quarterback to wide receiver, where he totaled 69 receptions. In 2008, he moved back to quarterback, but was not the full-time starter until the 2009 season when he threw for 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Professional career Archer was rated the 17th best quarterback in the 2010 NFL draft by NFLDraftScout.com.

NFL predraft height ft = 6 height in = 1 weight = 220 dash = 4.80 ten split = 1.66 twenty split = 2.76 shuttle = 4.27 cone drill = 7.10 vertical = 34 broad ft = 9 broad in = 4 note = All values from William & Mary Pro Day On November 10, 2010, Archer signed with the Spokane Shock of the Arena Football League.

With injuries to Vikings quarterbacks Brett Favre and Joe Webb, Minnesota re-signed him to the practice squad on December 7. He was subsequently placed on the Other League Exempt list by the Spokane Shock. He was elevated to the Vikings' 53-man roster on December 20 when quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was placed on injured reserve. He took the roster spot of guard Steve Hutchinson. The next day, it was reported that Archer was waived by the Vikings in favor of quarterback Rhett Bomar, who was signed off the practice squad of the New York Giants.

Archer played for the Milwaukee Mustangs of the Arena Football League in 2011 and the Georgia Force of the AFL in 2012.

On June 22, 2012, Archer was signed by the Detroit Lions. He was waived on August 23.

On October 11, 2012, Archer was added to the practice roster of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL. He was promoted to the active roster on November 1 and dressed in one game for the Blue Bombers during the 2012 season but did not record any statistics.

From 2013 to 2014, Archer played for the Jacksonville Sharks of the Arena Football League, recording 104 touchdowns on 5,381 passing yards.

On September 22, 2015, Archer signed with the BC Lions. He dressed in two games for the Lions but did not record any statistics. He was released following the season.

On December 3, 2015, the Sharks activated Archer from the other league exempt list.

Career statistics

AFL Year Team Passing Rushing 2011 Milwaukee 219 367 59.7 2,334 27 14 80.81 18 35 52012 Georgia 228 380 60.0 2,404 49 12 97.52 7 43 12013 Jacksonville 72 102 70.6 741 12 3 108.33 7 28 02014 Jacksonville 366 633 57.8 4,640 92 14 107.93 20 43 6 Career 885 1,482 59.7 10,119 180 43 98.57 52 149 12

College Year Team Passing Rushing Receiving 2006 William & Mary 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 1 15 15.0 0 30 489 0 2007 William & Mary 1 3 25 33.3 0 0 103.3 1 −1 −1.0 0 39 451 1 2008 William & Mary 28 53 387 52.8 3 1 129.7 23 90 3.9 2 0 0 0 2009 William & Mary 261 433 2,778 60.3 16 9 122.2 100 255 2.5 5 0 0 0 Career 290 490 3,190 59.2 19 10 – 125 359 2.9 7 69 940 1