Hall of Fame
Position: Quaterback
Years: 2006-09
Place of Birth: Greenwood, SC
Date of Birth: March 8, 1988
Jersey Number: 14
Height: 5-11
Weight: 183
High School: Greenwood (SC)
One of the most thrilling players in college football history, Armanti Edwards became the first-ever two-time Walter Payton Award winner while leading Appalachian State to two FCS national titles and authoring one of the greatest upsets in college football annals. The Greenwood, South Carolina, native, now becomes the second App State player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
A four-time First Team All-American (2006-09), Edwards became the first Division I player in NCAA history with more than 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in a career. The two-time Walter Payton Award winner as FCS National Player of the Year went 42-7 as a starter for Hall of Fame coach Jerry Moore. His memorable victories include two FCS national titles and the historic 34-32 upset of No. 5 Michigan to open the 2007 season in Ann Arbor.
Edwards amassed 14,753 yards of total offense in his career (10,392 passing with 4,361 rushing) and 139 total touchdowns (74 passing with 65 rushing). He holds the FCS record for career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback at 65. He is tied with College Football Hall of Famer Steve McNair for the most FCS seasons (four) with 3,000-plus yards of total offense while ranking No. 2 in career rushing yards by a quarterback (4,361). His career total offense mark of 14,753 yards ranks No. 4. He also set 14 conference and 64 school records.
During Edwards' career, App State went 28-2 in conference games and posted four consecutive league titles. A four-time All-SoCon selection (three times First Team), Edwards was twice named the SoCon Player of the Year (2008, 2009), and he is a 2016 inductee to the Southern Conference Hall of Fame. App State retired his No. 14 in 2023.
A third-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by Carolina, Edwards played four years in the NFL with the Panthers and the Browns before heading to the CFL for six seasons. He won the 2017 Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts.
A member of the SoCon Academic Honor Roll, the App State Athletics Academic Honor Roll, and the Dean's List, Edwards volunteered with the Boone Celebrity Serve and reading books to children at area schools during his undergraduate years. He currently is a stock investor.
