The former HBCU QB finds his football home in the Bay Area

Courtesy of the Bay Area Panthers

The Bay Area Panthers are bringing back a familiar face with the signing of former HBCU quarterback Felix Harper from Alcorn State, who has played for the franchise for two seasons.

“We are very happy to have Felix back with us. “He is a full-field reader who is confident and thoughtful about where he wants to put the football,” said Panthers head coach Rob Keefe. “He has the ability to extend plays both inside and outside the pocket and can handle both physical and situational pressure.”

In 2024, Felix Harper played in nine games and completed 63 of 102 passes (62 percent) for 661 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was the team’s third-leading rusher with 178 yards and seven scores. Harper made four starts and recorded three wins against playoff teams – two against San Diego and one in Vegas. In the win over the Knight Hawks, Harper completed 15 of 20 passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to 68 yards on the ground and a score. On July 20 in San Diego, Harper led a second-half comeback with a scoring pass and a rushing touchdown during a 17-0 run that gave the Panthers a 30-20 victory.

The two-time All-American from HBCU Alcorn State is grateful for the opportunity and says the past two seasons have prepared him to make an important contribution.

“I want to thank Coach Keefe for bringing me back and believing in me as we embark on the next journey. Not everyone gets the opportunity to continue playing this game and I want to be a leader for this team,” said Felix Harper. “I have made progress every year. Going into my third year, I will definitely be ready to compete every day.”

About the Bay Area Panthers

The Bay Area Panthers are a professional indoor soccer team based in San Jose, California. They are a member of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and were scheduled to play at the Oakland Arena in 2020 as the Oakland Panthers. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Panthers’ inaugural season was canceled and the team subsequently withdrew from the following 2021 season. Before the 2022 season, the Panthers announced that they would instead play their home games at the SAP Center in San Jose and were renamed after the Bay Area.

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