Special-teamer Axel Perez returns to the Indoor Football League in 2025, coming to the Bay Area Panthers from the Northern Arizona Wranglers. He joins Panthers Head Coach Rob Keefe’s squad from NAZ along with Bay Area assistant head coach Les Moss.
Undoubtedly, Perez is one of the most dynamic kickers that the league has to offer. In 2024 with Northern Arizona, he was named to the IFL All-Rookie team after making 15 of 28 (53.6%) field goals, showcasing a long of 48 yards. Additionally, he won the IFL’s Special Teams Rookie of the Year.
Perez accumulated 178 total points over 16 games last season. Ironically, his finest contest of 2024 came in San Jose against the Panthers. The then-rookie kicker earned IFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors after producing 17 points—which featured two FGs, four drop-kick PATs (one in walk-off fashion) and two recovered onside kicks—in a historic comeback victory for the Wranglers.
Prior to landing in the IFL, he was a specialist at Hampton University (VA). Perez handled both the kicking and punting duties while playing for Pirates football from 2021 to 2022. There, he was a fan favorite and team leader.
As a punter, Perez’ senior campaign at Hampton featured an impressive 41.3-yard average distance. As a place kicker, he converted 8 of 13 (61.5%) field goal attempts. The year before, he was prolific, making 10 of his 11 (90.9%) total tries.
A product of Southern California, Perez also brings playing experience from Los Angeles Harbor College. Throughout his time with the Seahawks, he rose to prominence as one of the best junior-college punters in the nation for 2019. At LAHC, Perez attracted All-State accolades for his punting while notching an All-SCFA First-Team designation as a kicker.
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Perez—a native of Gardena, CA—attended Lawndale High School, graduating in 2017. As a prepster, he dazzled behind one of the strongest legs the Southland, kicking and punting for the Cardinals while also lettering in soccer.
Any student of the game knows that football consists of three phases: offense, defense and special teams. Now that Perez is kicking for Bay Area, the Panthers’ ST unit is one to be reckoned with in 2025.Â
