Brian Hoyer

Axel Edward Brian Hoyer (born October 13, 1985) is an American football quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans.

In 2002, as a sophomore, he compiled an 8–1 record with a 1.99 ERA.

He was the winning pitcher in the 2002 Ohio Division I State Championship game allowing 2 earned runs in 6 innings pitched.

In football, Hoyer compiled a 16–7 record (.696) as a two-year starter for head coach Chuck Kyle.

In 2002, he completed 131-of-263 passes (49.8%) for 2,130 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

In 2003, he completed 258-of-412 passes for 5,570 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions while leading his team to a 9–3 record.

He was named USA Today Prep Player of the Week for his performance against Shaker Heights High School.

He was an Associated Press Division I all-state selection as a senior.

He participated in the 2004 Ohio All-Star Classic and the July 24 Ohio-Pennsylvania Big 33 All-Star Game.

Hoyer was redshirted by Michigan State University in 2004, where he earned Scout Team Offensive Player of the Week honors twice.

In 2005, he saw action in five games in which he completed 15-of-23 passes (.652) for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

In a game against Illinois, he combined with Drew Stanton to throw seven touchdown passes, which tied the Big Ten single-game record.

In 2006, he played in eight games and completed 82-of-144 passes for 863 yards, had four touchdowns and three interceptions.

In 2007, Hoyer was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection.

He completed 223-of-376 throws (.593) for 2,725 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 13 games.

He had six 200-yard passing games.

In 2008, his senior year, he was listed among 26 preseason candidates for the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top senior quarterback.

That year, he played in 13 games and completed 180-of-353 passes (.510) for 2,404 yards and nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Since joining the NFL in 2009 as an undrafted free agent, he has started for eight different teams, the second-most in league history.

Hoyer's longest stint has been with the New England Patriots for eight non-consecutive seasons, primarily as a backup, and he was a member of the team that won Super Bowl LIII.

Despite being invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Hoyer was not selected in the 2009 NFL draft.

He signed immediately after the draft with the New England Patriots.

Hoyer debuted in the Patriots' preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 11-of-19 passes for 112 yards.

In the preseason finale against the New York Giants, he played at quarterback the entire game, leading the team on a comeback after trailing 21–0 in the first quarter to a 38–27 win, completing 18-of-25 passes for 242 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.

Hoyer finished the preseason 29–of–44 for 354 yards, including one touchdown, with a 98.1 passer rating.

Of the four quarterbacks behind Tom Brady during training camp, the Patriots released Matt Gutierrez, Kevin O'Connell, and Andrew Walter, leaving him as Brady's only backup when the Patriots made their final roster cuts on September 5.

Hoyer made his NFL debut on October 18, in the second half of a game against the Tennessee Titans.

On his first drive, he was 5-for-5 for 35 yards, concluding it with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, which set a franchise record for points scored in the Patriots' 59–0 win.

In the regular season finale, against the Houston Texans, he appeared in the game and finished 8-of-12 for 71 passing yards.

Hoyer entered the 2010 preseason as Brady's only backup.

During the preseason, Hoyer completed 32-of-57 passes for 471 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception and four sacks.

He saw his first action of the regular season late in a 34–14 loss to the Cleveland Browns, throwing his first NFL interception.

In Week 17, against the Miami Dolphins, he threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Tate for his first NFL touchdown pass.

Although the Patriots drafted quarterback Ryan Mallett in the draft over the summer, Hoyer retained his role as Brady's primary backup.

In the preseason, he threw for 296 yards on 25-of-42 passes with one touchdown and no interceptions.

Hoyer saw only limited action during the 2011 season; his only pass attempt was the Patriots' final attempt of the 2011 regular season.

His most successful season was with the Houston Texans in 2015 when he helped lead them to a division title.

Born in Lakewood, Ohio, and raised in North Olmsted, Hoyer attended Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he played both football and baseball for the Wildcats.

On the varsity baseball team, Hoyer played pitcher, infielder, and outfielder.