Justin Rogers

Rogers has transformed himself since arriving on the Hilltop as a 202-pound freshman back in 2002. Dining on a 15,000-calorie-per-day diet, Rogers gained 60 pounds in the last four-plus seasons and now tips the scales at 262 pounds. His regimen has translated well to the field, as he led Conference USA in sacks in 2005 and finished second in the league in that category in 2006. A colorful character on and off the field, Rogers will probably shift positions at the pro level, as scouts eye him as a potential strong-side outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. Away from the field, Rogers is an avid hunter. He skinned a coyote during high school and gave the hide to his step-mom for Christmas. At Commerce High School, Rogers was a two-time All-District first-team selection and a member of the Herald Banner Dream Team. He helped his team win the state title in 1999 and 2001. He also competed in baseball, basketball and track, earning All-District honors on the baseball diamond. Rogers enrolled at Southern Methodist in 2002, spending the year competing on the scout team. He appeared in 12 contests in 2003, starting two at right defensive end. He was in on 33 tackles (16 solos) with an assisted sack. A foot injury sidelined Rogers for the final two games of 2004, as he posted 27 tackles (18 solos), 2.5 sacks and 5.5 stops for losses. As a junior, Rogers earned All-Conference USA honors, as he led the league with seven sacks, adding 10.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, three forced fumbles and a blocked kick. He finished sixth on the squad with 64 tackles (42 solos) while starting 11 games at right end. Rogers ranked 13th in the nation with 9.5 sacks in 2006, picking up All-Conference USA first-team accolades. He added 15 stops for losses and two forced fumbles with 59 tackles (41 solos), despite missing the Marshall game and most of the Texas-El Paso game with a neck sprain. In 44 games at Southern Methodist, Rogers started 26 times as a defensive end. He made 183 tackles (117 solos) with 19.5 sacks for minus 152-yards, 32 stops for losses of 184 yards and five quarterback pressures. He caused five fumbles, deflected two passes, blocked one kick and registered a safety.

positives

Well-built with smooth muscle definition and good growth potential...Jason Taylor-type (Miami) with good short-area speed...Fires low off the snap to gain leverage and control his blockers...Shows good body agility, using his hands forcefully to shed... Works well in closed quarters, wrapping the ball carrier properly... Explodes instantly into the backfield, battling all the way to push the pocket...Has an effective hand punch to jolt opponents back and uses an arm-over technique coming off the edge on the pass...Excels on stunts, playing with his hand down wide to the open side to get after the quarterback quickly...Has that explosive initial burst and long arms to seal off the outside rush...Has good inside counter moves off his bull rush and adequate recovery speed... Plays with good leverage to prevent blockers from containing him...Has the short-area agility to penetrate the line, collapse the pocket and pressure the quarterback.

compares to

JUQUA THOMAS-Philadelphia...Rogers is best served playing off the line of scrimmage, where he can accelerate quicker and attack from the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle rather than trying to shoot the inside gaps. He has a good motor in pursuit working in the short area, but has some tightness in his hips that could cause him to struggle some in his pass drops.

negatives

Lacks overall strength to prevent blockers from locking on and riding him wide...Plays more cautious in run support than vs. the pass, preferring to contain the play rather than step up to initiate the tackle...His lack of bulk causes larger blockers to cover him up and push him around in traffic, making him a better candidate for strong-side linebacker at the next level...Little stiff moving in the open field...Despite his quickness, he shows inconsistencies playing off the edge while in a three-point stance, feeling more comfortable standing upright.

2004: Sat out the Texas-El Paso and Nevada games with a foot sprain. 2006: Missed most of the Texas-El Paso game and the entire Marshall contest with a neck sprain.

Campus: 4.76 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided)

4.82 40-yard dash (against the wind)

Bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times

34-inch vertical leap

9'8" broad jump

4.3 20-yard shuttle

7.36 three-cone drill.

Attended Commerce (Greenville, Texas) High School, playing football for head coach Terry Cron

Two-time All-District first-team selection and a member of the Herald Banner Dream Team

Helped his team win the state title in 1999 and 2001

Also competed in baseball, basketball and track, earning All-District honors on the baseball diamond.

Economics major

An avid hunter

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