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Will Rogers (American football)

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Will Rogers
Rogers with Washington in 2024
Washington Huskies – No. 7
PositionQuarterback
ClassRedshirt Senior
Personal information
Born: (2001-08-19) August 19, 2001 (age 23)
Louisville, Mississippi, U.S.
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight216 lb (98 kg)
Career history
College
High schoolBrandon (Brandon, Mississippi)

William Wyatt Rogers III (born August 19, 2001) is an American college football quarterback for the Washington Huskies, he previously played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He holds Mississippi State program records in nearly every major passing category and Southeastern Conference (SEC) records for single season and career completions.

Early life

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Rogers was born on August 19, 2001, in Louisville, Mississippi. He spent his early years in Louisville before his family moved to Brandon, Mississippi, when he was in the seventh grade.[1][2][3] The second of three children, his mother Judy attended the University of Alabama while his father Wyatt, a football coach, attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).[4] His paternal grandfather Bill Rogers also attended Ole Miss, playing on the school's baseball team with Archie Manning.[4] Rogers grew up an avid fan of the Ole Miss Rebels football team, idolizing quarterbacks Eli Manning and Bo Wallace.[4] A strong athlete, he played a variety of sports growing up, including baseball and soccer. However, he was the most passionate about football, where in elementary school he ran drills with his father's high school players.[2][5] While in middle school, Rogers would be mentored by future National Football League (NFL) quarterback Gardner Minshew, whom his father coached in high school, with the two forming a bond that continued even after Minshew had left Brandon to play college football.[6][2][1]

Rogers attended Brandon High School, where he played football under his father who served as the team's offensive coordinator.[4] He became the team's starting quarterback as a sophomore, throwing for 2,476 yards and 18 touchdowns.[5] In his second season as a starter, Rogers threw for 3,009 yards and 23 touchdowns, 14 of which were caught by future 2nd round draft pick Jonathan Mingo, and helped Brandon reach the state semifinals.[5][7] As a senior, Rogers threw for 3,572 yards and 38 touchdowns and was named a member of the Mississippi All–Star Team.[1]

Rogers was a 3 star prospect coming out of high school, ranked by 247Sports as the 29th best pro–style quarterback of his class.[8] There was little mutual interest between Rogers and his childhood team of Ole Miss, as the Rebels had hired Rich Rodriguez as their offensive coordinator, whose read option offense typically utilizes a dual–threat quarterback rather than a pro–style quarterback.[4] Rogers instead committed to play college football at Mississippi State University over an offer from Washington State, citing his relationship with Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead and the team's playing style as the reasons for his commitment.[1]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date[9][10][11]
Will Rogers
QB 		Brandon, MS Brandon High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) N/A Jan 23, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 77
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

College career

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2020

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Soon after Rogers enrolled at Mississippi State, the Bulldogs fired head coach Joe Moorhead in favor of Mike Leach, who had unsuccessfully recruited Rogers while at Washington State. In the offseason, Rogers and K.J Costello battled to become the team's starting quarterback, with Leach ultimately deciding to start Costello for the season's first game.[12][13]

Rogers made his collegiate appearance against Kentucky, replacing a struggling Costello. Rogers was unimpressive in his debut, throwing two interceptions.[14] The following week, Rogers was once again put in to relieve a struggling Costello, and threw for his first career touchdown in 28–14 loss to Texas A&M.[15] Against the eventual national champion Alabama, Rogers replaced Costello for the third week in a row mid–game, this time due to Costello suffering a concussion.[16] Rogers had a mediocre statistical performance against Alabama, but was praised by coach Mike Leach.[16]

Rogers made his first career start the following week, throwing for 224 yards and a touchdown in a 24–17 win over Vanderbilt.[17][18] Rogers served as the Bulldogs starter for the remainder of the season, recording a 3–3 record.[19] His best performance of the season came in the teams Egg Bowl rivalry game against Ole Miss, throwing for a then career–high 440 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 31–24 loss.[20][21]

2021

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Rogers entered the Bulldogs 2022 campaign as the team's starting quarterback, beating out transfer Chance Lovertich for the position.[22] In the season opener against Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs fell behind 31–14 in the 4th quarter before Rogers led the team to three straight touchdown drives to win the game 35–34, in what was then the largest comeback in program history.[23] Two weeks later, he threw for a season–high 419 yards on a school–record 50 completions in a 31–29 loss to Memphis. On October 2, he recorded his second 400 yard game of the season in a 26–22 upset victory over Texas A&M.[24][25] For his performance against Texas A&M; he was named the SEC offensive player of the week.[24] The following week against top five ranked Alabama, Rogers suffered an AC joint sprain but remained in the game, throwing for 300 yards, but would post his only sub–100 passer rating of the year in a 49–9 loss.[26] On October 30, he completed 36/39 passes in a 31–17 victory over Kentucky, setting an SEC record for single game completion percentage.[27][28] The following week, he once again threw for 400 yards as well as four touchdowns in a 31–28 loss to Arkansas.[28] On November 13, Rogers would have a historic performance on the road against Auburn. After falling behind 28–3, Rogers threw for six touchdowns, setting a school record for single–game passing touchdowns and leading the Bulldog's to their largest comeback in school history, ultimately winning 43–34.[29] In the Bulldog's final game of the regular season against Ole Miss, Rogers threw for 336 yards but the team fell to their in–state rival for the second year in a row.[30] Rogers finished the season having thrown an SEC record 505 completions and set program records with 4,738 passing yards and 36 touchdowns.[31][32]

2022

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Rogers got off to a strong start in 2022, throwing for 450 yards and five touchdowns in the Bulldogs opening game victory over Memphis.[33] Three weeks later he threw for 409 yards and 6 touchdowns in a blowout win against Bowling Green.[34] On October 8, Rogers had his third 400–yard performance of the season, and broke the Southeastern Conference career completions record.[35][36] In doing so he eclipsed the 921 completion mark set by Aaron Murray, despite playing in 24 fewer games than Murray.[36] Following losses to Alabama and Kentucky, Rogers bounced back by throwing for three touchdowns in a 39–33 win over Auburn.[37][35] Two weeks later, he posted a 194.0 passer rating, his highest of the season, in a blowout win over East Tennessee State. In the Bulldog's final game of the season against Ole Miss, Rogers earned his first victory against his childhood team in a 24–22 victory.[38] Two weeks prior to the Bulldogs bowl game, coach Mike Leach died after suffering a heart attack.[39] Rogers would lead the Bulldogs to an emotional victory in their bowl, dedicating the win to Leach in a postgame interview.[40] He finished the season with 3,713 passing yards and 34 touchdowns.

2023

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Entering the 2023 season Rogers holds Mississippi State records in career passing yards, completions and touchdowns.[37][41] Rogers entered the transfer portal on November 24, 2023.[42] On December 15, he announced that he would be transferring to Washington.[43] On January 12, 2024, he announced he was decommiting due to Kalen DeBoer becoming the head coach at Alabama, but he later chose to remain at Washington after Jedd Fisch was hired as the head coach.[44]

College statistics

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See also: NCAA Division I FBS passing leaders
Legend
Led NCAA Division I FBS
Bold Career high
Season Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
Mississippi State Bulldogs
2020 9 6 3−3 239 346 69.1 1,976 5.7 11 7 123.5 30 -41 -1.4 1
2021 13 13 7−6 505 683 73.9 4,739 6.9 36 9 147.0 62 -97 -1.6 0
2022 13 13 9−4 415 610 68.0 3,974 6.5 35 8 139.1 44 -165 -3.8 0
2023 8 8 4−4 142 237 59.9 1,626 6.9 12 4 130.9 29 -13 -0.4 1
Washington Huskies
2024 11 11 6–5 220 311 70.7 2,458 7.9 14 7 147.5 34 -79 -2.3 0
Career[45] 54 51 29−22 1,521 2,187 69.5 14,773 6.8 108 35 139.4 199 -395 -2.0 2

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Faulk, Robbie (December 19, 2019). "Will Rogers' long journey to Mississippi State's 2020 QB". GenesPage. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c DeRosa, Theo (September 30, 2022). "'He's still my brother': To his older sister, Mississippi State QB Rogers remains 'just Will'". The Dispatch. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  3. ^ Jackson, Torsheta (November 22, 2019). "Faith, family, football are all important to Brandon's Rogers - By Torsheta Jackson". Mississippi Scoreboard. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e Horka, Tyler (November 26, 2020). "How Will Rogers has Ole Miss family, friends rooting for Mississippi State in Egg Bowl". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Alexander, Wilson (January 22, 2019). "Brandon quarterback Will Rogers commits to Mississippi State". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  6. ^ McDougle, Anthony (July 18, 2019). "Brandon HS connection: How Will Rogers bonded with NFL draft pick Gardner Minshew". The Clarion-Ledger. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  7. ^ Collins, Hays (November 24, 2022). "Ole Miss' Jonathan Mingo, MSU's Will Rogers have been close friends since middle school days in Brandon". Mississippi Scoreboard. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  8. ^ "Will Rogers, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Quarterback". 247Sports. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  9. ^ "Will Rogers, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Quarterback". 247Sports. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  10. ^ "Will Rogers, 2020 Quarterback - Rivals". Rivals. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  11. ^ "Will Rogers - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  12. ^ Portnoy, Ben (September 15, 2020). "How Mississippi State quarterbacks K.J. Costello and Will Rogers earned their spots in their short time on campus". The Dispatch. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  13. ^ Farner, Keith (September 21, 2020). "Mike Leach names Mississippi State's starter at QB ahead of LSU game". Saturday Down South. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  14. ^ Faulk, Robbie (October 30, 2021). "One year later vs. Kentucky, Will Rogers shows continued evolution at QB". GenesPage. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  15. ^ "No. 11 Texas A&M Beats Mississippi State 28-14". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. October 17, 2020. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Horka, Tyler. "Last audition? Why Will Rogers might be Mississippi State's new starting quarterback". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  17. ^ Coleman, Joel (November 7, 2020). "Quarterback Will Rogers draws first career start for Mississippi State as Bulldogs host Vanderbilt". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  18. ^ "Vanderbilt at Mississippi State Box Score, November 7, 2020". College Football at Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  19. ^ Froyd, Chrissy (August 18, 2021). "Former Mississippi State QB Cut By Los Angeles Chargers". Sports Illustrated Fan Nation. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  20. ^ Horka, Tyler. "What Will Rogers, Jaden Walley proved for Mississippi State football in Egg Bowl loss". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  21. ^ "State Edged In Egg Bowl, 31-24". Mississippi State. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  22. ^ Kostka, Andy (September 4, 2021). "Mike Leach names Will Rogers Mississippi State football's starting quarterback". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  23. ^ Dugan, Michael (September 5, 2021). "MSU completes historic comeback to earn week one win". WLOX. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  24. ^ a b Dugan, Michael (October 4, 2021). "Will Rogers earns SEC co-offensive player of the week honors". WLOX. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  25. ^ Kostka, Andy. "Mississippi State upends No. 13 Texas A&M at Kyle Field". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  26. ^ Andy Kostka (October 18, 2021). "Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers suffered an AC joint sprain in shoulder". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  27. ^ "Mississippi State beats turnover-prone No. 12 Kentucky 31-17". CBSSports. October 31, 2021. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Bolden, Eric W. (November 6, 2021). "Arkansas scores in final minute to beat Mississippi State". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  29. ^ Kostka, Andy (November 13, 2021). "Will Rogers throws 6 TDs to rally Mississippi State to record comeback vs No. 20 Auburn". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  30. ^ Burrows, Chris (November 26, 2021). "No. 8 Mississippi beats Mississippi State 31-21 in Egg Bowl". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  31. ^ Kostka, Andy. "How three stats separate Will Rogers from the Heisman quarterback finalists". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  32. ^ Parker, Cam (October 10, 2021). "Will Rogers and Bumper Pool break records". WRUF. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  33. ^ "MS State knocks off Memphis as Rogers throws for 5 TDs". SECSports. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  34. ^ Spencer, Adam (September 24, 2022). "Rapid Reaction: Mississippi State rides incredible Will Rogers performance to easy win over Bowling Green". Saturday Down South. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  35. ^ a b "Will Rogers, Mississippi State Bulldogs, QB - 2022-23 Game Log - NCAAF". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  36. ^ a b Alex Scarborough (October 8, 2022). "Mississippi St. QB Will Rogers breaks SEC completions record". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  37. ^ a b East, Les (October 11, 2022). "Will Rogers running out of records to break at Mississippi State". Saturday Down South. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  38. ^ Burrows, Chris (November 24, 2022). "Rogers leads Mississippi State past No. 20 Ole Miss 24-22". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  39. ^ Sandomir, Richard (December 13, 2022). "Mike Leach, Football Coach With an 'Air Raid' Offense, Dies at 61". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  40. ^ Bardahl, Jayna (January 2, 2022). "Mississippi State honors Mike Leach in ReliaQuest Bowl win". The Athletic. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  41. ^ Krajisnik, Stefan (November 5, 2022). "Mississippi State football's Will Rogers breaks two more Dak Prescott passing records". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  42. ^ "2024 College Football Transfer Portal".
  43. ^ Vorel, Mike (December 15, 2023). "Report: Mississippi State transfer QB Will Rogers commits to Washington". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  44. ^ "QB Rogers, 4 others hit portal after DeBoer exit". ESPN.com. January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  45. ^ "Will Rogers College Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
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