FRANKLIN - Austin Rogers prepared for a denial.
So by the time the Tennessee receiver found out he might actually win an appeal for a sixth year of eligibility, he had already accepted his fate and turned the page.
Rogers spent months pushing through rehab on a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in July, grinding to get back on the field late in the season and working under the assumption it was his last chance with the Vols. He found out before the Chick-fil-A Bowl he might have a shot at one more, but by that point it was basically too late.
"The way it ended up, the whole time I was thinking I wasn't going to get it because the trainers and everybody was saying that with my situation, (a sixth year) just didn't look likely," Rogers said. "Back in July and August when they were telling me that, I was just like, 'OK, I'm going to get this knee ready to try to take a shot at the NFL.'
"Then come late-December, they told me they thought they'd be able to get it and they just had to go further with some more paperwork. But by that time I had made up my mind. I basically talked it over with my wife and with my parents and everything, it was just the best situation for me with all the uncertainty up there at Tennessee just to go ahead and move on."
Certainly the coaching change last month raised issues for virtually everybody around the program, but it really wasn't a deciding factor for Rogers as much as reassurance he was making the right decision.
He had reasons to stay, starting with the chance to play with his brother Zach for a year and another season to showcase his ability as a speedy threat on the perimeter. But he's also spent five years at UT, there's the risk of another injury to consider, and he'll still have a chance to impress scouts with a healthy knee during his UT Pro Day workout next month.
"I mean, I'm light years further along than I was back in the season when I was hobbling around, on the bike, just standing there catching the ball," Rogers said. "I'm not wearing the knee brace anymore, I really feel 100 percent. It doesn't hamper me at all anymore.
"I'm just trying to come out for Pro Day (March 17) and run fast, be able to do all the agility drills well without any problems so the scouts can see me, see that this knee is 100 percent and that I'm ready to come out. Hopefully I'll run fast, catch well at Pro Day and we'll go from there."
Rogers did both of those well during a light workout Thursday at D1 Sports outside of Nashville, moving easily through his routes and cutting without any limitations. But he'll have plenty of questions to answer as prepares for the NFL draft in April.
Rogers missed almost all of the 2006 season with a shoulder injury and mononucleosis. He only caught 14 balls during his last healthy season, and he spent all of last year on the sideline.
But he also has a 56-catch, four-touchdown season on his resume, and he doesn't want to wait for the pros to give that and his clean bill of health a look.
"It was best for my wife and I just to go ahead and move on because we're ready," Rogers said. "I just had kind of made up my mind already back in August when they told me another year wasn't likely.
"I just had to get my knee ready for the next level and give it a shot."
This time though, Rogers is going to work expecting an approval.
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Comments » 100
SummittsCourt writes:
Wishing Rogers the best of luck, hopefully he can make it to the NFL.
nocleats writes:
Good Luck Austin.. Godspeed man and thank you!
daniellovesutfootball writes:
Good luck Austin! Thank you for investing your college career at the greatest college in the nations, UT.
RockyTopBoy writes:
Austin - I hope the very best for you. You are a hard worker and I know you will give it everything you got. Tennessee is very proud of you.
Ironcity writes:
Sounds like Austin made an adult decision. Good luck with your family and your future. Maybe if it doesn't work out Austin can be a grad assistant in the future.
MGUTVOL03 writes:
hahaha. this is funny, Austin Rogers in the NFL! are you joking? We are talking about the Austin Rogers who drops every other pass even when hit in the hands right? Austin, the next football team you'll be playing for is your coed church league team. NFL, Really!!!???? at least you won't be here anymore dropping passes. slide over, bring on Der'rick!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Wish him all the best; he gave his all to the vols..but because of his injury he isn't on any pro teams draft board; his future at best is on maybe some teams practice squad or selling insurance..His knee cut short what probably would have been a good senior season and a 6th round pick..A bad ending for someone who deserves better
orangebloodgmc writes:
Best of luck, Austin. But I don't think you should be cutting hard only 7-8 months after an ACL repair.
RoadTrip writes:
Good luck and thanks for your efforts and heart, Austin.
utken1942 writes:
god speed and hope to see you Sundays in the NFL
Cldvols1 writes:
Best of luck Austin, I think you're making a wise decision!
Mark63 writes:
My best wishes for you Austin, good luck in the NFL. We are all pulling for you.
hueypilot writes:
Okay I'll say it. NFL? Are you kidding me? I think Austin needs to get a resume dusted off for something besides football.
GreerVol22 writes:
"it was just the best situation for me with all the uncertainty up there at Tennessee just to go ahead and move on."
Certainly the coaching change last month raised issues for virtually everybody around the program, but it really wasn't a deciding factor for Rogers as much as reassurance he was making the right decision.
huh? the uncertainty of Tennessee gave you reassurance you were making the right move, yet it didn't play a deciding role? well wishes dude, but there is about a 1% chance of making an NFL roster. I would have chosen a sixth year, grad school, and then looked forwad to a non-NFL career and starting a family. I guess those freshmen recievers were scary competition eh? Good luck to you.
Orangeatang writes:
Thank God we are done with him. NFL? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
murrayvol writes:
Thanks for being a Volunteer Austin. Good luck.
DC_Vol writes:
Greer I completely agree with you. I am unsure why a sixth season at UT, if given the option, wouldn't be the best option for Austin who wants to play in the NFL. I doubt he will make an NFL squad by leaving. I do believe he would have had a better opportunity of showcasing his talent and proving to the NFL he has healed from his many injuries. Also Grad school would have been completely paid for, not an immaterial amount of money by any stretch. He could have used a grad degree to better himself for a great job in the real world like the rest of us.
Best wishes Austin on your future endeavors.
scvols writes:
You are correct, if he came back and had a good year, he could move all the way up to 3rd round and get some money. It was a long shot for him to get to the NFL and now it is that much longer. Who are these kids listening to???? Bad, bad choice ....
Biggie writes:
With his injury history, his chances are very, very slim. I hope he has something else lined up for the day after the draft.
GreerVol22 writes:
DC,
yep, hindsight being what it is, you and I have paid a few bills, tossed a few mortgages, etc so our options would be clear....but it would tickle me to death to see him actually perform out of his mind and make a squad.
MadMax writes:
Good luck Austin, sadly we have a number of (and I use the term lightly) fans who have never done anything for UT that run their mouth. If you had never caught a pass as a Vol you would still have done more than so many of the Jackasses here.
BigBadVol writes:
Damn people let the kid have a dream. Reality will set in soon enough.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
AT LEAST HE'S NOT GOING TO PRISON , THEY ARE THE ONES THAT DROPPED THE BALL .IDIOT
vol4gzus writes:
Naffy/nafslov is chipping in on 2 posts with his continual, mostly anti-white drivel. You've badgered Austin throughout his career with hatred that wasn't veiled at all. Yes, we can debate all the day about dropped passes that we wish had been caught. Also we can remember some tough catches across the middle that were caught. NFL is probably a dream and who wouldn't want a shot at it. If NFL Europe was still around he might have been develpomental with an opportunity. Show the naysayers that same great attitude that you had when you proudly wore the Orange and White! Best wishes to you and your wife!
SwamisBigOrangeCrystalBall writes:
KNS - Vacation is over..Any football news is welcome.
Ironcity writes:
Whats up with all the hatred here on this board? The man is married. Maybe he wants to actually make a living and to support his family? Whether its football or not wish the man well. Last I checked there isn't much pay for running through the T on Saturday.
vol4gzus writes:
Nafslov I hate to inform you of two things that will probably shatter your little world........Santa Claus and the easter bunny are not real..Where did that scream come from? OOPS the tooth fairy isn't real either...Ouch what a loud shrill scream that was.
You are right I remember Garcon catcing that ball and streaking untouched down the sideline..oops he dropped it and tha Saints were happy because of it.
Well I think its your nap time or is it snack time?
'Life is alike a box of chocolates you never know what you're going to get' unless naffy brings the box. Full box of gripe and denigrating mostly white ex-vols. Sad life when all one can do is berate those they don't like or are jealous of.....
PennVol writes:
A lot of folks hating on Rogers but dropping passes is correctable with the right coaching. I vaguely remember some fumbling guy named Arian Foster having a decent year with the Texans this year. Rogers may have a slim chance of making the NFL but his chances are still a lot higher than any of us! Good luck to him!
Volunatic writes:
Best of luck to you, Austin. Your great work ethic will take you far in life.
OrangeMagic writes:
Most of what we have on this board are loser wannabes who can only raise their plummeting self-esteem by the denigration of others. Seems as if they were true fans, they would only do that to our rival teams.
Maybe other fan sites have these same kind of idiots putting down their current/previous coaches and players down, but it sickens me to see it constantly on this site. What kind of a turd do you have to be to put down another person's dream?
FWBVol writes:
I was waiting to see how long it took the Austin bashers to come out of the woodwork. I really don't have an opinion about the kid other than he put his body on the line for Tennessee.
I think the risks of further injuries at UT is the biggest reason for his leaving, and learning a fourth offense in the last four years. If he has to learn another offense why not take the plunge?
He did have the one good year that shows he might have NFL potential and if he wants to dream that dream, more power to him.
Volunatic writes:
Proof that Austin Rogers is a lot tougher than any of his spineless detractors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqLVX8...
His helmet was ripped off, and he still dove at the defender HEADFIRST to try to get the first down.
MadMax writes:
LOL .... the closest you might ever come to having the final pick in the draft will be as fantasy team owner.
vol4gzus writes:
Naffy/nafslov that was creative and funny....not.
Get back to work on coloring inside the lines so you can still have shot line leader at recess today. I've been told its cold in the basement at school. Is it so? Hang in there and graduate this year to K-5. Austin played and dropped some....did Denarius Moore drop one wide open in Chic Fil A bowl?
murrayvol writes:
And you're a terrible poster on an average board. You making minimum wage yet Naffy??
murrayvol writes:
Not even close.
vol4gzus writes:
No bluff the young man made many tough catches and yes dropped many tough catches. Get with Naffy and research them all and see if he didn't play and try hard. See the post just before yours that has a you tube post....the one just before I was called out by ewe. Didn't call you a naysayer. Young man deserves better from UT faithful than bashing. Imagine if he was your son and got this stuff I bet you would be so happy. That wasn't fair my son tried his hardest for UT and this is what he gets. All you and I can ask is that they try their hardest every play and I believe Austin Rogers did so and that should be enough of the bashing.
OrangeMagic writes:
I did speak for myself and I see the turd that I described in my earlier post recognized himself and just had to respond. Great job ID'ing yourself for the rest of the board.....jackazz LOL
Where's your resume? Just because you're STILL toting a clipboard doesn't make you an NFL scout. Wish this young man well and save the bitterness for bammers. Or....here's a novel idea, just wish him well and leave it at that.
SwamisBigOrangeCrystalBall writes:
Attention KNS ====== You let the word TURD slip by your filters.. You could change TURD to TURDY.. Sounds better
OrangeMagic writes:
I like your attempt at intellectual banter, but for me it's analogous to playing fetch with the dog :) Too bad Richard and Larry haven't had a better impact on you and I'll bet the rooster would crow more than three times if I asked them if they knew you LOL. Hell, I'll bet I would think I was at a cockfight in South Carolina :)
Key phrase is that you've been AROUND NFL camps. How am I "holier than thou" (though I probably am) by defending the coaches and players who've given their all for UT? And I have already found out that I don't know everything but at least more than you, obviously.
Ironcity writes:
Its not about what we honestly think about his potential in the NFL. If this was just about football I would bet he comes back. Its about life and the opportunity to do something with a degree and to move on to the next phase of his life. For some on here they only look at it from a football perspective and feel compelled to attack the guy.
hueypilot writes:
Thanks for your comments Biggest. I was unbelieving of Rogers chances to make an NFL roster simply because he never showed himself to be an NFL caliber player in the games I saw him play for UT. Unlike you, I never played, but for a guy to play in the NFL, he needs to distinguish himself at the lower level. I appreciate the hard work Rogers did for my school and wish him the best in the future, but he was not ever going to make a pro football roster.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Did they say NFL? His name shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as NFL, thats funny! AR is a good kid and I wish him well, but NFL, no way!
InertGas writes:
Fool !!
vol4gzus writes:
Said get with Naffy,not that you are naffy for one. Just brought up Danarius drop since naffy never remembers those..I think he is still waiting on Ahmad Paige to do something...oops he is at Louisiana tech. I never have said my opinion is better than your or anybodies. I didn't say because he played hard he deserved a shot at the next level. I could care less whether our players are pink polka dotted, green., black, white,etc. "Man looks on the outward appearance,but God looks on the heart." 1Samuel 16:7.
Sorry to get your feathers or scales(gator) in a little tizzy. Just tired of people who just can't find a way to say something nice about someone and refuse to do so. Man that is a bitter pill they continue to choose to take over and over. That is sad isn't it?
Ironcity writes:
I don't view your post as an attack I just don't think it needs to be written. We all know at best he gets a FA contract and that his chances are long at best. That goes without saying so why do some on here act as if he is an idiot for trying. What I am saying is I think this is a player who has moved on from the college scene. He is married, I think he has a degree he probably has positioned himself to have a nice career at whatever he chooses to do. Lets leave it at that and wish him well. Whether he dropped a couple of passes in 2008 really is irrelevant at this point.
OrangeMagic writes:
What I'm trying to say is that if I were a Memphis St. fan and you came to play for that program I would cheer you on and if you tried out for a pro team, I would wish you the best, not tell everyone you don't have a chance in hades, even if I thought your prospects of making an NFL roster were non-existent. Am I being untrue to myself just because I don't spout that negative opinion on a message board?
I just don't get the bashing of our players and coaches, never have, never will.
OrangeMagic writes:
Very well stated
johnlg00#206211 writes:
He got his degree and was an excellent student. He will be OK whatever happens with the NFL. Why not at least see if pro football is a possibility before settling down for "civilian" life? Very few of us ever got even THAT opportunity.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Who is to say that he couldn't still tote a clipboard if--or, more realistically, after--he has his shot at the NFL? He is a smart guy and devoted several good years to the program and the school. With his academic record, he should have a good shot at financial aid for grad studies whether he remains with the football program or not. It's all up to him, but for sure he has better prospects for a satisfying life than many of the naysayers on here today. Not to put you into that category, but why be so negative when Austin's choices cannot have any possible effect on the rest of your life?
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