University of Tennessee Athletics
VERSATILITY PAYING OFF FOR ROGERS
August 18, 2006 | Football
Aug. 18, 2006
By Austin Ward, UT Sports Information
All Tennessee sophomore Austin Rogers wants is to get on the field for the Vols.
Which makes for just about a perfect partnership, since all the Vols really want is to get Rogers on the field.
All over the field really, since the UT depth chart is littered with Rogers' name at enough positions that it's a wonder the Nashville-native will ever be off the gridiron.
Wide receiver. Kick returner. Punt return man. Kickoff team. Punt team.
Defensive back?
"They told me I might play some defense, but I haven't played any at defense yet and haven't practiced there any at all," Rogers said. "I have had a year off, but if that's what they need me to do, I can make the transition."
So it goes for Rogers, whose athletic ability makes him a valuable asset for the Vols at a number of positions. The problem - if it can be called one - is finding that one spot where Rogers can get comfortable and thrive.
Or not.
"I'm just looking forward to getting in the game and contributing as best I can at whatever position they need me at," he said.
Right now, that position is wide receiver.
Rogers was recruited out of David Lipscomb High School as a receiver, and the 6-2 speedster is currently battling to make receiving coach Trooper Taylor's five-man rotation.
If Rogers had his way, he'd rather be burning defensive backs than becoming one, so he's been working on the little things to try and stay on the offensive side of the ball.
"Right now I'm just concentrating on being a receiver and getting the best I can at that position," said Rogers, who had one catch for 18 yards in limited action as a freshman. "It's going great right now. I think we're getting a lot done out here in the heat, getting banged around, testing our endurance and getting things done. I'm just concentrating on catching the ball and doing the little things, blocking and stuff like that, so I think it's going well."
It's also making things a little harder on Taylor as he tries to finalize his receiving corps. Jayson Swain, Robert Meachem, Bret Smith and Lucas Taylor are all-but-assured their spots, but the progression of Rogers and fellow sophomore Josh Briscoe has made the race for the final spot tighter and created the possibility of a position change for Rogers.
But Taylor's not ready to let him go just yet.
"He's battling with Josh Briscoe to get that fifth receiver spot," Taylor said. "He knows that, and I don't think it's any secret.
"Consistency is the key (for Rogers), he knows I'm always pushing him to make that tough block, make the tough catch across the middle, because that's what that position requires you to do. So far, I've been pretty impressed with his work habits and the way he's been playing.
"He came here as a wide receiver and that's what he wants to do, and it's my job to put him in a position to be successful. But he's got to do his part, and I think he understands that. But I can't take him up here one day and down here the next, so I'm hoping that he'll outwork those other guys and earn a spot."
He's got work to do at other spots, as well.
Earning a consistent role in the return game won't be easy, either, as the depth is every bit as impressive with the specialists on the special teams.
Rogers stood out in the first scrimmage after an impressive kick return, but it's the basics that have assistant coach Larry Slade excited about his potential.
"Austin is one of those consistent guys," Slade said. "He's a guy that's catching punts awfully well right now, and it's just about his nature. He's an easy-going, tough young man.
"Certainly, like I said when we first started, he's done a real good job catching the football. That's very important, and he's right up there in that competition."
That's the theme for Rogers, of course, and he's usually around in the competitions because he's always been pressed into action in various ways.
At David Lipscomb he played free safety, receiver and tailback on his way to becoming the Gatorade Player of the Year and MVP of Region 4A. But he wasn't fielding kicks.
"I didn't do it in high school, but yeah, I'm enjoying it," Rogers said. "If they need me to go back there and return punts or kicks, I can do it."
Taylor doesn't doubt him when Rogers says he can do it - at least not any more. There was that bit of uncertainty between watching a tape and seeing the athleticism in person a year ago, but all those questions have been answered.
"His athleticism definitely surprised me. I saw him on tape, and I wasn't sure. In high school, you know, I dominated," Taylor said smiling. "But when he got here, at the speed of the game, he was able to run with the defensive backs and step away from them, and I thought `This guy can play right here.'"
But play right where?
Rogers had two catches for 25 yards in the first scrimmage, but Briscoe had three grabs for 48 yards and a touchdown.
He had the nice return to start the scrimmage, but Jonathan Hefney and Lucas Taylor are both still in the mix after leading the team in punt and kick returns last year.
He picked off nine passes during his last two seasons in high school, but Rogers hasn't played any defense since arriving at Rocky Top.
There are plenty of questions for the Vols and Rogers to answer, but nobody seems too concerned about nailing him down to one place if things don't work out with the offense.
"We'll see," Slade said. "We have not used him on defense yet, but I know that we have talked about it. I believe he's capable of doing that.
"He has a set place. He's a receiver. If he were to come to safety, there would be some learning and it would take some time. But he certainly has the athleticism to do that."
But for somebody with that much athleticism, it definitely won't be feast or famine for Rogers.
"Oh yeah, he'll play," Taylor said. "He'll play a bunch for us. He's on punt return, he's on kickoff return, he's on the punt team, and he's listed as a starter on all those. He's going to travel, it's not like we're leaving him at the house.
"It would shock me if he weren't able to help us."
And that's all Rogers really wants.
