Tennessee Volunteers: Interviews From The Combine With A Draft Scout

Da’Rick Rogers

Nov 12, 2011; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Da

If you follow Tennessee closely, then the story of Da’Rick Rogers is probably very familiar to you.  If not, then in short form, Rogers was removed from the Tennessee football team by former coach Derek Dooley, after violating team rules last summer. Rogers then enrolled at Tennessee Tech, where he played football last season.

During Dane Brugler’s time with Rogers he said he was very upfront about why he was kicked off the team.

"It is simple: Immaturity. I had to take full responsibility, look in the mirror at who I was and what I was doing wrong. I did those things when I went to Tennessee Tech and it humbled me a lot. I was working on those things and am still working on those things, it is a work in progress. – Da’Rick Rogers"

Brugler said that Rogers admitted that he tested positive for marijuana three times while at Tennessee, but that he hasn’t picked it up since.  He took ten drug tests at Tennessee Tech and passed them all. Brugler said that Rogers had a good attitude towards the tough questions and he feels NFL teams will come way from the interview process feeling much better about those character concerns.

Rogers is another example of a type of receiver we’ve been seeing a lot of the past several years. Extremely gifted, but full of concerns. Players like Dez Bryant and Josh Gordon come to mind when thinking of Rogers.  He could be a tremendous value given those concerns. He could also have a great NFL career, if he truly has made his mind up to be a more mature player, and more importantly a more mature person.

Don’t forget to follow Dane Brugler at @DPbrugler and find him on the web at NFLdraftscout.com