May 22, 2013; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Zach Rogers (15) runs drills during the New York Jets organized team activities at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
The vast majority of college football players don’t end up playing in the NFL.
In fact, Business Insider puts the number of college football players that go pro at 1.7%.
That number is staggeringly low, but that’s just the cold hard truth.
So it should come as no surprise that former Vols wide receiver Zach Rogers at one point didn’t believe the NFL was in his future.
According to Jets.com writer Randy Lange, Rogers’ teammate Matt Simms, yes the Matt Simms that was his teammate at Tennessee as well, told reporters “Rogers said he was taking his education very seriously because he didn’t think the NFL would be in his future”.
When you combine the fact that Rogers was playing behind Justin Hunter, Da’Rick Rogers, Cordarrelle Patterson and Mychal Rivera, with the above data, it’s very understandable why Rogers didn’t think he’d be in the position he is today.
Even while playing behind the talented receivers at Tennessee he still managed to record 32 receptions for 491 yards and seven touchdowns during his senior season.
Rogers also improved his stock at Tennessee’s pro day, drawing rave reviews from Mike Mayock, a draft analyst for the NFL Network. Mayock, who was in attendance for the Vol’s pro day, praised Rogers’ catching ability, route running and hard working attitude and voiced his opinion that Rogers should be drafted.
Of course Rogers was hoping he’d be drafted, a lot of folks thought he would be. We projected him to be drafted in the 7th round, but thought he had the talent to go earlier.
Unfortunately it didn’t work out that way for the Nashville native. He went undrafted and signed shortly thereafter with the New York Jets.
Not being drafted doesn’t seem to phase Rogers too much.
"This was the hand I was dealt so I’m trying to make the most of it. I was blessed to play with those big-time receivers, though. I learned a lot from them"
Rogers has a long road ahead if he wants to make the Jets’ 53 man roster, but he’s already made a good impression on head coach Rex Ryan.
Rogers has worked mostly out of the slot so far and on special teams, two areas where he’ll have to excel to make the team, he definitely seems up to the challenge.
"I’m trying to learn as much as I can. Coach Lal is teaching me little technique things that maybe I didn’t think about in college. I think it’s going pretty well. I’m just trying to learn the offense the best I can and work with my new teammates. It’s a great opportunity for me and really I’m just trying to make the most of it."
Jets OTA’s are scheduled for May 22-23, May 28, May 30-31, June 3-6, then a Mandatory minicamp from June 11-13.
For more on former Vols in the NFL make sure to follow along on Twitter @Captainzach1 and @AllforTennessee