Da’Rick Rogers Gone From Tennessee Practice, Rumors Run Rampant
By Kyle Kensing
Tennessee wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers was not at practice on Thursday. That much is confirmed. Why, and what lies ahead for the Volunteers’ receptions leader is anything but.
UT head coach Derek Dooley said in The Chattanooga Times Free Press‘s in the story linked above:
"“He’s got some things he’s got to do internally,” Dooley said after practice. “When he does them, he’ll be back. It’s kind of an internal team issue, and it’s something he’s just got to finish doing some stuff. When he does he’ll back.“I wouldn’t call it anything other than he’s got to do some things. When does, he’ll come back, and when he doesn’t, he’s not going to be here.”"
No mention of a transfer for the talented receiver, who last season hauled in 1040 yards and nine touchdowns. Rogers will play an integral role in the Vols’ finding their offensive identity next season, with Tyler Bray returning from injury and a woeful running game trying to establish itself early. That is, assuming Rogers is still with the program. There’s no reason to believe he won’t be per Dooley, but this tweet from Rogers’ account is just cryptic enough to spark a firestorm.
Georgia State is UT’s second opponent in 2012. A suspension for the Volunteers’ season opener vs. NC State might be the indication. But then Georgia State’s Scout.com site posted the following headline:
Panthersville.com since redacted the initial wording. The new headline appears like so:
The updated version of the story quotes Rogers as saying “Georgia State would be the only place I’d look at,” and declares he is considering a transfer. Because Georgia State is an FCS program, he would be immediately eligible.
Chris Hillyard of the same Scout site tweeted confirmation of Rogers’ departure via unnamed sources within the UT athletic department. AllForTennessee.com is skeptical of the reports. Until anyone is willing to go on the record to confirm a transfer, skeptical is the way to go.
A hypothetical Rogers departure would be a huge step back for a UT receiving corps that took a step forward with Justin Hunter’s return. Hunter was on pass to be the Vols’ top target last season, catching for 314 yards and a pair of touchdowns in just three games before tearing his ACL. Even missing nine contests, Hunter finished the season with the third most receiving yards on the roster.
The wideout with the fourth most, DeAnthony Arnett, left the program for Michigan State after a public spat with Dooley.