A lot has changed for Will Rogers over the past week.
Five days ago, the former Mississippi State quarterback was all smiles on the sidelines of the national championship game, tossing the ball back and forth with guys set to be his new teammates at the University of Washington.
Mississippi State transfer QB Will Rogers getting throws in on the Washington sideline before the National Championship👀
Rogers will succeed Michael Penix Jr. in 2024🟣
(via @Andy_Staples)https://t.co/gYEpAS7j2N pic.twitter.com/b4It3KiidM
— On3 (@On3sports) January 8, 2024
But then the news broke that legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban was stepping away from college football, making Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer one of the top candidates in Tuscaloosa. After Oregon’s Dan Lanning, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, and Florida State’s Mike Norvell all pledged continued allegiance to their respective universities, Alabama quickly zeroed in on DeBoer.
By Friday afternoon, DeBoer had informed his current team and Washington commits that he was leaving for arguably the best job in the SEC.
In response to DeBoer’s decision, Rogers decided to enter the transfer portal for the second time this offseason.
Not a surprise. Just unfortunate circumstances for Will. https://t.co/r3p3RSW5SP
— Brian Hadad (@brianhadad) January 13, 2024
Even though he battled injuries during his final season at Mississippi State, Rogers is still considered one of the top quarterbacks in the portal. In four years in Starkville, the Brandon native passed for 12,315 yards and 94 touchdowns with 28 interceptions. He is second all-time in the SEC in passing yards behind only former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray.
While Rogers is back in the portal, he might not leave Washington after all. That would be contingent on who is hired to replace DeBoer. It’s also worth noting that Rogers is already enrolled in classes in Seattle. If he does leave, though, expect Auburn, Southern Miss, Western Kentucky, USC, and Houston to test the waters on bringing the veteran in for his final year of eligibility. Who knows? DeBoer might even try to take Rogers with him to Tuscaloosa.
