Auburn’s transfer portal haul opens the door for many new stars to emerge for the Tigers next season, but there is one transfer that could see a giant growth in potential due to the development he will experience under the guidance of defensive coordinator [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag].
In a list titled 7 particularly interesting transfer/defensive coordinator combinations, On3 says that incoming transfer [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] meshes well with Roberts, and is interested to see just how productive Rogers can be under his new defensive coordinator.
Rogers burst onto the scene in 2022 while at Kentucky, where he played in all 13 games and totaled 450 snaps at defensive tackle according to Pro Football Focus. His step forward last season could set him up for greater success in 2023 says On3’s Mike Huguenin.
Rogers (6 feet 3, 332 pounds) was a part-time starter at Kentucky in 2021, then moved into the starting lineup full-time in ’22. Rogers had 35 tackles in 2022. He didn’t make many splash plays, but that’s not the point. His middle-of-the-line presence is great for Roberts’ style of play. Roberts had been DC at Baylor, and Rogers figures to play the role that 358-pound Siaki Ika did for the Bears. He’ll hold down the fort as an immovable object in the middle of the line, taking up two blockers and letting a safety or a linebacker make the play. Auburn also added veteran DT [autotag]Lawrence Johnson[/autotag] (Purdue) out of the transfer portal. But Rogers’ size and potential space-eating impact make him more important.
Rogers is one of 12 additions that Auburn made during the first window of the transfer portal period, which is fifth-best in the country according to 247Sports rankings. As a member of the 2020 recruiting cycle, Rogers was the No. 7 overall defensive tackle, and the best overall player from the state of Michigan. He was Kentucky’s top signee that season in a class that was ranked No. 25 in the nation.
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