Auburn DL Justin Rogers named to Outland Trophy watch list
Auburn junior defensive lineman Justin Rogers has been named to the Outland trophy watch list. The award is given to the top interior lineman in the country annually.
Rogers has yet to play a snap for the Tigers. He had a strong start to his career at Kentucky before transferring.
At Kentucky, Rogers played in 33 games, finishing with 60 tackles and five tackles for loss. His best game at Kentucky came in 2021 against Vanderbilt, as Rogers finished with four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Rogers then transferred to Auburn as the No. 50 overall transfer portal player according to On3 Sports Consensus rankings.
Rogers earned major praise from Tigers’ coach Hugh Freeze during spring practice.
“Justin Rogers is a football player,” Hugh Freeze said during spring. “He’s a handful. He’s going to be somebody that Lord willing stays healthy, we depend upon to factor in the middle. But, he requires a double team, I think he will. I’ve been really pleased with how he works. He loves the game, he loves to practice and he’s got a joy about him that’s fun to be around. I’ve been really, really pleased with him.”
Rogers has not yet been named a starter, but is the perceived starter as the main interior defensive tackle in both fronts (3-front and 4-front).
More on the Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Missouri. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
