University of Washington head football coach Kalen DeBoer has agreed to a deal to succeed Nick Saban in the same position at the University of Alabama. The 49-year-old will be leaving Seattle for Tuscaloosa.
The move makes things very awkward for Will Rogers. He isn’t the only one, but his scenario is especially unique.
Rogers spent the last three seasons as the starting quarterback at Mississippi State. His last two years with Mike Leach as head coach in 2021 and 2022 were especially impressive.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound signal-caller threw for more than 8,000 yards and 70 touchdowns with just 17 total interceptions on a combined 71% completion clip in 2021 and 2022. This past season wasn’t quite as strong in a new system while battling injury, but he still looked great when healthy.
Rogers’ time in Starkville was special.
Due to the blanket waiver of eligibility that was granted to all athletes during the 2020 season, the former three-star recruit has one year left. He chose to enter the portal as a graduate transfer and ultimately committed to Washington.
Rogers was (and is?) slated to be the successor for Michael Penix Jr. next year. His commitment became official on Dec. 15.
The Huskies played in the national championship game on Monday. And in a rare move that perfectly reflects the new era of college football, Rogers was on the sideline.
Not only was he on the field, he was throwing passes to his future (current?) teammates while wearing a team-issued jersey during warmups. It was a bizarre visual.
Now, less than one full week later, DeBoer is set to become the next head coach of the Crimson Tide. The coach that recruited Rogers to Washington almost 30 days ago is leaving for Alabama.
What does that mean for Rogers…
UPDATE: Rogers has re-entered the transfer portal!
Perhaps he will follow DeBoer and return to the SEC West, but Jalen Milroe planned on returning. Only time will tell how things shake out, but it’s a super awkward spot for Rogers.