University of Richmond Athletics
Justin Rogers Named To Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
July 28, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Rising junior DB Justin Rogers has been named to the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually by the Sport Network to the most outstanding defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision. Rogers' seven interceptions were the second-most in the NCAA last season.
A total of 20 candidates will be announced in alphabetical order prior to the start of the season, with four candidates being released each week. The watch list will be revised in October and again in November, before the final ballot is announced.
Rogers becomes the first Spider since DL Marc Megna in 1998 to be named to the Buchanan watch list. The award began in 1995. Sports Network also administers the Walter Payton Award, for which TB Tim Hightower was a finalist in 2007.
Considered one of the most versatile athletes in the FCS, Rogers collected 116 yards in interception returns last season, taking an NCAA-leading two back for scores (nine others also had two, including teammate Derek Hatcher). The Baton Rouge, La. native also returned a fumble for a touchdown and blocked a punt.
As a whole, Richmond's defense shattered the school record with 29 interceptions last season.
Rogers is a consensus First Team Preseason All-America from Sports Network, Consensus Draft Scout and Phil Steele for 2009. The much-decorated DB was an Honorable Mention All-America pick and a First Team All-CAA Football performer last season, after earning the CAA's Special Teams Player of the Year honor in 2007.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Rogers enters his junior campaign ranked third on the Spiders' career kickoff return list with 1,704 yards, needing just 151 more yards to break the record held by Rod Boothes (1990-93). He broke the school's single-season record with 1,002 yards in kickoff returns - and took two back for touchdowns - as a rookie in 2007.
The Buchanan watch list also includes DE Larry Hart (Central Arkansas), DE Christian Anthony (Grambling), DE Danny Batten (South Dakota State), SS Tommy Connors (Southeastern Louisiana), DE Dane Fletcher (Montana State), FS Charles Graves (Delaware), LB Brandin Jordan (Southern Illinois), DE Austen Lane (Murray State), FS Mark LeGree (Appalachian State), SS Jeromy Miles (Massachusetts), CB Josh Morris (Weber State) LB Osayi Osunde (Villanova), DE James Ruffin (Northern Iowa), DT Mychal Savage (Youngstown State) and DE Adrian Tracey (William & Mary).