Will Rogers, QB, Washington
Size:
Height: 6’2” I Weight: 215 lbs
Accomplishments:
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10 (2022) • Manning Award Finalist (2022, 2021)
“Will Rogers operates the quick passing game at a high, efficient level. He will get through his reads and repeatedly look to replace blitzes with throws.”
Strengths:
Football IQ
Meshpoint operation
Over-the-middle timing
In-rhythm timing
NFL size
Concerns:
Average arm talent
Slow feet
Ball placement
Pocket feel
Film Analysis:
Will Rogers quarterbacked a more balanced Kevin Barbay offense in 2023 than his previous coach, the late, great Mike Leach’s Air Raid system, to mixed results. Compounding the fact that Rogers was learning a new system, he suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder that forced him to miss four games of his senior season at Mississippi State before entering the transfer portal and arriving at Washington.
Rogers operates a quick-paced passing offense at a high level and when he’s in rhythm with the speed of the offense, the ball comes out on time and quickly over the middle of the field. That’s where he’s able to get the ball to his playmakers and let them get yards after the catch. He plays the position more like a point guard, but his football IQ allows him to read pre- and post-snap defensive alignments to find the empty space. When faced with a pressure look, Rogers will attack the blitz with quick throws into vacated space to gash the defense.
His footwork getting into drops is slow and labored, which throws off the timing that he needs to be successful. He pairs slow footwork with a tendency to hold onto the football a tick late, resulting in sacks taken. He has some mobility to avoid pressure, but when he’s on the move, he doesn’t generate enough velocity on throws out of the pocket. Pass attempts that target down the field and outside the numbers are littered with inaccuracies. Whether he muscles it downfield or the ball dies before reaching its target, it’s not NFL-caliber. His overall ball placement forces receivers to make harsh adjustments to throws, many of which fall to the ground or into defenders' hands. Post-snap changes underneath and defensive ends dropping into coverage also led to turnover-worthy plays.
Overall, Rogers is a smart and experienced quick game/RPO fit quarterback who struggled to adapt to a new offense last season. His lack of arm talent, holding onto the football, and underwhelming athleticism will create issues at the next level.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme-Specific Contributor
Written By: Daniel Harms
