Much is expected from those at the top. Da’Rick Rogers seems to have figured that out by now.
There
was never any question about the talent overflowing out of Tennessee’s
junior receiver – it is present, alive and well – but rather if that
ability would ever culminate in on-field production.
First,
during the summer before his freshman season, Rogers was charged for
disorderly conduct and resisting arrest for his involvement in a brawl
at a Knoxville bar. Then, the rumblings began in the midst of that first
season him and his five-star rating were overhyped. Though he showed
flashes of brilliance, he never could put it all together – he finished
the year with just 11 catches.
Those early warning signs were a distant memory in 2011.
Rogers
led the Southeastern Conference in receptions last season, and is the
league’s leading returning receiver after catching 67 passes for 1,040
yards. Additionally, he found the endzone nine times. His 6-foot-3,
athletic frame makes him an equal threat in the red zone as his
4.4-second speed does in the open field.
When Volunteers’
All-SEC-caliber quarterback Tyler Bray drops back in 2012, he will have
the enviable selection of Rogers and Justin Hunter, the No. 3 wide
receiver on our list and perhaps the conference’s best pro prospect at
the position. Hunter got off to a fast start last season before a
season-ending ACL tear, but is expected to bounce back in a big way.
Separating
the twin, orange-clad towers is Arkansas’ 6-foot-3 Cobi Hamilton, who
will step into the Razorbacks’ pass-happy offense and be the primary
target for hotshot signal-caller Tyler Wilson. Hamilton has collected
977 career yards over his first two seasons, but with standouts Joe
Adams and Jarius Wright gone, his role will increase significant next
season.
The rest of the list is led by two conference newcomers –
including a stud freshman expecting to take the college football world
by storm – two national runner-up players and a Georgia Bulldog going on
season No. 5.
But none were more productive than Rogers last season.
And with Tennessee’s high-flying attack, it will be tough to catch him.
