As the calendar flips to July, our Spotlight Series carries on full steam ahead as we honor an incredible linebacker in Derrick Rodgers.
Born in Memphis and raised in New Orleans, Rodgers turned to the Air Force coming out of St. Augustine High School, serving as a medical lab technician stationed in Texas, Japan, and California. Despite playing football in high school, a college and professional career was never a high point on his horizon.
While enrolled at Riverside Community College in California, he tried out as a wide receiver before shifting to defense, and not long after was when head coach Bruce Snyder came calling, ultimately receiving an athletic scholarship to transfer to Arizona State.
Rodgers only played one season in Tempe, but his impact was undeniable. Leading the team in sacks (12.0), and tackles for loss (24), Derrick played side-by-side with Pat Tillman on the 1996 team that finished the regular season 11-0 and would go on to reach the Rose Bowl. Starting quarterback Jake Plummer told the Los Angeles Times leading up to that game that "Without Derrick, we'd be about 7-4."
Rodgers may best be remembered for his actions in the 19-0 shutout of then-No. 1 ranked Nebraska, creating havoc and causing a headache for quarterback Scott Frost.
After arriving in Tempe as a complete unknown, Rodgers' performance earned him first-team All-American honors from the Associated Press, the Football Writer's Association of America, and the Football Foundation. The NFL took notice of his performance as well, as the Miami Dolphins selected him in the 3rd round (92nd overall) in the 1997 NFL Draft.
Rodgers thrived over an eight year career, playing six seasons with the Dolphins before returning home to New Orleans for his final two seasons in 2003 and 2004. Rodgers appeared in 116 games, starting in 111 of them. His impact was felt immediately as a rookie, finishing as a runner-up to Peter Boulware for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1997. His career numbers include 532 total tackles (360 solo and 19 tackles for loss), four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and five forced fumbles.
Rodgers' development from Air Force serviceman to unknown junior college product to starting NFL linebacker is an incredible journey, and for that we honor him in today's edition of our Spotlight Series.