All-American kick returner Cory Rodgers also ranks as a top wide receiver in TCU history
17 | WR Cory Rodgers (2003-2005)
Photo by Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
TCU has had an incredible run over the last quarter century of producing game-breaking kick returning wide receiver weapons, with names like Jeremy Kerley, Jalen Reagor, KaVontae Turpin, and Derius Davis, but the first to explode on the scene – and still ranking as one of the best – was Cory Rogers in the early 2000s. The Missouri City, TX native was an instant impact upon arrival on campus in 2003, with four total returns for 143 yards in his first game as a true freshman vs. Tulane. He’d make a catch in every game that season, with a breakout performance at Houston with six receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the Frogs’ thrilling 62-55 victory over the Art Briles-led Cougars. With 861 total return yards on the season, Rogers would earn Third Team All-CUSA. His sophomore campaign would be his most prolific offensive campaign, catching at least three passes in every game and producing four 100+ yard games. His 61 receptions in just 11 games ranks eighth all-time in program history for a single season. Transitioning to the Mountain West in 2005, Rodgers would be named to the All-Conference First-Team and First-Team All-American as a return specialist, producing 30.3 yards per kick return, 15.3 yards per punt return for 805 total return yards and two touchdowns. His junior season was highlighted with 10 receptions for 79 yards in the season-opening win over No. 7 Oklahoma in Norman and an all-purpose explosion in TCU’s win over BYU in Provo with 265 total yards & four TDs, including the game-winning score in overtime.
Rodgers would forego his senior season to enter the 2006 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 4th Round. He finished his collegiate career with 2,111 receiving yards and 17 TDs on 150 catches, adding 10 rushing touchdowns and two kick return scores. He ranks top ten all-time in the Horned Frogs record book for career receiving TDs (4th), career receptions (7th).