Rogers Enters 2003 NFL Draft
11/27/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 25, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State wide receiver Charles Rogers, the Spartans' all-time leader with 27 career touchdown receptions, has decided to forgo his senior season by declaring himself eligible for the 2003 National Football League Draft. Rogers made the announcement Monday, Nov. 25 at the 2002 Spartan Football Awards Show. The NFL's deadline for underclassmen to file paperwork for the draft is Jan. 15, 2003.
Rogers, who was named Most Valuable Player at the Spartan Football Awards Show, caught a school-record 68 passes for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2002. His receiving yards and TD catches represent the second-best single-season totals in Spartan history. He became only the second receiver in MSU history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, joining Plaxico Burress who accomplished the feat in 1998-99. Rogers, one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, led the Big Ten in receiving yards (112.6 per game) and TD receptions while ranking second in receptions (5.67 per game) during the regular season. He completed the regular season ranked among the NCAA leaders in receiving yards (eighth) and receptions (t-26th). Fifty-seven of his 68 receptions (84 percent) resulted in first downs.
With his 21-yard TD reception in the second quarter vs. Northwestern, Rogers set both NCAA and Big Ten records by catching a TD pass in his 13th-consecutive regular-season game and his 14th-straight game overall. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound receiver from Saginaw, Mich., had six 100-yard receiving games in 2002, including a season-best 175 yards vs. Notre Dame (7 catches).
"I have decided to forgo my senior season at Michigan State and apply for early entry into the NFL Draft," Rogers said. "It was an easy decision because I put my family first. I have a legitimate shot at being a top 10 pick and I'm confident that I'm ready to play football at the next level. I've been preparing for this day for the last three years.
"I felt it was appropriate to make the announcement tonight at the Spartan Football Awards Show because I wanted to share my exciting news with my teammates and family. I have built friendships here that will last a lifetime.
"I'm grateful that I had an opportunity to play in an offense that showcased my talents. I will always cherish the three years I spent here at Michigan State."
Rogers finished his career ranked among MSU's all-time leaders in receiving yards (second with 2,821), yards per catch (second at 20.9) and receptions (third with 135). He produced a school-record 12 career 100-yard receiving games, including a Spartan single-game record 270 yards vs. Fresno State (10 receptions) in the 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic. Rogers accounted for 3,108 career all-purpose yards and his 29 career touchdowns rank seventh on MSU's career chart.
"In my 42 years of coaching, Charles Rogers is arguably the best receiver I've ever been associated with," Spartan interim head coach Morris Watts said. "His rare combination of size and speed is what separates him from the rest. I have no doubt that he'll be an impact player in the National Football League.
"From the day that Charles arrived on the MSU campus, he has worked at becoming the best receiver in the country. He did his homework in the meeting rooms, worked hard on the practice fields and consistently performed at a high level. Charles was a remarkably consistent playmaker, especially when you consider that he was the main focus of every defense that he faced in 2002."
"I'm glad that I didn't have to prepare a defensive scheme to defend Charles Rogers," MSU defensive coordinator Bill Miller said. "Charles had an amazing ability to adjust to the ball when it was in the air. He made remarkable catches seem routine. He's certainly one of the best offensive players I've ever been around.
"What separates Charles from other premier players is his work ethic. He was a great practice player in addition to being a consistent standout on Saturdays."
The 2003 NFL Draft will be conducted April 26-27 in New York City.
