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I'm here to admit than when he was recruited, I asked "what are we doing signing a 205-pound defensive end?"

Justin, I was one of the doubters, and I owe you an apology. To say that you have exceeded all expectations would be the understatement of the year. CONGRATULATIONS on working so hard to add the size and strength necessary to be not just adequate, but exceptional. Passing the great Jerry Ball on the career sacks list is a monstrous accomplishment. You'll always be one of the all-time greats at SMU in my mind.

Now go mangle a QB or two at Rice next week, and join the rest of the senior class in leading us to a bowl!

Ditto your thoughts on Justin.

I think he is the classic example of some of the faults with our current recruting/drafing process - too much emphasis placed on numbers - ht/wt, 40 yd dash, bench press, and not enough on being a football player. Of course this is a hard atribute to quantify, but one we must become better at as a school if we are to continue to improve.

Another interesting off topic point was in the post game show where they mentioned about Willis coming from a HS with a long winning history. I think that these types of kids definitely bring an important attitude to SMU in that they expect to win.

docabel wrote:Ditto your thoughts on Justin.

I think he is the classic example of some of the faults with our current recruting/drafing process - too much emphasis placed on numbers - ht/wt, 40 yd dash, bench press, and not enough on being a football player. Of course this is a hard atribute to quantify, but one we must become better at as a school if we are to continue to improve.

Another interesting off topic point was in the post game show where they mentioned about Willis coming from a HS with a long winning history. I think that these types of kids definitely bring an important attitude to SMU in that they expect to win.

AND, they know how to win.

I could not agree w/ you guys more.. Justin you are a prime example of the type of great football player that we SMU fans dream of.. Everytime I have talked to you or seen you interact w/ people, you have been classy.. On the field your performance speaks for itself.

I sure hope that Bennet has another guy like you coming in here..

There can't be that many like him .... but I hope Coach Bennett has more than one on the way. I'll take as many Justin Rogers types as there are out there.

give Bennett credit for seeing Rogers' potential. I don't remember Justin being heavily recruited - probably because most Division I coaches figured he was "too small". I remember Bennett's quote was something to the effect that "when we scouted him, he just kept making plays". A classic diamond in the rough. Who will be the next one?

The name I've heard most often for the next "skinny guy who's going to grow" or "diamond in the rough" that teammates and coaches think will blossom into a major player: Adrian Dizer.