When Lenoir-Rhyne’s DeAree Rogers lined up for his first-ever punt return as a college football player last season, he had one main thought:
“Dear God, please don’t let me drop this,” Rogers told the student newspaper, The Rhynean, last September.
He didn’t. But he did drop everyone trying to tackle him, racing for a touchdown in the first quarter of the season debut against St. Augustine’s. That play would be a precursor of the next few months ahead for the speedster from Lexington, S.C., who went on to break a school record, tie another and earn All-America status as a return specialist.
North Carolina Football News turns its D2 Spotlight on Rogers today, looking back at his stellar freshman season highlights in preparation for what could be bigger things ahead in 2024.
- —> READ MORE: DeAree Rogers named NC Football News’ D2 specialist of the year
- —> READ MORE: Lenoir-Rhyne crowned Fabulous 14 champ for 2023
The CFB Network has already named Rogers to its preseason All-America team. He’s a first-team pick as a return specialist.
With Lenoir-Rhyne turning over much of its roster (including coaching staff) with graduations and transfers, Rogers will be a welcome sight when he returns to the Moretz Stadium turf in a few weeks. The Bears kick off the 2024 season on Saturday, Sept. 7 when Bowie State visits.
DeAree Rogers house call!! pic.twitter.com/qGvByNtdB3
— Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (@LRbears) September 16, 2023
#6 DeAree Rogers
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 185
- Class: Redshirt Sophomore
- Hometown: Lexington, SC
- High School: Irmo High
2023 Highlights: Broke the Lenoir-Rhyne record for most punt-return touchdowns in a season (3), originally held by Kyle Dugger. He also tied Dugger’s single-game record when brought a pair of punts back for scores against Erskine in mid-September. That feat — five returns, 170 yards – earned him conference and D2 national special teams player of the week honors.
Teams eventually warmed up to the idea of avoiding Rogers when possible on punt plays. He still finished with 357 return yards, which ranked third-best in school history.
Rogers garnered first-team all-conference, first-team All-Super Region Two and first-team All-American recognition as a returner. The latter two honors came from the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association. Rogers also was our NC Football News specialist of the year for D2.
But Rogers did more than just bring back punts. He also proved potent as a wide receiver. He led a balanced Lenoir-Rhyne offensive attack in receiving yards (690) and catches (53), and scored six touchdowns.
2022: Redshirt season at Lenoir-Rhyne
High School Highlights: Earned 4A All-State honors as a wide receiver his senior season in 2021 … He finished with 1,511 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, with a long reception of 95 yards. He averaged 137.4 receiving yards per game and also contributed four rushing scores.
