Fever signs former University of Tennessee Standout
February 2, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
The Tri-Cities Fever may have found just what it needed in its defensive backfield. Coach Adam Shackleford signed former University of Tennessee star Dennis Rogan for the 2011 season. Rogan (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) holds the University of Tennessee's school record for kickoff return yardage, a record that was previously set by former NFL great Willie Gault's record. Rogan was a two-year starter for the Volunteers before leaving school early and entering the 2010 NFL Draft. He had a good showing at the NFL Combine, but went undrafted. He would later sign a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"This is one of our biggest signings," Shackleford said. "He can do it all. He's a great athlete and always seems to be around the ball. In his junior season at Tennessee, he was fourth on the team in tackles, recovered three fumbles and forced another. He broke up six passes and had one interception. Rogan is expected to be in training camp which is less than two weeks away. The Fever kickoff this 2011 season with a preseason game on Feb. 17 at Toyota Center against the Wenatchee Valley Venom. For tickets, call 222-2215.
Extra stats/information:
-TENNESSEE TRIVIA -
Broke Willie Gault's 28-year-old UT record with 698 kickoff return yards, while tying Gault's mark of 28 kick return attempts. CAREER GAMES/STARTS - 25/12 2008 - Games/Starts: 12/12 ... Second in SEC last season with 24.9-yard kickoff return average ... Led Vols with 798 all-purpose yards, including 38 on first career interception return at Auburn ... Started all 12 games in 2008 -- 10 at cornerback, two at free safety ... Career-high nine tackles at Georgia ... Also had eight tackles against Wyoming, and six versus both Florida and Vanderbilt ... Six tackles on special teams to tie for fourth on squad ... Contributed 19-yard tackle for loss -- UT's longest of season -- against Northern Illinois ... Second on team with five pass breakups, including two each against Mississippi State and Alabama ... Career Totals: 72 total hits (46 tackles, 26 assists), 2 TFLs, 7 passes defensed, 1 interception, 30 punt returns for 227 yards (7.6 avg.), 42 kickoff returns for 1,081 yards (25.7 avg.). 2007 - Games/Starts: 13/0 ... Leading SEC freshman and fifth overall among 2007 league punt return specialists with 9.7-yard average ... In addition to punt return success, also averaged 29.5 yards per kickoff return but just missed minimum number to qualify for statistical rankings ... Helped Vols to largest fourth-quarter rally in Neyland Stadium history by returning punt 45 yards to set up winning field goal against Vanderbilt ... Finished that game with 72 yards on three punt returns ... Also returned three kickoffs for 74 yards with long of 41 yards against Commodores ... Named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts ... First collegiate kickoff return went for season-long 31 yards at Florida ... Made first big splash Sept. 27 in junior varsity action against Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy ... Two punt returns that night for 36-yard average, three kickoff returns for 34.7-yard average and intercepted pass for 15 return yards ... Single kickoff returns against Mississippi State, Alabama, South Carolina and Louisiana-Lafayette, averaging 25.5 per try ... Saw first extensive time on defense against Louisiana-Lafayette, finishing with career-high six tackles ... Had UT's longest kick return (78) against Arkansas on lone attempt of game ... Also returned four punts for 32 yards and had three tackles against Razorbacks ... Returned three punts for 24 yards, two kickoffs for 48 yards and had three tackles, including his first career TFL, at Kentucky ... Had two kickoff returns for 25-yard average in Outback Bowl. HIGH SCHOOL - PrepStar All-America ... First-team Tennessee sportswriters and coaches' association All-State as senior in 2006 ... Member of The Tennessean's 2006 Dream Team ... Knoxville News Sentinel PrepXtra's Offensive Player of the Year ... 2006 state championship game Offensive MVP ... Back-to-back 200-yard rushing games to end his high school career, gaining 255 (406 all-purpose yards) versus Pearl-Cohn in state semifinals and 208 in state title win over David Lipscomb ... Scored 572 points in four-year career ... As senior, ran for 2,876 yards and 44 touchdowns ... As junior, rushed for 2,261 yards and 39 touchdowns ... Also caught 12 passes junior season for 211 yards and two touchdowns while adding 31 tackles on de-fense ... As sophomore, rushed for 382 yards and seven touchdowns on 69 carries ... Contributed to three Class 3A state championships (2003, 2004, 2006) and earned two Mr. Football finalist awards ... Set school career rushing (5,261) and touchdown (81) records ... Also set state season scoring (296) mark in 2006 and his 2005 total (220) was top-10 as well ... Ranked second all-time in state with 19 consecutive 100-yard rushing games from 2005-06 ... Three-year starter ... Scored on 75-yard touchdown run against Gibbs in first varsity game as freshman in 2003 ... Sophomore starter for basketball team and participated in 100M and relays for track and field.-
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Indoor Football League Stories from February 2, 2011
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- Fever signs former University of Tennessee Standout - Tri-Cities Fever
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