Rogers sets the table for Ole Miss with kickoffs

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Nov. 12, 2003
OXFORD Lee Rogers has come a long way since his days at Lamar.
The former Raiders kicker is now a fifth-year senior at Ole Miss, handling kickoff duties in front of 60,000 screaming fans for the SEC West-leading Rebels.
The Meridian native arrived in Oxford in 1999 and was redshirted before taking the field for the Rebels in 2000. He has attempted two field goals in his career, nailing a 37-yarder against Georgia in 2001. With junior Johnathan Nichols emerging as one of the nation's top field goal kickers, though, Rogers became Ole Miss' kickoff specialist.
Head coach David Cutcliffe is happy too, since Rogers has become an important part of the Rebels' special teams unit.
Handling kickoff duties alone was not the only adjustment Rogers had to make. He also has to run kickoff coverage, bumping heads with some of the country's fastest, strongest players.
Kickers may have a reputation for being the last line of defense, but Rogers said he always tries to be one of the first.
Making and taking hits is nothing new to Rogers, who also played free safety for Lamar during his high school days.