WILLIE RODGERS (DE, 6-1, 246, JR)

Played in nine games (all but Vanderbilt) with two starts (USL and Georgia)...Had moved into a starting role with injuries to line before injuring his knee versus Georgia..21 tackles and 16.5 "Big Plays" (6.5 TTFL, seven FH, one FF, one FR and one PD) on the year...16.5 "Big Plays" is fourth-best total on DL unit...Started the season opener vs. SW Louisiana and recorded five tackles (three solo), one pass deflection and one sack for -6 yards...Five tackles and .5 QB sack vs. Georgia Southern...Five "Big Plays" (three FH, one FF and one QB sack) vs. Arkansas...Was ejected against LSU and missed the first half of the Auburn game...Returned in the second half of the Auburn game and registered three tackles and three "Big Plays" (one QB sack (-8), one TBL (-2) and one FH)...A former linebacker who played in 11 games last year with three starts at DE...Had10 tackles and eight "Big Plays."