He waited his turn, now TCU tight end DJ Rogers could have a major role on offense in 2025
After spending multiple seasons waiting his turn, TCU tight end DJ Rogers finally has the opportunity to be the starting tight end for the Horned Frogs in the fall.
In 2022 and ‘23, he sat behind Jared Wiley and last season he was behind Drake Dabney on the depth chart. It’s been a long three years for Rogers, but he’s excited to finally have his moment entering his senior season.
“I’m excited man, I got to learn under Jared and Drake, two great examples,” Rogers said at Thursday’s practice. “Jared is a great player, he understands the game of football and the tight end position. Same with Drake, he brought what he learned from Baylor over here.
“Being able to watch those guys and learn from them, I’m really excited to show what I’ve learned to be that No. 1 guy this year.”
Rogers was a four-star recruit and a top-10 tight end prospect in the Class of 2021 coming out of Bellevue, Washington. He didn’t record a stat his first two seasons, but slowly saw his role in the offense expand.
In 2023 he caught seven passes for 78 yards and last season he caught 12 passes for 142 and two touchdowns including a score in TCU’s New Mexico Bowl win over Louisiana.
Rogers isn’t as big as Wiley and Dabney were, but he’s the most natural receiver TCU has had at the tight end position during the Sonny Dykes era.
“I think I’m explosive, I can make plays after the catch,” Rogers said. “I have good route running and my strength is just being fluid, I’m not really stiff.”
Rogers’ explosiveness as a receiver has been on display throughout spring camp as he’s forged a strong connection with Josh Hoover already.
During last Saturday’s open practice Rogers scored a 20-yard touchdown on an out route from Hoover and he added another touchdown in the same practice. Rogers has been effective in the middle of the field and has shown an ability to pick up easy yards on checkdown routes.
“Our connection is getting better everyday,” Rogers said. “We’re understanding how I need to run the route, what I need to do and when I need to get out in pass protection and just being able to have that confidence Josh is going to throw me the ball. He has the faith in me to catch and go out and make plays. I love our chemistry and we’re getting better each day.”
Rogers’ skill as a receiver has never been a question going back to his redshirt freshman year in 2022, but there’s more to playing tight end than just catching passes.
The coaching staff wanted to see Rogers take a step as a blocker in the run game and he’s finally taken that leap during the spring.
“I really like our physicality up front, our tight ends included,” offensive coordinator Kendal Briles said earlier this spring. “DJ Rogers has done a great job, he’s stood out as being a really physical blocker. We all know he can run and catch, but he’s also done a great job in the run game.”
Rogers’ growth as a blocker is encouraging and could help out a run game that struggled last season.
Rogers has also taken a leadership role in the tight end room and the Horned Frogs needed it this spring as multiple tight ends such as Chase Curtis, Lafayette Kauiway and Ka’Morreun Pimpton all missing significant portions of spring camp.
It’s increased the workload of Rogers, but it’s been a rewarding experience.
“I’m really just trying to be an older brother to them,” Rogers said. “A mentor that can teach them ways of what we do here at TCU so when new guys get here they can teach them as well.”
With TCU needing to replace three top receivers and Dabney, Rogers could be in line for a breakout season.
The Horned Frogs wrap up spring camp with a final practice at 10 a.m. Friday.
