Iowa Hawkeyes Football: Brad Rogers Emerges as New Tailback

The University of Iowa has started looking at players in other positions to help ease their shortage at tailback.

Coach Kirk Ferentz announced on Friday that returning starting fullback junior Brad Rogers has been moved to tailback.

As fall workouts move into full swing, Rogers (5'10", 230 lbs) is now listed at tailback on the depth chart. He will be sharing carries with sophomore Damon Bullock (6'0", 195 lbs) as both are currently listed as co-starter.

Rogers started seven and played in nine games in 2011. Buck has a total of 10 carries for 20 yards so far in his Iowa career.

Penn State freshman Akeel Lynch, whom Iowa recruited at tailback, has decided to stay with the Nittany Lions for 2012. Lynch had been considering a transfer to Iowa in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal and the NCAA decision to allow Penn State players to move to other teams without penalty this year.

As late as yesterday, there were headlines and articles indicating that Lynch was seriously considering the transfer. The following tweet was published by Lynch late last night:

Akeel Lynch@ALynch_22 

I will be wearing #22 in Blue&White jersey come Sept. 1st

#WeStillAre #PennState #Sorryforthewait

 3 Aug 12

Coach Ferentz had pledged before the dismissal of Johnson last week that he would look at other people already on the team for possible help in filling the fullback position.

“We’ll look at every available running back on the roster,” Ferentz said. “Anybody who can help us will be given a chance to do so.” (via hawkcentral.com)

Rogers played tailback in high school. However, when he started practicing with Iowa, his physicality and talent at blocking made him a natural as a fullback. As a result, he was quickly moved from tailback to fullback.

Rogers could be the long-term answer for the position—at least for 2012. His rugged style of play, blocking ability and durability may actually work very well in the backfield this year. Of course, that would mean Iowa is in the market for a starting fullback.

How are they at tight end this year?