Cookeville, TN – Former All-SEC wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers has transferred within the state to defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Tennessee Tech.
The move for Rogers occurred just 48 hours after he was suspended indefinitely by Tennessee coach Derek Dooley for an undisclosed "violation of team rules."
By transferring from the FBS to FCS level, Rogers would be eligible to play immediately. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
"We're excited to have him and look forward to working with him," Tennessee Tech coach Watson Brown said. "It's a unique situation for me, but we know he's a good kid. He knows a couple of the players on our team, and we know his high school coach, and we're going on their recommendations."
The 6-foot-3, 206-pound Rogers, from Calhoun, Ga., led Tennessee last season in receptions (67), receiving yards (1,040), touchdowns (nine) and scoring (54 points). SEC coaches named him to their second team.
He caught 11 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns in 2010.
Rogers was a high school teammate of Tennessee Tech quarterback Tre Lamb. Lamb's father Hal was Rogers' head coach at Calhoun High School.
"I'm excited to be in purple and gold," Rogers said. "Hopefully everybody will be able to come out dressed in purple and gold and watch our games. It'll be exciting. I'm excited to be here and be with the team and have brand new camaraderie with these guys. It'll be fun to watch us play."
Tennessee Tech kicks off its season Thursday night by hosting Hampton.