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University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: THOM KENDALL FOR UMASS ATHLETICS
Rodgers Wins All-ECAC As Defensive Back And Return Specialist
December 19, 2019 | Football
2019 football senior started all 12 games at cornerback, led the nation in return yards
DANBURY, Conn. - University of Massachusetts graduate Isaiah Rodgers tallied All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) awards as one of the top defensive backs and return specialists in the nation on Wed., Dec. 18. Rodgers is the only player to win All-ECAC as a return specialist in 2019 and one of only four defensive backs recognized.
Rodgers finished his 12-game senior season with 42 tackles including 3.0 TFLs, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He started each game at cornerback while simultaneously serving as the team's top kick and punt return specialist. As the primary return man, Rodgers fielded 53 kick returns for 1,295 yards, both of which rank as the No. 1 totals among all FBS players during the 2019 season.
The Tampa, Florida, native reset the UMass single-season and career records for kick returns and kick return yards during his senior year in 2019. He capped his standout career with 99 returns for 2,338 yards. Rodgers produced 41 more kick returns than the next Minuteman all-time (Courtney Robinson, 58, 2006-08) and he totaled 950 more kick return yards to displace Robinson for the top spot (1,388).
The Blake High School graduate's standout senior campaign capped four years as an impact player in the secondary as Rodgers graduates as the program's career leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns with three. He a stands among the top 10 all-time in UMass history for interception return yards (242; 2nd), pass breakups (35; tied-2nd), passes defended (46; 3rd) and fumble return yards (44; 6th).
Rodgers was also the team's primary punt return specialist in 2019. He fielded 11 punts and brought them back for a combined 120 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown at Charlotte on Sept. 21.
Follow Massachusetts football on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).
Rodgers finished his 12-game senior season with 42 tackles including 3.0 TFLs, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He started each game at cornerback while simultaneously serving as the team's top kick and punt return specialist. As the primary return man, Rodgers fielded 53 kick returns for 1,295 yards, both of which rank as the No. 1 totals among all FBS players during the 2019 season.
The Tampa, Florida, native reset the UMass single-season and career records for kick returns and kick return yards during his senior year in 2019. He capped his standout career with 99 returns for 2,338 yards. Rodgers produced 41 more kick returns than the next Minuteman all-time (Courtney Robinson, 58, 2006-08) and he totaled 950 more kick return yards to displace Robinson for the top spot (1,388).
The Blake High School graduate's standout senior campaign capped four years as an impact player in the secondary as Rodgers graduates as the program's career leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns with three. He a stands among the top 10 all-time in UMass history for interception return yards (242; 2nd), pass breakups (35; tied-2nd), passes defended (46; 3rd) and fumble return yards (44; 6th).
Rodgers was also the team's primary punt return specialist in 2019. He fielded 11 punts and brought them back for a combined 120 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown at Charlotte on Sept. 21.
Follow Massachusetts football on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).
Players Mentioned
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