In a surprising twist, SMU kicker Collin Rogers, who was listed as “out” on the official ACC injury report for Saturday’s game against Stanford, is no longer with the Mustang football program. A source close to the situation says Rogers plans to enter the transfer portal during the two-week window from January 2-16.
This is a big change for the senior kicker. He started his career strong but ran into some trouble early this season.
Collin Rogers’ Career at SMU
Collin Rogers’ time at SMU has been full of ups and downs. Entering his fourth year as the Mustangs’ starting kicker, Rogers made the preseason All-ACC team and landed on several award watchlists.
Last season, he broke records and became SMU’s all-time leading scorer, passing the legendary Doak Walker. Not many expected that, honestly.
Early Success and Records
For his first three years, Rogers was steady and dependable. He went 60-for-80 on field goal attempts, with a career-long of 55 yards, and hit an impressive 188-for-189 on extra points.
He thrived under pressure and quickly became a crucial piece for SMU.
Challenges This Season
This year, though, things didn’t go as planned. In the second game of the season against Baylor, he went 1-for-4 on field goals, missing a 51-yarder, a 57-yarder as time expired, and a 38-yarder in overtime.
After that, SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee reopened the kicking competition. It was a tough break for Rogers.
Coaching Decisions and Team Dynamics
Following that Baylor game, Coach Lashlee gave redshirt freshman Sam Keltner a shot as the starting kicker. Keltner has gone 2-for-5 on field goals in three games.
Lashlee made it clear that competition and performance drive his decisions. In his words, *any of us are replaceable*—not exactly a comforting thought, but probably true.
Impact on the Team
Now, with Rogers gone, Keltner is the only kicker left on the roster. The team’s going to have to lean on him for the rest of the season.
That’s a lot of pressure for a young player, and it could shape how the Mustangs fare in close games.
Future Prospects for Rogers
Rogers entering the transfer portal gives him a chance to start fresh. The NCAA Division I Cabinet recently approved a single offseason transfer portal window for FBS and FCS players.
He’ll get to look for a new program where he can keep kicking. Maybe that’s exactly what he needs right now.
SMU’s Kicking History and Legacy
SMU has a long line of talented kickers, and Rogers definitely added to that legacy. Surpassing a legend like Doak Walker? That’s not something you see every day.
But college football always changes, and the Mustangs will need to adapt fast if they want to stay competitive.
Conclusion
Collin Rogers is leaving SMU, and honestly, it feels like the end of an era for the Mustangs. His time here? Full of big moments and a few bumps along the way.
Now he’s heading into the transfer portal, ready to see what’s next. For SMU, all eyes turn to Sam Keltner, who’ll need to step up and help keep things rolling.
Fans will watch closely—college football never really takes a break, does it? If you want a deeper dive into Collin Rogers and the Mustangs, check out The Dallas Morning News.
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