Report: Washington State edge Will Rodgers III enters NCAA transfer portal

For the third time in two months, someone who was counted on to play an integral role for the Washington State defense has opted to enter the NCAA’s transfer portal.

According to Rivals.com, Cougars senior edge Will Rodgers III, a 19-game starter the last two seasons and a starter in the team’s season opener two weeks ago, entered the portal on Monday.

Rodgers hasn’t confirmed the news personally, but one day after WSU’s 43-29 loss to No. 11 Oregon at Martin Stadium, the defensive lineman posted a tweet with a peace sign emoji and nothing else.

Though Rodgers got a starting nod in the opener, the Cougars started Ron Stone Jr. at the edge position in the Oregon game. WSU rotates its defensive linemen frequently, so Rodgers still saw playing time, though the senior left the field for the injury tent in the fourth quarter and eventually retreated to the locker room.

Rodgers had two assisted tackles in the opener, but none in WSU’s most recent game.

The fourth-year player from Saginaw, Michigan, would be able to transfer because of the additional year of eligibility given to players this fall. Rogers has a redshirt year available, so if the defensive lineman transferred to another FBS school, he’d likely have to sit out in 2021 before playing as a sixth-year senior in 2022.

Earlier in the fall, Rodgers described he was “back at home” after switching from the interior defensive tackle position to edge position, which gives him more opportunities as a pass-rusher. By all accounts he’d made the transition seamlessly, earning the start in WSU’s first game.

In his 33 games with the Cougars, Rodgers has totaled 53 tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks.

Despite missing a game in 2019, Rodgers had arguably his best season with 27 tackles, six for-loss and four sacks.

The Cougars could be thin at the edge position in their upcoming game against Stanford, especially if redshirt junior Willie Taylor III misses his second straight game. Stone and Brennan Jackson are expected to get starts for WSU, but without Rodgers and Taylor, the Cougars will presumably have to rely more on true freshmen Moon Ashby and Gabriel Lopez.

Rodgers is the third member of WSU’s defense to enter the transfer portal in two months. Defensive back Skyler Thomas and Lamonte McDougle both put their names in, though McDougle has since removed his and indicated he’ll stay at WSU.