With the addition of Mississippi State transfer quarterback Will Rogers, the Washington Huskies can now begin building 2024 its roster for a return to the College Football Playoffs next season.

Much like Michael Penix’s announcing his return last Fall, inking Rogers gives DeBoer a cornerstone to adding more prospects from the Transfer Portal.  However, but Rogers may also incentivize, receivers Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk, and running back Dillon Johnson to return next season if a favorable NFL Draft projection isn’t received.

Penix was the rising tide that lifted all ships.

Two years ago when DeBoer signed Penix out of Indiana, Penix was rated as 3-star transfer.  24 months later one would easily call the Heisman- runner up a 5-star QB.  At the same Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and virtually every other player on Washington’s offense’s star took a meteoric rise.

Rogers is an experienced volume passer, coming from Mike Leach’s Air Raid system at MSU.  There he became the SEC’s second all-time passer in terms of yardage.  Under Leach in 2021 and 2022, Rogers averaged 9.5 yards an attempt.  In 2023 his PPA  jumped to 11.5 yards.

However, his productivity fell off drastically not playing in 4 games this past season due to injury, but there was that noted increased efficiency.

Under his new coach Rogers completed 60-percent of his passes for 1,626 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He battled a shoulder injury, which limited him to 8 games.

The two prior under the architect of the air radar offense he completed 920 passes of 1,293 attempts for 71 TDs and 17 interceptions—and a whopping 8,713 yards.

Penix has 8,859 the past two years under DeBoer, with at least on game remaining in his Husky career.

If DeBoer can work his magic with Rogers, returning him to his Leach-era form the Huskies could be playing once again in early January 2025.