We are beginning a series that looks into players that we feel need to be major contributors during the 2016 season.

The series is titled, “Five UND Football Players That Need To Succeed in 2016”.  

Does that put pressure on these players?  Yep.  Does UND have added pressure on them to perform at a high level this fall?  Yep.

With expectations raised, UND isn’t going to get the luxury of surprising anybody this year.  Meaning level of play needs to be raised and holes need to be filled before the opener vs. Stony Brook Sept. 1st.

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#44 Donnell Rodgers
ILB
Redshirt Freshman – Woodbury, MN
6’1″-215

Last season (2015) – redshirted.

UND has a glaring hole at the strongside ILB spot after the departure of do-everything all-timer Will Ratelle, who is now with the Atlanta Falcons.

Even though Rodgers is listed at the #2 behind starter Connor O’Brien at weakside ILB on the spring depth chart, they are somewhat interchangeable and overall depth at ILB is the key.

UND does have former starter Taj Rich returning to the mix after injuring his knee early in the season last year vs. Portland State.  Rich, along with senior Dylan Bakker and O’Brien make up the Top 3 at ILB as UND enters fall camp, with transfer Dijon Murray (who is also a huge wildcard here) also in the mix for reps.  We are somewhat hesitant on firmly entrenching Rich as the strongside starter based on his knee injury/recovery.

Which leaves Rodgers as the #4 and possibly #2-3 as season goes on.

Donnell will be one of the more athletic, faster ILB’s on the roster.  He really impressed in scouts this past fall vs. the UND offense.

We were told by several sources that Rodgers had an outstanding spring session, as well, and is going to be counted on to log a fair amount of reps this fall.  He also received high marks in the strength & conditioning world over the past year, which is always telling.

Rodgers will more than likely be on at least three special teams, if not all of them.  Linebackers and safeties make outstanding special teams players due to their combination of size, speed and tackling ability.  If Rodgers can log valuable reps this fall and use his talents to play sideline to sideline football from the ILB position, the UND defense may able to adequately fill the Ratelle void.

We don’t think there is any question Rodgers has the physical talent and skill set to succeed at ILB.  The mental part is where we hope to see him grow and improve the first half of the season.  Shedding blockers, keeping his hat in the right gap, and finishing off his tackles will be the litmus test for him.

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