38 days away from college football kickoff

We are 38 Days Away From College Football Kickoff. You know what day it is…. HAPPY HUMP DAY! Today, we have George Rogers a South Carolina Gamecock and Roy Williams a Oklahoma Sooner. Two more talented college football players. Be sure to check back tomorrow as we tackle #37 in our countdown to kickoff. Enjoy!

George Rogers (38) Days Away From College Football Kickoff

George Rogers became the first player from South Carolina to win the Heisman Trophy. He led the nation in rushing and ran for over 100 yards in every game. Rogers grew up in Duluth, Georgia, and went to Duluth High School. As a junior in 1975, he set a school record by rushing for 2,286 yards. In his senior year, he was heavily recruited and chose South Carolina because coach Jim Carlen promised he could play right away. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, many thought he would play fullback, but after two running backs graduated, Rogers became the starting tailback midway through his freshman year. As a freshman, Rogers rushed for 623 yards. The next year, he gained 1,006 yards while sharing playing time with Johnnie Wright. In his junior year, Rogers broke out nationally by running for 1,681 yards and scoring eight touchdowns, which earned him All-American honors. As a senior, Rogers ran his 100-yard rushing streak to 21 games, totaling a nation-best 1,781 yards while scoring 14 touchdowns. South Carolina finished 8-3 and earned a berth in the Gator Bowl. Rogers was a unanimous All-American selection and beat out Hugh Green and Herschel Walker for the Heisman. Rogers was the first overall pick in the 1981 NFL draft. He played for the New Orleans Saints and later joined the Washington Redskins, where he helped the team win a Super Bowl in 1988, then he retired from the NFL. To give back, Rogers started the George Rogers Foundation of the Carolinas, where he serves as CEO and President. The foundation helps first-generation college students and supports youth development organizations in the community.

Another Great #38, Roy Williams, Oklahoma

Roy Williams made history as the first player to win both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Jim Thorpe Award in the same year. He was a key leader for Oklahoma, helping the team win the 2000 national title and finish with a 31-7 record over his three seasons.

Williams was a unanimous First Team All-American in 2001 and started 31 games for Oklahoma, finishing his college career with 287 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, nine interceptions, and 44 pass deflections. As team captain in 2001, he led the Sooners to an 11-2 record and a 10-3 victory over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, where he made six tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks to earn Defensive MVP honors. That season, he was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, won both the Nagurski and Thorpe awards, and finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting—the highest spot for a non-quarterback in 2001. In 2000, Williams helped the Sooners win the Big 12 title, achieve their first 13-win and undefeated season since 1987, and secure the BCS National Championship with a 13-2 win over Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

In 1999, Coach Bob Stoops began his first season at Oklahoma, and Williams helped the team finish 7-5 and earn a spot in the Independence Bowl, ending a four-year postseason drought. Williams was a two-time First Team All-Big 12 pick and made a lasting mark in Oklahoma football history with a famous play in the 2001 Red River Showdown. He leaped over defenders to knock the ball from Texas quarterback Chris Simms, allowing OU’s Teddy Lehman to score a touchdown. That play secured a 14-3 win for Oklahoma and earned Williams the nickname “Superman” for his airborne effort.

Williams was chosen eighth overall in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He played for Dallas from 2002 to 2008, then for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2009 to 2010. He made five straight Pro Bowls from 2003 to 2007 and was named First Team All-Pro in 2003.

Williams is active in the community and started the Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation to help low-income single mothers. The Roy Williams Strength and Speed Complex at Oklahoma is named after him, and he is also a member of the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. Editor’s Note: The countdown to college football kickoff has been a series on the Last Word on College Football social media platforms for the past 9 years. They consisted of a photo and a small blurb for each player, with the jersey corresponding to the number of days until kickoff. The rank of the players is sourced from articles by Bleacher Report, Fox Sports, and The Athletic. There are also some favorite players of the Last Word on College Football writers. Their bios are sourced from multiple online sources, including but not limited to the College Football Hall of Fame, their Heisman profiles, and school websites.

Main Photo: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports