XFL Draft: Orlando Guardians Select ELF All-Star DB Justin Rogers

| American Football | 11/18/2022

The Orlando Guardians selected defensive back Justin Rogers with the 67th pick in the open phase of the XFL Draft.

The two-time European League of Football All-Star now looks to take his talents back to the US in the new spring professional league.

This past season, Rogers was a standout for the runner-up Hamburg Sea Devils. In 12 games, Rogers made 37 tackles, three tackles for a loss, five interceptions, and nine pass breakups. A special teams menace, the 5’11”, 195 pound defender blocked three kicks and totalled 332 return yards, averaging 16 yards a punt return.

In 2021, The 24-year-old was a key part of Sea Devils defense making 42 tackles, five tackles for a loss, five interceptions, and one fumble recovery. On special teams, the Los Angeles, California native was one of the league’s best return men taking back three punt returns for scores along with one kick return touchdown, amassing 1,174 return yards on the season.

Before coming to Europe, Rogers was a standout performer for the UTEP Miners (NCAA D1) and in 47 games over four years he amassed 182 tackles and six interceptions. In his senior year alone (2019), he recorded 73 tackles which included two 10-tackle games.

Rogers now joins the third iteration of the XFL looking to kick off this spring. Rogers will be coached by Terrell Buckley as part of the Orlando Guardians franchise.

The Guardians also picked up former international player in tight end and long snapper Tommy Auger. Auger played tight end for the Cineplex Blue Devils in Austria in 2021 and was college teammates with ELF quarterback Jackson Erdmann.

Other notable players the Guardians selected include former Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois, former Detroit Lion Dee Virgin, and Fan Controlled-Football star receiver Andrew Jamiel.

Watch Roger’s 2021 ELF Highlights here 

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and