When you talk about West Texas grit, you’re basically talking about Caleb Rogers. Honestly, it is rare to see a guy become a permanent fixture on a college football roster for five straight years without ever seemingly taking a play off. If you followed the Red Raiders over the last half-decade, #76 was the one constant in a sea of coaching changes, transfer portal madness, and Big 12 realignment.
Basically, Rogers wasn’t just a player; he was the bedrock of the Texas Tech offensive line.
What Most People Get Wrong About Caleb Rogers Texas Tech Career
Most casual fans look at a lineman and just see a big body. They see the 6'5", 310-pound frame and assume he’s just there to take up space. But with Caleb Rogers Texas Tech didn't just get a body; they got a tactical genius who played nearly every position on the line.
Think about that.
He started at left tackle. He moved to right tackle. By his "Super Senior" year in 2024, he was sliding inside to guard and even preparing for center duties. Most guys struggle to switch from the left side to the right side because it’s like trying to write with your non-dominant hand. Rogers did it while maintaining a streak of 55 consecutive starts. That is the second-most in program history, trailing only defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings. For an offensive lineman, that level of durability is almost unheard of in modern college football.
The 2024 Transition and the "Freak" Factor
Before his final season, Rogers was already a known commodity. But 2024 was different. He showed up on Bruce Feldman’s famous "Freaks List," which highlights the most insane athletes in college football. We’re talking about a 300-plus pounder who can clock a 5.1-second 40-yard dash.
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That athleticism is exactly why he was able to pivot so effectively.
During the 2024 campaign, he started all 13 games. He spent nine of those at right tackle, two at left guard, and one at right guard. He was the ultimate insurance policy. If someone got hurt, Rogers moved. If a matchup favored a heavier interior, Rogers moved. He finished that year as a Second-team All-Big 12 selection, finally getting the conference-wide respect that Lubbock locals had been shouting about for years.
The Path to the NFL: From Lubbock to Las Vegas
If you’ve been living under a rock, you might have missed where he ended up. After a dominant week at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he proved he could handle NFL-caliber power at the guard position, his draft stock solidified.
The Las Vegas Raiders saw exactly what the Red Raiders saw: versatility and a high football IQ.
They snagged him in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 98th overall pick. It was a move that made a ton of sense for a team needing a "plug-and-play" guy who doesn't need his hand held through a playbook.
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Why His NFL Rookie Season Was Such a Rollercoaster
Interestingly, his start in the pros wasn't all sunshine. By late 2025, there was a lot of chatter on social media and Raiders forums about his playing time. Some reports suggested he had a "bad practice" that led to him being a healthy scratch early in the season.
But football is a game of attrition.
When Jackson Powers-Johnson went on IR, Rogers finally got his shot at right guard. His first start? Going up against Quinnen Williams. Talk about a "welcome to the league" moment. By Week 14 and 15 of the 2025 season, he was putting up PFF grades that had him ranked as the highest-rated offensive lineman on the team for those specific games. He allowed only three sacks across nearly 300 snaps as a rookie—solid numbers for a guy transitioning to the speed of the NFL.
What Really Made Rogers Special at Texas Tech
It wasn't just the snaps. It was the leadership. Rogers was the only underclassman elected to the team captains circle back in 2021. Think about the locker room dynamic there. You have 22 and 23-year-old seniors looking up to a sophomore for direction.
He was the "vocal mauler."
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When the Red Raiders offense finished in the top 10 for total yards in 2024, it wasn't just because of the skill players. It was because the guy at the point of attack was a technical wizard. His hand usage is frequently cited by scouts as his best trait. He doesn't just push; he latches and drives.
- Starts: 55 consecutive (2nd all-time at TTU)
- Games Played: 61
- Honors: 2x All-Big 12
- Draft: Round 3, Pick 98 (2025)
Actionable Insights for Fans and Scouts
If you’re watching his tape or following his pro career, keep an eye on his footwork. He has a tendency to overextend his base occasionally, which is why some scouts thought he might struggle at tackle in the NFL. However, his move to guard has largely mitigated that. His "initial quicks," as the scouts call them, make him a nightmare on pulling plays.
For those following the Red Raiders today, the "Rogers Blueprint" is what the coaching staff looks for in the portal: high-volume starters with positional flexibility. He left a massive hole in that locker room that took multiple transfers to fill.
To truly understand his impact, look at the 2022 season. He played 1,107 offensive snaps—tied for the most on the team. He surrendered only two sacks over the final seven games of that year while playing left tackle, the most demanding spot on the line. That's the standard he set.
Keep an eye on his development in Las Vegas. He's currently signed through his rookie deal, and if his late-2025 performance is any indication, he’s moving from a "project" to a cornerstone of that interior line.