AMHERST – The number of UMass football alumni in the NFL increased by one this weekend. Former UMass cornerback Isaiah Rodgers was drafted in the 6^th round by the Indianapolis Colts this past Saturday. The Colts traded cornerback Quincy Wilson to the New York Jets in exchange for the 211^th-overall selection and used the newly acquired pick to take Rodgers.

Rodgers is expected to compete for the backup nickel cornerback job while carving out a spot on special teams, specifically as a returner. In his four years at UMass, Rodgers set program records in both total kick returns and kick return yardage. He capped off his senior season with 53 kickoff returns and 1,295 kickoff return yards, both of which led the country. After Rodgers ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, it seemed plausible that some NFL team would take a chance on him on the third and final day of the NFL draft.

Rodgers is now the third UMass football player to be taken in the NFL draft since 2016. That year, former UMass wide receiver Tajae Sharpe was drafted at the top of the 5^th round by the Tennessee Titans. After spending four years with the Titans, Sharpe signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this year.

And in last year’s draft, former UMass standout Andy Isabella was taken near the bottom of the 2^nd round by the Arizona Cardinals. Isabella recorded nine receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown during his rookie campaign.

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