UNC Football: Khaliel Rodgers headed to Buffalo

On Tuesday, the North Carolina announced that former UNC offensive lineman Khaliel Rodgers accepted an invite to the Buffalo Bills rookie mini-camp.

Rodgers may be best remembered as briefly “retiring” before the season began, only to rejoin the team two weeks later. At the time, Larry Fedora said Rodgers was “taking care of some personal business.” Rodgers returned to play 12 games last season for UNC after transferring as a graduate student from the University of Southern California. He started the final 11 games at offensive guard.

While most will unfortunately remember his brief departure, UNC’s official website states that Rodgers was playing his best football towards the end of the season. His player bio page points out that he graded out at 85% at NC State and 90% in the win against Pittsburgh. In a season full of season-ending injuries, Rodgers’ ability to contribute for all 12 games was a bright spot for the Heels.

Other UNC players who have accepted invites to rookie mini-camps despite not being drafted are Donnie Miles and Cam Dillard (Atlanta Falcons), R.J. Prince (Green Bay Packers), Bentley Spain (New York Jets) and Dajaun Drennon (New York Giants). Cayson Collins signed as an UDFA with the Miami Dolphins.